Safety: Protecting Your Personal Information

While searching for a job, it's important to keep your personal information safe. 

Employers should not ask you for any personal information (e.g. social security number, banking information, etc.) prior to you accepting a job offer. 

If you believe your personal information has been compromised, here are a few steps you should immediately take:

 1. Flag the employer (if they are in Handshake). Flagging the employer will alert our Trust & Safety team so they can review and take appropriate action. For more information, refer to Safety: Flagging an Employer on Handshake.

2. Report to local police. Police are responsible for reviewing incidents (regardless of whether the scam artist is local or not.) 

3. Contact your Bank: If you have sent money to a fraudulent employer, immediately contact your bank or credit card company to protect the account and dispute any charges

4. File a Report with the FTC: Please report the job scam to the Federal Trade Commission website. They are the nation's consumer protection agency, which collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft. 

Note: once a report is filed, the information will go directly to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, and is shared with law enforcement professionals. 

5. Report it to your school. Contact your Career Services Center immediately if you believe you have been scammed.