What are common LinkedIn scams?

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform used by over 700 million users worldwide. Like any popular site, LinkedIn is also targeted by scammers looking to take advantage of users. Being aware of common LinkedIn scams can help you avoid falling victim to fraudsters.

Job Scams

One of the most common scams on LinkedIn involves fake job postings. Here’s how it usually works:

• You receive an unsolicited message about an exciting job opportunity.
• The job description sounds vague or too good to be true.
• You are asked to contact someone outside of LinkedIn to continue the hiring process.
• You may be “hired” and sent a fake check, told to purchase equipment or supplies, or asked to share personal information.

These are all red flags of a job scam. Legitimate companies will not hire you without an application or interview, promise vague or highly lucrative roles, or communicate solely outside of LinkedIn. Be wary of anyone asking for upfront fees, personal details like bank accounts or SSNs, or requiring you to cash checks or transfer funds on their behalf.

Business Proposal Scams

Scammers may also disguise themselves as potential business partners or investors. Here are some warning signs:

• They contact you unexpectedly about a proposal or investment opportunity.
• Details about their company are vague or cannot be verified.
• They ask you to pay fees upfront in order to secure the deal.
• They want to communicate via email or text rather than through LinkedIn.
• They use high-pressure tactics to get you to act quickly.

Real investors will not ask for fees upfront. Be skeptical of unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true or push you to act fast. Do your research before entering into any business deals with strangers.

Romance Scams

While less common, scammers may try striking up a friendship or romance with LinkedIn users for nefarious purposes. Tactics include:

• Messaging you out of the blue to compliment your looks and personality.
• Claiming to have common interests or connections.
• Professing strong feelings quickly and talking about the future.
• Coming up with stories to ask you for money or personal details.

Be wary of anyone who seems overly affectionate without knowing you. Never send money or share personal details with someone you haven’t met in person, no matter how convincing their story.

Investment Scams

Fake investment opportunities also pop up on LinkedIn. Watch for:

• Offers of guaranteed high returns with little to no risk.
• Pressure to invest quickly or risk missing out.
• Requests to send money upfront for taxes, fees, or other reasons.
• Queries about personal finances or encouragement to take out loans or use retirement funds.

Any legitimate investment will not promise unrealistic returns without risk or require you to pay fees upfront. Never make an investment based solely on a LinkedIn message—do your own research first.

Recruitment Fraud

Some scammers impersonate recruiters and HR professionals to harvest resumes and personal information. Warning signs include:

• A message asking about your job search or offering to submit your resume for openings.
• Requests for personal details like bank account numbers, SSNs, scans of IDs.
• Poor grammar, spelling, or lack of a LinkedIn profile photo.
• Vague details about the hiring company.

Real recruiters will not ask for sensitive information upfront. Carefully vet anyone offering recruiting services before sharing your resume or personal details.

Multi-Level Marketing Pitches

LinkedIn is used heavily by multi-level marketing (MLM) companies and recruiters. Tactics to watch for include:

• Messages inviting you to learn about a “great business opportunity.”
• Vague descriptions using phrases like “financial freedom” or “be your own boss.”
• Encouragement to sign up and/or purchase “starter kits” or inventory to start selling.
• Emphasis on recruiting other people under you.

MLMs often exaggerate potential earnings and focus heavily on recruitment over actual sales. Proceed with caution if you receive suspicious invites—many MLMs have predatory business structures or high fees.

Fake Profiles

Some scammers create fake LinkedIn profiles with made-up credentials to appear legitimate. Things to look for:

• Little to no content or connections.
• Profile photo looks like a stock image.
• Listed job titles don’t match work experience.
• Education or credentials cannot be verified.

Carefully vet anyone who contacts you by checking for endorsements, shared connections, and verifiable details. A lack of content or discrepancies are red flags of a fake account.

How to Avoid LinkedIn Scams

Here are some best practices for avoiding scams on LinkedIn:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages, especially those asking for personal or financial information.
• Vet anyone offering jobs, investment opportunities, business proposals, etc. Don’t take claims at face value—do your research.
• Never pay any fees upfront for offers related to jobs, business deals, loans, or investments.
• Use LinkedIn’s blocking and reporting tools if someone seems suspicious. LinkedIn will investigate fraud accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication on your account for extra security.
• Be cautious sharing personal contact information. Chat within LinkedIn as much as possible.

With vigilance and common sense, you can avoid falling prey to LinkedIn scammers. Pay attention to red flags, do your due diligence, and don’t be afraid to ignore or report suspicious accounts.

Reporting LinkedIn Scams

If you encounter any scams or fraud attempts on LinkedIn, report them right away:

1. Go to the profile of the suspicious account.
2. Click the “More” icon (three dots) and select “Report/Block.”
3. Choose the option for “Report this profile” and select a reason like “Fake account” or “Scam.”
4. Provide any additional details in the text box.
5. Click submit.

You can also report suspicious LinkedIn messages:

1. In your LinkedIn messages, locate the concerning message.
2. Click the “More” icon (three dots).
3. Select “Report.”
4. Choose a reason like “Fraud” or “Spam.”
5. Add any details and submit.

Reporting scams helps LinkedIn locate and remove fraud accounts quickly to prevent others from being targeted.

Conclusion

LinkedIn scams are unfortunately common due to the platform’s popularity and business focus. However, being aware of the tactics used by fraudsters can help you steer clear of traps. Legitimate companies and contacts will not ask you for sensitive information or fees upfront. Carefully vet any unsolicited offers, do your own research, and don’t be afraid to hit the report button on shady accounts. Staying vigilant and using common sense are your best defenses against LinkedIn scammers.