- Scammers are targeting job applicants, and younger workers are most at risk
- Despite awareness, LinkedIn says younger workers are just desperate for a job
- Most attacks move away from trusted platforms to personal messaging apps
New LinkedIn data has claimed Gen Z workers are more vulnerable to job scams despite increasing awareness – around one in three (32%) admit ignoring scam warning signs because of how rare it's becoming to be able to find a suitable job.
As a result, 40% of Gen Z workers have fallen for a job scam, compared with just 27% of older Gen X workers.
All in all, around three-quarters (72%) of applicants now stop to consider job post legitimacy before applying and over half (57%) are more suspicious than they were a year ago.
Younger workers are falling victim to job scams
"Younger job‑seekers aren't being careless, they're under pressure," LinkedIn's Trust Product VP Oscar Rodriguez explained. "When opportunities feel scarce, it's harder to slow down and scrutinise every interaction."
LinkedIn also noted Gen Z workers would be 30% less likely to question random recruiter calls compared with Gen X workers, while the younger generation is also less likely to question being pressured into making a quick decision.
However, while scammers are targeting prospective workers, the recruitment platform did share some telltale signs – one of which being that attackers often move away from trusted platforms with built-in protections. Nine in 10 reported scam attempts directed users to personal messaging apps.
According to the report, the two riskiest times for applicants are when browsing through job listings, and during first contact from a recruiter.
Workers are therefore being advised to pause and assess if the process ever feels rushed of vague, or if the supposed recruiter moves them away from a trusted platform sooner.
As for LinkedIn, the company is committed to blocking fake accounts and scam messages before they reach the victim. The Microsoft-owned platform has also been actively pushing its verification tools for a number of months now, with a goal of verifying everyone with an account.
