Is That Houston Career Abroad Program Legit? Spotting Student Job Scams

Have you recently received an enticing email promising a fantastic work-from-home job opportunity, seemingly out of the blue? Especially if you are a student in Houston, you might be targeted by scams disguised as legitimate career programs. It’s crucial to be vigilant because not every job offer that lands in your inbox is genuine. Unfortunately, many of these are scams designed to steal your personal information or even your money.

Let’s examine a real-world example. Many students at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) have received emails similar to the one below. At first glance, it might seem like a great opportunity.

**Subject: JOB POSITION OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENT**

Dear Student,

I'm very happy to inform you about the job opportunity in conjunction with your school (The University of Houston-Downtown) we got your mail from your school data base. Our reputable company ( CiscoSystems Company) is running a student empowerment program. This program is to help the hardworking student to secure a work at home job, this will not stop you from your daily works and your school activities. All you need is jst an hour or two to carry out the job weekly. Your wages will be $350 USD per week.

Kindly get back to us with your PHONE NUMBER AND PERSONAL EMAIL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE JOB POSITION

PHONE NUMBER: PERSONAL EMAIL:

Regards

[Redacted] Recruiting Manager CiscoSystems

This email, while appearing to offer a flexible and well-paying student job, is actually a scam. Scammers often exploit publicly available UHD email addresses to target students, hoping to trick them into believing these fraudulent job offers. They aim to gather personal data and potentially involve unsuspecting students in illegal activities.

Red Flags: How to Identify a Job Scam Email

Before you get excited about a seemingly perfect job opportunity, take a moment to scrutinize the email. Here are key indicators that an email might be a job scam:

• Generic Email Address: Legitimate companies will always use their corporate email addresses. If the email is from a Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or similar generic account, be very suspicious. Universities and reputable career centers will verify that employers use official company emails.
• Mass Emailing: Genuine job offers are rarely sent as mass emails to multiple recipients. If you see that you are not the sole recipient, it’s a major red flag.
• Impersonal Greeting: A legitimate recruiter who found your information through a school database or job board will address you by name. Generic greetings like “Dear Student” or “Good Morning” are common in scam emails.
• Misleading Company Name: Scammers frequently use the names of well-known, legitimate companies to appear credible. However, they have no actual affiliation with these companies. Always independently verify the company’s existence and the sender’s connection to it.
• Request to Communicate via Text: Scammers often prefer text messaging because it’s harder to trace and document. Professional job offers are typically discussed via email for record-keeping and clarity.
• Immediate Request for Personal Information: Legitimate companies have official application processes, often through their websites. They will not ask for sensitive personal information upfront via email.
• Poor Grammar and Spelling: Scam emails are notorious for grammatical errors and typos. Reputable companies prioritize professional communication. Lack of attention to detail in writing is a significant warning sign.
• Missing Contact Information: Emails from legitimate Human Resources or Recruiting departments will always include a signature with the sender’s name, title, and company contact information. Lack of these details is suspicious.
• Links to Non-Official Websites: Be wary of emails asking you to click on links that are not associated with the official university career center or the supposed company’s website.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

If you receive an email exhibiting these characteristics, the best course of action is to delete it immediately. Do not respond or engage with the sender.

However, if you have already responded to a suspicious job offer and now fear it might be a scam, take these steps to protect yourself:

1. Report to University Security: Immediately notify your university’s information security department. For UHD, contact [email protected] or call 713-221-8638. Forward them the scam email and any communication you’ve had, including your PeopleSoft ID if you provided it.
2. Secure Your University Account: Enhance the security of your university accounts. Set up security questions for your PeopleSoft password and then reset both your PeopleSoft and general university account passwords.
3. File a Police Report: Report the scam to your university police department. For UHD, this is located at One Main Street, Suite N118, TX 77002, and they can be reached at 713-221-8065. Inform them that the Information Security department advised you to make the report.

Protect Yourself from Job Scams

Staying informed and cautious is your best defense against job scams. Always verify job opportunities through official university career services or by directly contacting the company through verified channels. Remember, if a job offer seems too good to be true, especially one that comes unsolicited via email, it very likely is. Protect your personal information and your financial well-being by being skeptical and proactive in identifying and reporting potential scams.