Avoiding Deceptive Practices

Several red flags 🚩and unethical practices that can harm your professional reputation and relationships with recruiters and companies. Let's break down each one: 𝟏. 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: • This can lead to a waste of resources for the companies involved, as they may have invested time and effort in the recruitment process. • It reflects lack of integrity and honesty and can damage your professional reputation. 𝟐. 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲: • This behavior is highly unprofessional and disrespectful to the company and the individuals involved in the hiring process. • It can tarnish your image and make it difficult to be considered for future opportunities with those companies. 𝟑. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: • Lack of communication can be seen as a sign of irresponsibility and lack of commitment. • It's essential to maintain open and honest communication with recruiters, even if your circumstances change. 𝟒. 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: • This is a breach of trust and can have legal implications, depending on the nature of the commitment. • It damages your professional credibility and makes it challenging to build trust with future employers. 𝟓. 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐓𝐂 (𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲): • Providing inaccurate information about your compensation can lead to serious consequences, including termination if discovered after joining. • It undermines trust with the employer and can damage your professional reputation in the industry. To build a successful and sustainable career, it's crucial to prioritize honesty, integrity, and professionalism throughout the job search and employment process. If circumstances change or if you receive multiple offers, it's better to communicate openly with recruiters and employers rather than resorting to actions that can harm your reputation. Clear and honest communication is key to maintaining a positive professional image.

THIS TYPE OF MARKETING ALWAYS BACKFIRES. I know you want to make money, I know the bills need to be paid, I know business must grow. But… Never arrive at that place where you mislead people with your marketing because you want to make SALES. Never arrive at that place where you LIE and use FALSE CLAIMS simply because you want to sell your market. Never arrive at that place where you make false promises because you want people to jump on your offers. It will always backfire. See ehh… If you lie to make a sale, you will keep lying to stay in business. Will you make money? Yes you will!!! But is that sustainable? I don't know, but you can ask those who were using fake screenshots to market their offers. Are they still in business? I'm not dragging them, I know they didn't know better. If they did they would have done better. What am I trying to say? If you want to last in business, avoid DECEPTIVE MARKETING. You're selling a weight loss product, but the reviews you're showing us were gotten from Google. You place a before and after on your socials that wasn't gotten from your products. You tell your customers that they will lose 20 pounds within one week, but they've been using it for three weeks now, they are still in the process. How about when you didn't tell your customers that there were hidden fees after this one they paid for, but your copy said, no hidden fees. How about when you say get this product for free, but they still had to pay a token for the product. You promised your students plenty of things before they paid for your course, now the story is different. You gave us what we ordered versus what we got… Hmmmm, Charlie… This is DECEPTIVE MARKETING!!! It always backfires ooh. I know you didn't know that some of your marketing efforts were DECEPTIVE. Here's what to do to avoid it!!! ✓ Be Honest and transparent: Tell us the koko about your products and services, don't make false claims. Clearly communicate all we would get. ✓ Under-promise and over deliver: Don't give too much big talk. Make a credible promise and blow our mind when we get on the job with you. ✓ Avoid using fake reviews: I know you don't have testimonials yet. But you can offer your services or products for free. This would help you get real life testimonials. ✓ Back your claims with real evidence: If you must make specific claims about your business, make sure they are backed by evidence. ✓ Do not lie in your marketing: Always ensure your Yes is Yes and your No is No. Sell the dream, but don't sell us with the dream. ✓ Don't tell us what your products cannot do: You said your products can clear pimples in three days. Omo! This is the third week with no visible changes. In all, have EMPATHY and FEAR GOD. If these two are in place you won't be lying up and down in your MARKETING. Thank You!!! #naijabrandchick

Ghost jobs are corporate catfishing. Posting positions with no intent to hire damages candidate trust AND your employer brand. Here's how to build talent pipelines authentically: Companies are increasingly posting phantom jobs for a variety of reasons: - Building a "talent pipeline" for theoretical future needs - Boosting SEO and social media follower counts - Creating an illusion of growth for investors and competitors - Meeting internal policy requirements to post jobs publicly Some of these are deceptive to begin with, but some are totally valid goals. The problem is, real people with real hopes and dreams are on the receiving end of this corporate sleight of hand. For job seekers, the consequences are far from theoretical: - Wasted time on applications that were doomed from the start - Emotional toll of unexplained rejection and ghosting - Shattered confidence after multiple "failures" with jobs that were never available Building Brand Value vs. Burning Bridges Here's what's truly baffling: companies think they're being clever, but they're actually damaging their reputation among the very talent they hope to attract. Think of it like this: Marketers wouldn't create fake product pages to attract customers "just in case" you might sell that item someday. So why do it with jobs? Build a genuine employer brand instead. Smart companies are taking cues from inbound marketing: - Create authentic content about your workplace culture - Showcase employee stories and genuine growth - Build relationships with potential candidates before you need them - Maintain transparency about actual hiring timelines When you eventually do have real openings, you'll attract candidates who are already aligned with your values and excited about your company—no deception required. Let's normalize some basic decency in hiring: 1. Only post jobs you're actively hiring for 2. Be clear about timelines in job descriptions 3. Create "talent community" pages instead of fake listings 4. Respond to all applicants, even with automated messages By treating potential employees with the same respect you'd give customers, you'll build a reputation that attracts top talent naturally. The job market is challenging enough without companies adding artificial obstacles. It's time to stop gaslighting candidates and start building authentic relationships instead.

I’ve spent more 10+ years helping behavioral health and SUD leaders protect their reputations—and sometimes rebuild them. I’ve seen some stuff folks: The well-meaning provider who didn’t vet their marketing agency. The investor who overlooked a shady lead-gen funnel and lax compliance protocols during due diligence. The care team delivering great outcomes overshadowed by bad actors in the space. So when I saw the FTC’s latest lawsuit (nice reporting by Chris Larson) against a network accused of deceptive marketing, it wasn’t surprising. But it was still frustrating. Because every time a case like this breaks, it harms the trust that good providers and care navigators work so hard to earn. If you work in treatment, recovery, marketing, investing, or care navigation—here’s what matters now: 1. This isn’t just about ads. It’s about trust. What patients and families see online shapes what they believe about your care. If your ads are misleading or your call center buries disclosures, you’re not just risking a lawsuit—you’re undermining credibility with everyone who matters: regulators, referral sources, and the people you serve. 2. Accreditation is more than a badge—it’s a backbone. LegitScript, CARF, Joint Commission—these standards are critical. They are not just marketing talking points; they reflect deep work around clinical excellence, transparency, and compliance. If your partners aren’t aligned with them, that’s a red flag. 3. Investors: due diligence isn’t just financial, it’s reputational. The FTC named specific individuals in this case. If you’re looking at a treatment business, your diligence should go beyond spreadsheets. Understand the marketing footprint. Know the leadership team’s history. And yes, loop in experienced PR pros before the deal closes, not just before or (wince), after the headlines hit. 4. Storytelling starts with truth-telling. Your strongest narrative doesn’t come from a flashy campaign; it comes from your patients, your staff, your clinical data, your ethics. Consistency across intake, treatment, discharge, and follow-up builds a brand that lasts. 5. The referral industry has made real progress, but it’s still vulnerable. I work with care navigators and digital health partners who follow the highest legal and ethical standards. These are the folks we should be lifting up. The entire sector benefits when we spotlight ethical options—and push out the shady players who risk it all for short-term wins. 6. Your brand is only as strong as your weakest link. One deceptive ad, one misaligned vendor, one misleading landing page can do immense damage. If you’re growing fast, be even more cautious. Protect the reputation you’re building. TL/DR: ➡️ If you’re serious about helping people recover, your business model should reflect it at every level. ➡️ Be transparent. Stay compliant. Lead with integrity. ➡️ Build a story your stakeholders will be proud to stand behind.

I have witnessed many forms of financial exploitation, but few as egregious as the case recently decided in the Hong Kong High Court. A retired, elderly woman was systematically defrauded of over HK$71 million across three years by individuals who exploited her isolation and trust. The orchestrator of the scheme posed as a successful financial professional and quickly cultivated a “godmother-goddaughter” relationship, preying on the victim’s loneliness and desire for connection. Through a combination of false investment opportunities, forged documents, and continuous emotional manipulation, the fraudsters extracted payments under the guise of legal fees, taxes, and investment requirements. The fraud escalated over time. Even after the principal perpetrator was imprisoned for related offences, the deception continued via letters and accomplices, maintaining the illusion and pressure on the victim. The scheme only unraveled when the victim’s daughter intervened and alerted authorities. This case demonstrates several critical warning signs for professionals and families: - Sudden secrecy or reluctance to discuss new financial arrangements - Isolation from friends or family - Pressure to act quickly or keep matters confidential - Complex or implausible explanations for financial transactions - Gradual but escalating requests for money It is essential for advisers, fiduciaries, and family members to remain vigilant to these risk factors, especially when working with elderly or vulnerable individuals. Building strong, genuine relationships and fostering open communication are the best defenses against such manipulation. Financial literacy and regular check-ins with trusted professionals can help prevent tragedies of this nature. Ultimately, this case is a stark reminder that financial fraud is often rooted in emotional vulnerability rather than ignorance or greed. As professionals, our duty extends beyond technical advice to safeguarding the well-being and dignity of those we serve.

Fake ads and e-commerce scams are a year-round problem, but during the holidays, when consumers are overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling the pinch of seasonal spending, they can be particularly vulnerable to these schemes.  As the name suggests, fake ad scams use deceptive advertisements to trick users into clicking malicious links, visiting fraudulent websites, installing malware, or buying counterfeit or non-existent products. These ads pop up as you’re browsing legitimate websites, promising name-brand products at steep discounts or issuing fake security alerts that warrant software updates. Surprise! Before you know it, you’ve shelled out money for a handbag that will never arrive, given your credit card details to cybercriminals, or unwittingly installed malware with your new “software update.”  Advanced AI has made it easier than ever for scammers to create convincing fake websites on a large scale.  And because scammers exploit trusted advertising networks, fake ads are everywhere – on search engines, on trusted websites, and in social media feeds. Here are some ways you can avoid falling for them: 𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 – As is the case with other scams, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. You may think you’re getting an amazing deal on those designer shoes, but the only “steal” will be coming from your bank account.  𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 – If you’re unsure if an online store is legitimate, do your due diligence. Look up the name of the retailer and website with the search term “scam.” Trust your instinct if something feels off.  𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗽-𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗱𝘀 – Be especially suspicious of ads or system notifications about security updates. Time-sensitive, urgent alerts should be an instant red flag. Note: Microsoft and other legitimate organizations will never include a phone number in a system alert. 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝗥𝗟𝘀 – Look for typos, missing https indicators, or weird extra words in the domain. At Microsoft, we’ve taken steps to combat e-commerce fraud across our entire ecosystem, using agentic AI and LLMs to detect and remove malicious ads in real time across all our platforms. This includes malicious ad blocking, warnings for suspicious sites, and phishing and malware site detection all built into Edge. Thanks to this secure-by-design approach, we blocked over $𝟰 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 in overall fraud attempts and removed more than 1 billion harmful or deceptive ads last year.  This season, don’t let the perfect gift become the perfect grift – slow down, do your research, and think before you click!  #FakeAds #Ecommerce #Malvertising #TisTheSeasonForScams 

Unethical Hiring Practices: Red Flags Job Seekers Shouldn't Ignore In today’s competitive job market, candidates invest time, energy, and hope into the hiring process. Unfortunately, not every organization reciprocates this effort ethically. I want to highlight some unethical hiring practices so job seekers can spot red flags and make informed decisions about where to invest their time and talent. 🚩 Ghosting Candidates: A candidate invests hours preparing for an interview, only to never hear back, despite promises of updates. This shows a lack of respect for the candidate’s time and effort. 🚩 Misleading Job Descriptions: Some companies lure candidates with roles that promise strategic responsibilities but deliver mundane tasks once the candidate is onboarded. Always ask detailed questions about the role during interviews. 🚩 Excessive Rounds of Interviews Without Progress: When a hiring process drags on with endless interviews but no clear feedback or timeline, it could indicate indecisiveness or a lack of respect for the candidate’s time. 🚩 Overpromising and Underdelivering on Compensation: Some companies make grand promises about pay, bonuses, or perks but significantly backtrack when it’s time to sign the offer. Always get everything in writing. 🚩 Unclear Reporting Lines or Job Role Ambiguity: If the organization struggles to explain who the role reports to or what success looks like, it could be a sign of internal disarray or lack of genuine need for the position. 🚩 No Respect for Boundaries or Privacy: Questions about marital status, age, religion, or personal life are not only unprofessional but also illegal in many regions. Know your rights and call out inappropriate questions. 🚩 Unethical Practices in Background Checks: Calling your current employer without your consent or using deceptive methods to gather information about you are red flags. What Should You Do? ✔️ Research the company on platforms like Glassdoor or LinkedIn. ✔️ Speak to current or past employees if possible. ✔️ Trust your instincts, if something feels off, it probably is. To my network: Have you encountered any of these unethical practices or others? Let’s create awareness and hold organizations accountable for fostering fairness and respect during the hiring process. Your experience could help someone avoid a negative experience. #EthicalHiring #JobSearch #CareerGrowth

Every Muslim should know these 6 principles of selling: Imam al Ghazali, the great 12th-century theologian, jurist and mystic, differentiates between those who conduct business with justice and those who go beyond that and strive for excellence. He proposes 6 ways we can sell with ethics and spirituality: 🔵 Don’t praise your product more than it deserves. This would be misrepresentation and deception. Be honest - although there is no harm in being charming, warm and friendly, that’s part of being good at business. 🔵 Do not conceal any defects in your products If you have issues with your product, state them and let your customer know that you are working on fixing it. “Whenever he displays the best side of the cloth or shows it in a dimly lighted place so that it will appear better (than it is), or displays the better of a pair of shoes or stockings, he is a tyrant and a scoundrel.” 🔵 Do not provide less than what you’ve been paid for We would do well to apply the phrase “underpromise and overdeliver,” in our businesses. Imam al Ghazali expands on this: “It was the custom of the forefathers that when they received, they would accept half a grain less and when they gave, they would give half a grain more. They would say: “The half-grain is a veil between us and hell,” for they feared they could not measure accurately. And they would say: “The person is a fool who would sell Paradise, with a breadth many times greater than the seven heavens and earth, for half a grain!” 🔵 Taking advantage of people’s lack of knowledge of the market The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prohibited intercepting caravans before they reach the market. This practice involves a buyer going out to meet a caravan that is bringing goods to the market, and buying those goods at a lower price by concealing the actual market rates in the city. This is deceptive because the seller in the caravan is unaware of the true value of their goods in the city's market. 🔵 Cancel a transaction if one has second thoughts after buying it Imam al Ghazali says this isn’t obligatory, but it’s a highly ethical thing to do. In today’s terms, this could be creating adequate time for a refund period. The point here is that if someone feels dissatisfied or uncomfortable with their decision, you should not look the other way. 🔵 Selling to the poor on credit In other words, if someone can’t afford something, give them time to pay. Don’t demand the payment, especially if they are not well-to-do and with little means. If the debtor dies, forgive the debt. Imam al Ghazali said that virtuous entrepreneurs don’t even keep a log of transactions where the poor owe them money, and getting payment from them should be considered a bonus. Source: Al Ghazali, On Earning a Living and Trade, Book 13 of the Ihya PS - I have a weekly newsletter on spirituality and business. Join here: https://lnkd.in/eqtTRCPM #SpiritualityofBusiness

This week, let's get into how to keep your search safe! Part 5 of 6: Strategies to Identify and Avoid Recruiting Scams Equipped with knowledge of scam types, job seekers can employ targeted strategies to identify and evade them. Key red flags include unsolicited offers, especially those promising high pay with little effort or experience. Legitimate recruiters rarely initiate contact without an application; thus, verify any outreach by contacting the company directly through official channels, avoiding provided numbers or emails. Pressure tactics, such as demands for immediate decisions or payments, signal fraud. Authentic hiring processes involve multiple stages, including formal interviews and reference checks; beware of opportunities conducted entirely via text or messaging apps without video confirmation. Generic communications from non-corporate emails (e.g., @gmail.com instead of @company.com) or profiles lacking verifiable history and connections are suspect. Additionally, requests for unusual payment methods, like gift cards or cryptocurrency, are definitive warnings. To avoid these pitfalls, conduct thorough research: Visit the employer's official website to confirm job postings and cross-check details. Utilize review sites like Glassdoor or Trustpilot for insights into company practices. Tools such as WHOIS domain lookups can reveal the age and ownership of suspicious websites, while reverse image searches help detect stolen profile photos used by imposters. Protect personal data by limiting what you share until trust is established; for example, redact sensitive information from initial resumes. Enhance online security with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on job search accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Privacy settings on platforms like LinkedIn can restrict visibility to unverified users. Stay informed on evolving threats by following updates from authoritative sources, such as the Federal Trade Commission or cybersecurity firms like Norton. Joining professional networks or forums can provide community vigilance against emerging scams. In essence, a combination of diligence, verification, and skepticism forms the cornerstone of safe job hunting, significantly minimizing exposure to these pervasive threats in the modern job market. At Locus Robotics we empower people with the tools and knowledge to make smart, safe choices every day. Learn more at our #careers page at locusrobotics.com/careers!