According to a survey by the Labour Force, Nigeria’s unemployment rate surged to 5.0 percent in the third quarter of 2023 from 4.2 percent in the previous quarter. It is disheartening to see scammers take advantage of this to exploit unemployed individuals. They are highly creative, making their schemes seem legitimate, which leads victims to lose time and money and, in some cases, have their details used for criminal activities. These scams take many shapes and can trick you easily. But with the right knowledge and precautions, you can greatly lower your chances of getting caught up in these dishonest schemes.

Employment scams can look like real job offers, but they're not. They come in different forms.

• Communication Channels: Scammers use job boards, social media, and unsolicited emails to post fake job offers or contact potential victims directly.
• Phased Approach: The scam begins with a job offer that requires the victim to pay for training materials, background checks, or placement fees. After payment, the job offer disappears.
• Identity Theft: Some scammers request sensitive information, like bank account details or NINs, under the guise of a job application, using this information for identity theft.
• Impersonation of Legitimate Companies: Scammers often use the names of well-known companies to add legitimacy to their offers, creating fake websites or email addresses that closely resemble the real ones.

Psychologica­l Tactics:

• Attractive Offers: Scammers promise high salaries, flexible work conditions, and other appealing benefits to lure job seekers.
• Urgency: Victims are often pressured to act quickly to secure the job, with limited time to think or verify the offer.
• Exclusivity: Scammers may claim the job is a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity, convincing victims they’ve been specially selected.

Impact on Victims:

• Financial Loss: Victims may lose money by paying for non-existent training, background checks, or placement services.
• Identity Theft: Personal information provided during the fake application process can be used for identity theft, leading to further financial harm.

Lost Opportunities: Victims may miss out on legitimate job opportunities while pursuing these scams.

If you've fallen victim to an employment scam, here are steps you should consider;

• Stop all communication with the scammer immediately. This includes ceasing any further correspondence via email, phone calls, or social media.
• Gather and document all evidence related to the scam, including emails, messages, job postings, payment receipts (if any), and any other relevant information. This documentation may be helpful when reporting the scam to authorities or seeking assistance.
• If you provided any financial information or made payments to the scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. Inform them of the situation and follow their instructions to protect your accounts and prevent further unauthorised transactions.
• Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit cards, and credit reports for any suspicious activity or unauthorised charges. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts to prevent identity theft.
• If you encounter a scam through an online job platform or website, report the fraudulent activity to the platform's administrators. They may take steps to remove the scammer's profile or job postings and prevent further victims from being targeted.

1. Protecting Others: Reporting scams helps prevent other people from falling victim to the same or similar schemes. It raises public awareness and educates others about the tactics used by scammers.
2. Assisting Law Enforcement: Your report can provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies, helping them track down and prosecute scammers. This can lead to the recovery of stolen funds and the dismantling of fraudulent operations.
3. Improving Public Safety: Reporting scams contributes to a safer community by making it harder for fraudsters to operate and exploit individuals.
4. Reducing Financial Losses: By reporting scams, you contribute to efforts to reduce the overall financial impact of fraudulent activities on society.
5. Empowering Victims: Reporting helps victims feel empowered and supported, knowing they are contributing to a collective effort to combat fraud.

Reporting a Scam Number on Truecaller

In addition to reporting scams to the authorities, you can also report suspicious phone numbers on Truecaller. Truecaller helps identify and block unwanted calls, including those from scammers. Reporting a scam number on Truecaller can help protect other users from falling victim to the same scam.

How to Report a Scam Number on Truecaller

1. Identify the Number: If you receive a call from a suspicious number, note it down or check your call history.
2. Open Truecaller: Launch the Truecaller app on your phone.
3. Search for the number: Use the search bar in Truecaller to look up or paste the scam number.
4. Report as a Scam: Once the number comes up, tap on "Report spam." Select if it is a “business” or “personal” number. Suggest a better name, leave a comment providing any additional details that can help other users identify the nature of the call, and finally select what type of spam it was: fraud, robocall, immigration, political, or an unwanted call. Choose the appropriate category, such as "Scam," "Fraud," or "Spam," and provide any additional details that can help other users identify the nature of the call.
5. Block the number: After reporting the number, you can also block it to prevent further calls.

Why Reporting Scam Numbers on Truecaller is Important

• Community Safety: Reporting scam numbers on Truecaller helps build a safer community by alerting others to potential scams. It allows users to avoid answering calls from known scammers.
• Prevents Fraud: By marking a number as fraudulent, you help reduce the likelihood of others being scammed, as they can see warnings and details provided by other users.
• Increases Awareness: Truecaller compiles data from user reports to identify and flag suspicious numbers, making it a valuable tool for raising awareness about current scams.
• Enhances App Effectiveness: User reports help Truecaller improve its spam detection algorithms and services, making the app more effective at identifying and blocking scam calls.

By reporting scam numbers on Truecaller and to the relevant authorities, you contribute to a collective effort to combat fraud and protect others in the community.

Job scams and employment scams are rampant, especially in our country, considering the high unemployment rate. Scammers exploit the vulnerability of job seekers, leading to financial losses and, in some cases, identity theft. By staying vigilant and following the steps outlined above, you can protect yourself from these fraudulent schemes. Always remember that legitimate job opportunities do not require upfront payments or involve dubious communication methods.

*The people mentioned are fictional but inspired by the true way the scam actually works!