Rise in student job scams
Update | Monday, December 4, 2023
Columbus State has seen a sudden rise in fake job postings sent to student email accounts. The fake postings also show up in online job listing sites and on social media. The scams target students with fake job opportunities to swindle them out of money. (Scroll to the bottom to see an actual scam email example.)
The "job opportunities" often take the form of "personal or office assistants," “research assistants,” and “dog walking.” They frequently ask a student to purchase items for their business, deposit checks, or offset startup costs to negotiate sales between a vendor and a business. The scam is attempting to get the student to deposit a fraudulent check, which will bounce in a few days or weeks by purchasing items; or sending personal checks with their own money. They also attempt to collect personal information that could be used in future identity thefts, such as addresses, Social Security numbers, and bank information.
Here are some indicators that a job opportunity may be a scam:
- Offers to send you a check before you do any work.
- Does not list a company name.
- Comes from an email address that doesn’t match the company name. (Most legitimate companies will use the company domain instead of a Hotmail, Yahoo, or Gmail account.)
- Offers to pay a large amount of money for almost no work.
- Offers you a job without ever interacting with you or interviewing you.
- Asks you to pay an application fee.
- Wants you to transfer money from one account to another.
- Asks you to give your credit card or bank account numbers.
- Asks for copies of personal documents.
- Says you must send payment by wire service or courier.
- Offers you a large payment for allowing the use of your bank account – often for depositing checks or transferring money.
- Sends you an unexpectedly large check.
If you get a suspicious email, report it. Email abuse@cscc.edu, or call the IT Support Center at 614-287-5050.
If a student believes they have been contacted by a job scam, they may contact Career Services at careerservices@cscc.edu, or call 614-287-2782 to discuss the situation. Career Counselors can assist students in reviewing job postings or inquiries if they have concerns about its legitimacy prior to applying.
Actual email example:
Go to 2023 Update Archive Go to Employee Update
Latest Update Stories
-
Fantastic Fridays wraps up another semester
December 18, 2023 8:42pm
More than 400 students from nine schools passed through Columbus State's Fantastic Fridays program this year. The Biological & Physical Sciences (BPS) Department runs Fantastic Fridays on many Friday mornings during the academic year.
news-employee
-
Students tour Ohio State Polar and Climate Research Center
December 18, 2023 8:32pm
A continuing collaboration between Columbus State and Ohio State University's (OSU) Department of Geography is proving beneficial for students.
news-employee
-
Nominate a student for the Society of the Compass
December 11, 2023 9:14pm
Nominations are now being accepted for students who embody the four fundamental creed values of the Society of the Compass: Nobility, Service, Wisdom, and Excellence.
news-employee
-
Staff employees of the month
December 11, 2023 6:00pm
An Employee Resource Group (ERG) manager and an advisor for Advising and Career Services are the Full and Part-time Staff Employees of the Month (SEOM) announced at last week's First Wednesday.
news-employee
-
Act now before Winter Break for next semester's Student Success Week
December 4, 2023 7:09pm
Planning is underway for the next Student Success Week (SSW), which will be held Monday, Jan. 28, through Thursday, Feb. 1.
news-employee
-
Columbus Promise 5K returns: Register or donate now
December 4, 2023 7:04pm
The Columbus State Foundation has announced that M3S Sports will again host the Columbus Promise 5K as part of the OhioHealth Cap City Half and Quarter Marathon event on April 27, 2024.
news-employee
-
Longtime Columbus State adjunct publishes new books
December 4, 2023 6:54pm
Rocco Di Pietro, who began as an adjunct at Columbus State 32 years ago, has published three new books and updated the third edition of "Rajas for John Cage."
news-employee
-
Leeman paintings on display locally
December 4, 2023 2:12pm
Adjunct Stacy Leeman has two paintings on display through Jan. 5 at the Ohio Art League's 107th Thumb Box exhibition at the RAW Gallery, 112 E. Main St., Columbus.
news-employee
-
Year-end Procurement and Accounts Payable reminder
November 30, 2023 7:23pm
Columbus State is fast approaching the end of calendar year 2023, which includes the upcoming Winter Break shutdown.
news-employee
-
Nominations open for employee and student Visionary Dreamer Awards
November 27, 2023 7:05pm
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is accepting nominations for the Barb Smith-Allen Visionary Dreamer Award for employees and the Darius Torrence Visionary Dreamer Award for students.
news-employee
-
Payoff from summer event
November 27, 2023 3:15pm
The Air Force One/Custom Air inaugural “Cruise In” event held in July is paying dividends for Columbus State’s Skilled Trades program.
news-employee
-
Students participate in CodeFest
November 21, 2023 6:57pm
Students and Manifest Solutions consultants and employees came to the Columbus Campus on Nov. 4 to participate in CodeFest.
news-employee