How to Confirm LinkedIn Account Authenticity

I've noticed a growing number of posts regarding scams, fake profiles, fake recruiters, and misleading job opportunities on LinkedIn. As a recruiter who genuinely enjoys assisting both candidates and employers, it's disheartening to see how prevalent this issue has become. Here are a few simple ways to verify people, emails, and opportunities before engaging: 🔹 Check Profiles Thoroughly Look for a work history that makes sense, endorsements, mutual connections, and consistent posting activity. Scammers often reuse stock photos or have vague timelines. 🔹 Validate Email Domains Legitimate recruiters typically use company email addresses. Be cautious of generic domains (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) unless you can independently confirm the person is a contractor or independent recruiter. 🔹 Search the Company Website If a recruiter claims to represent a company, check the company’s careers page or staff directory. You can also call the main office line to verify. 🔹 Look for Red Flags Requests for personal information too early, urgent messages, poor grammar, or opportunities that sound “too good to be true” often are. 🔹 Use LinkedIn and Google Searches Look up the person’s name, company, and any phone numbers or email addresses. Scam reports often come up quickly. 🔹 Trust Your Instincts If something feels off—pause. Legitimate professionals will never pressure you. This message is not intended to instill fear but to empower. There are many great recruiters, companies, and opportunities out there. A little extra caution can help keep everyone safe. If you ever have doubts or want a second opinion, I'm always happy to help. Happy Hunting!

⚠️ 𝗔 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻: Fake accounts pretending to be recruiters or specialists targeting people who are #opentowork. 📌 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲? – Random names with big company logos – Free emails (Gmail/Yahoo) – Promises of jobs that don’t exist (Global / Remote / Senior) – After connecting, they send you a file (PDF / RAR) with a so-called “job description” that’s actually malware or contains a malicious link → one click can compromise your device. 💡 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁:  • Stop and think  • Check when the profile was created (many are just a week old)  • Reverse image search the profile photo  • Look at follower counts and real engagement  • Don’t trust any attachment sent from non-verified accounts or free email domains  • Make sure any link leads to the company’s official domain  • Real job postings are always on the company’s official website - #CyberSecurity #Awareness #LinkedInSafety #ScamAlert #FakeProfiles #Malware

Fake job postings and profiles on LinkedIn are a growing issue, with scammers exploiting the platform’s trust to target job seekers. ✓ Here’s how to stay vigilant and spot these scams- • Postings Vague or Unrealistic Job Descriptions: Legitimate job postings include specific responsibilities, qualifications, and company details. Be wary of posts with generic language, unrealistically high salaries, or promises of rapid career advancement with minimal experience. For example, a job offering $250k/year for entry-level work is a red flag. • Suspicious Company Profiles: Check the company’s LinkedIn page. Authentic companies have active profiles with regular posts, a complete “About” section, a website link, and multiple employee connections. Fake profiles often have few followers, no recent activity, or missing details like a logo or physical address. • Requests for Sensitive Information Upfront: Scammers may ask for personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account information, or passport copies before an interview. Legitimate employers only request such information after a formal job offer. • No Interview or Unusually Fast Hiring: Be cautious if you’re offered a job without a proper interview process (phone, video, or in-person). Scammers may claim text or email exchanges suffice as an “interview” to avoid revealing their identity. • Grammatical Errors or Unprofessional Communication: Poorly written job posts or messages with spelling errors, excessive emojis, or overly pushy language (e.g., pressuring you to act quickly) are warning signs. Legitimate recruiters maintain professional communication. • Requests for Payment: Genuine employers never ask for money for applications, training, or equipment. Scammers may disguise fees as “mandatory” for securing a role or accessing job portals.Posts Encouraging • Comments or Likes: Job postings asking you to “like,” “comment,” or “say hi” to be considered are often scams or data-harvesting schemes. Real recruiters provide clear application instructions, like an email or link to a career page. ✓ How to Spot Fake LinkedIn Profiles: 1. Incomplete or Suspicious Profiles 2. Lack of Engagement 3. Impersonation of Legitimate Companies 4. Unverified Accounts ✓ What to Do If You Suspect a Scam: 1. Report to LinkedIn: Use the “Report this job” or “Report/Block” feature to flag fake postings or profiles. 2. Secure Your Accounts: If you clicked a suspicious link or shared information, update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and scan your device for malware. 3. Seek Professional Help 4. Contact Authorities Always verify job postings and profiles through independent research, and never share sensitive information prematurely. If you’re unsure about a job offer, feel free to share details with me, and I can help you assess its legitimacy. Stay cautious and good luck with your job search.

Job Seekers: Please Be Careful — Scam “Recruiters” Are Getting Smarter I want to share something important to help protect others in this tough job market. Over the past week, I’ve been contacted by multiple “recruiters” on LinkedIn who turned out to be fake. What kills me to most is their goal is simple: prey on people who are stressed, hopeful, and looking for work. And they’re getting more sophisticated. Here’s what happened: The recruiter "named" Darren Hammes (see image) reached out with a too-good-to-be-true opportunity. When I asked for a corporate email, he finally provided one: contact@globalhirehub.info — a domain that doesn’t belong to any real company and doesn’t match the employer he claimed to represent. His LinkedIn profile listed his employer as “Confidential,” had vague job history, and he used high-pressure tactics to push me off-platform. Today, another fake account tried the same pattern under the name of Ferris Steven MBA. I know to look at any recruiters profile to pass the snif test but not sure if others do. It is not ok for them to take advantage of people so I have to help educate you so you can spend your energy on the legit recruiters and make valuable connections. 🚩 Red Flags to Watch For - Recruiter refuses to provide a corporate email - Email domain doesn’t match the company - Employer listed as “Confidential” - No real work history, dates, or details - Low activity or generic motivational posts - Pushy or urgent tone - Wants to move the conversation off LinkedIn quickly Legitimate recruiters DON'T behave this way. 🛡️ How to Protect Yourself - Verify the email domain - Check the recruiter’s LinkedIn history and activity by clicking on their name and reviewing, then click on contact info. This will show the real details (see image) - Look for real company affiliation - NEVER share personal information early in the process - Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is 📣 If you encounter one of these accounts, here’s the note I use when reporting them: “This individual is impersonating a recruiter. He contacted me using a non-corporate email domain, refused to provide verifiable company information, and used high-pressure tactics consistent with known job-seeker scams. I am reporting this to protect others as well from potential fraud". LinkedIn appears to take the false accounts pretty seriously so everyone reporting will help us help each other. Most importantly.... If you are job searching right now, PLEASE stay vigilant. You deserve real opportunities, not predaotry behavior. And if you ever need a second set of eyes on a recruiter or message, please reach out - we are stronger when we look out for each other. YOU are worth more than you might be feeling right now. These imposters will get what is due to them eventually. Let's stay strong together!!!!

🔎 Seen a suspicious job posting? Protecting yourself takes just a few extra minutes. Here’s a simple workflow to verify opportunities and recruiters: 𝟭.  𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 - Ignore contact info in the job listing and go to the company’s official website. Check the Careers page to see if the job is posted, and apply directly. As an extra step, you can email HR about the suspicious message you received. 𝟮.  𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿’𝘀” 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 - Look for a full work history, connections, and reverse-image their photo if they seem suspicious. If it’s a new profile or has only a few connections, it’s likely fake. If it looks like the real deal, but the job info you’ve received is vague or too-good-to-be-true, they’ve probably stolen the profile. 𝟯.  𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 - Don’t dismiss your inner warning signals when someone sends you an “official” communication via Gmail, instead of a company email, or asks you to move to WhatsApp or Telegram. No legit recruiter will do that. 𝟰.  𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Real recruiters will NOT ask you to pay for a new resume, or for training, equipment, or background checks. Ever. 𝟱.  𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 - Two-factor authentication, unique passwords, and privacy controls go a long way. 𝟲.  𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 - Use LinkedIn’s “Report” feature, file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc[doc]gov, or the FBI’s IC3 site, and preserve the evidence (screenshots, emails, and message logs help authorities track scammers). A few minutes of verification now can save you thousands later. Share these tips with your network and keep your job search safe.  .

Too good to be true? It might be. We’re seeing a rise in AI-generated responses during interviews, and many fake LinkedIn profiles that look polished on the surface but fall apart under closer scrutiny. If you’re hiring, here are some practical ways to spot red flags early and protect the integrity of your process 👇 🧠 LinkedIn Profile Red Flags: Profile photo: No image, AI-generated avatars, or stock-style photos where the face is unclear. Work history: Big-name companies with no mutual connections, short stints, or odd combinations of roles and locations. Activity & connections: Little engagement, few first-degree connections. Inconsistencies: LinkedIn and CV don’t match. Job descriptions feel too vague or generic. Language issues: Unnatural phrasing or awkward tone. Education & credentials: Unverifiable institutions or vague details. Location: Listed residence doesn’t line up with job locations, or keeps changing without explanation. No indication on their profile that they have ever lived outside the US, and yet they have a heavy accent and their English isn't fluent. 🎤 During the Interview: If something feels off, trust that instinct. Here’s how I dig deeper: Rephrase your questions. AI tools can mimic common answers but struggle with nuance. Watch for delays. A 3+ second pause or overly polished answers in unusual English patterns can be a giveaway. Look for distraction. Are their eyes darting? Is there a delay between lighting shifts on screen (suggesting screen flipping)? Ask for real experience. Focus on deep, emotional, or personal stories that only come from lived experience. If you suspect AI use, ask directly: “Are you using any tools to assist with your responses?” “I’m noticing a delay—are you referencing notes or a document?” Also: Ask them to turn on their camera (and if it’s “broken,” ask them to switch to their phone). If it’s clear they’re using AI or are faking their identity: End the interview respectfully: “We value authenticity in our process, and the use of AI during interviews impacts our ability to assess your skills. We won’t be moving forward, but we appreciate your time and interest.” Or, if needed: “I don’t feel you are being 100% authentic in your answers, and I’m going to end this interview.” Hiring is hard enough without having to be a detective. But a few extra steps can go a long way in keeping your process human—and fair. #recruitment #interviewtips #AI #linkedin #techrecruiting #recruiterlife #hiringtips #trusttheprocess

LinkedIn's "About this profile" feature just became your best defense against fake candidates. (Most founders don't know this exists.) Click "More" then "About this profile" on any LinkedIn profile. You can see when they joined LinkedIn and when they last updated their information. If someone claims 10 years of experience but their LinkedIn profile was created in 2025, that's a problem. Other LinkedIn tells: - Zero "More profiles for you" suggestions (LinkedIn usually shows colleagues) - Profile age doesn't match claimed experience - Missing verification information in the "About this profile" section Pro tip: LinkedIn actually does decent verification through their "Clear ID" system for identity and email verification for education. Look for verified badges. The fake profile creators are getting better, but they still can't fake LinkedIn's backend verification systems. Simple checks like this can save you hours of interviews with people who aren't who they claim to be.

There is a fake LinkedIn profile impersonating me. If you received a connection request from “Melissa Aarskaug” in Round Rock, Texas that is not me. Please ignore and report it.🙏🏻 This is exactly the kind of social engineering attack I talk about on stages and to clients about. Impersonation on professional platforms is one of the most underestimated threat vectors in cybersecurity today. Attackers clone real profiles with same name, same photo, sometimes the same credentials and use them to build trust before requesting information, access, or money. Here is what to do if you encounter a suspicious profile: 1. Do not accept the request! 2. Check the URL. My authentic profile URL is https://lnkd.in/gU7P2rW8 If it does not match, it is not me. 3. Report the fake account directly to LinkedIn using the “More” option on the profile. 4. Alert anyone in your network who may have already connected. This is not a hypothetical. It is happening right now, to my name and my brand. Protecting your network starts with verifying who is actually in it. Stay vigilant. Thank you to my community for alerting me this was happening! Appreciate you!🥰 #Cybersecurity #SocialEngineering #Impersonation #CyberAwareness #LinkedInSecurity #ProtectYourNetwork #ThinkBeforeYouConnect

Someone listed themselves as our employee on LinkedIn. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. This is how attacks start now. We recently identified a few LinkedIn profiles falsely claiming to be a current employee at our company. The title looked right. The responsibilities sounded legitimate. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵: these people don't exist in our organization. We're not naming the profiles. That's intentional. But here's what matters: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀. Not one-off. Not random. A trend. Fake employees. Fake recruiters. Fake vendors. All designed to look credible enough to start a conversation. Because once trust is established, the ask becomes easy: "𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦?" "𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵?" "𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬?" No hacking required. We talk a lot in business about 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺. Your board wants it. Your leadership team demands it. Numbers that are defensible, not just believable. The same standard applies to your security posture. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁. 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆. A LinkedIn profile is not proof of employment. A familiar title is not proof of identity. A convincing bio is not proof of intent. Most businesses treat this like a LinkedIn problem. It's not. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺. If someone can convincingly pose as your employee, they can social engineer your team, manipulate vendors or finance, and insert themselves into real business conversations, all without triggering a single alert. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆, 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 1. Check who is listed under your company on LinkedIn. Click the People tab, today 2. Reconcile that list against your HR records quarterly 3. Add a LinkedIn update step to every offboarding checklist 4. Create one rule: no data, access, or financial requests honored from LinkedIn identity alone 5. Tell your team this is happening as awareness is your first line of defense Attackers don't need to break in anymore. They just need to be believed. Most companies are defending the network. Nobody's guarding the trust layer. If you're not sure where your exposure is, that's worth a conversation. Intelligent Technical Solutions Dave Dyas Sean Harris ▲ Justin Shanken Mike Rhea🔒🛡️

❄️ Holiday Season Reminder: Watch Out for Recruitment Scams! As we continue to embrace the holiday season, we’ve noticed an increase in applicants receiving fraudulent emails from individuals impersonating company leaders and attempting to “set up a call” about a job opportunity across the job market. Typically, these messages are not legitimate and align with a broader trend of heightened recruitment-related scams that often spike during this time of year. To help protect yourself, here are a few reminders to keep in mind ⬇️ Tips to Protect Yourself: ✅ Verify the email address: Make sure it comes from an official company domain (not Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or variations of a company name). ✅ Look for specifics: Real recruiters reference a specific role, business unit, and next steps. Scammers tend to use vague or generic language. ✅ Check the sender’s LinkedIn profile: Confirm it’s a real, established profile with history, connections, and accurate company affiliation. ✅ Be cautious of urgency: Any pressure to respond immediately or share information quickly is a red flag. ✅ Never send sensitive information early in a process: No legitimate recruiter will ask for bank details, SSN, or personal IDs upfront. How typical legitimate communication works, if there is genuine interest in your background: ✅ A verified Talent Acquisition team member or the Head of TA (such as myself) will reach out first, either through our official email domain or via LinkedIn. ✅ Messages will align to a real job posting or clearly defined opportunity. ✅ Next steps will be structured, transparent, and free of pressure. When in Doubt, Ask! If a message feels “off,” trust your instincts: ✅ Do not click links or download attachments. ✅ Reach out through our official careers page or company website to confirm authenticity (https://lnkd.in/eACwS9yt). ✅ You can also forward questionably messages for verification to me. ✨ At ANDMORE, we deeply appreciate the interest from every candidate who engages with our organization. Your trust and safety matter to us. Staying vigilant helps protect not only your information, but your job search journey as a whole. Ximena Juncosa Lisa Yasurek Jessica Frost Sandra Rodriguez Destany Maxey