Beware of WFH Scams! 5 Ways to Verify the Authenticity of Work-From-Home Opportunities

With the increase in Work-from-home opportunities in the country, there is also a significant rise in the scams and frauds related to it. It is vital to check the authenticity of the job offer and company before applying or providing personal information to scammers. 

Cyberdost, a cyber-safety and cybersecurity awareness handle maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, made a post on X (formerly Twitter) providing essential tips and ways to prevent job offer scams. The caption read, "Work from home opportunities can be tempting, but beware of scams. Always verify the legitimacy before committing!"

Below are 5 ways to check the authenticity of work-from-home job offers and prevent scams:

• Verify the legitimacy of the company. Research about it and check the official company website. Make sure it is professional and check reviews of the company online for a better idea. 
• Be cautious of unsolicited offers. Cross-check the job offer in several job portals. Be cautious as genuine companies seldom send job offers without a proper application process. 
• Never provide personal or financial information. Avoid sharing personal details such as location, bank information, date of birth, and others to avoid security breaches before verifying the legitimacy of the job offer. 
• Use secure communication channels. Make sure you are communicating through a secure and trusted communication channel. Always be informed about privacy settings in the communication platform. 
• Ask detailed questions. Do not hesitate to ask proper questions and try to get detailed answers about the company and the job offer. Make sure they use a legitimate payment platform for salaries and provide written documentation of employment and company policies.  

If you come across a fake online job offer, make sure you report it to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or dial 1930 for online fraud. 

Also Read: Fraudster poses as DGP, threatens people to scam money: J&K police take action

Also Read: What is the difference between Google Wallet and Google Pay? Everything you need to know