Did you receive text messages from Tandym Group? Recently, more than a hundred job seekers have received text messages claiming to be from Tandym Group about a job offer, and people are wondering if they are legitimate. Well, the short answer is NO! Read on for more details and check out how to stay protected:

Founded in 1985, Tandym Group is a legitimate recruitment agency based in New York. However, scammers are impersonating Tandym Group and sending out text messages about job offerings:

Tandym Group Scam: How It Works

1. You will receive an unsolicited text message from someone claiming to be from Tandym Group about a job opportunity.
2. If you respond and proceed, you will be asked to provide your WhatsApp number. Then scammers will contact you to start a fake interview on WhatsApp.
3. After the interview, they will tell you that you are hired. That’s when they start to play tricks on you. 
   
   They might ask you to pay an advance fee to secure the job or to buy the “start-up packages.” In some cases, scammers send you a bogus check to purchase these office supplies. Even if you find out you can’t use the check since it’s on hold, they will claim the bank will clear the check soon and insist you make the payment from your personal account.
   
   Scammers might also want you to submit sensitive personal information, including your Social Security Number or bank account number.
4. Once you pay, they vanish, disappearing with your money and identity. Don’t let them!

Tandym Group’s Response

A Reddit user shared Tandym Group’s reply on LinkedIn: 

[…] Regrettably, it has come to our attention that individuals are misappropriating our information in a disconcerting endeavor to deceive unsuspecting individuals into divulging sensitive financial and personal details. It is imperative to emphasize that our esteemed personnel do not engage in communication via WhatsApp with either our valued clients or prospective candidates. […]

Online Job Scams: Red Flags

If you are seeking a job online, please be on the lookout. If you spot any of the following red flags, you should avoid the “job offer”to stay safe: 

• Unsolicited job offers. Legitimate companies don’t reach out with unsolicited job offers via text messages or social media. Plus, decent job recruitment will be listed on the company’s web page and include specific requirements.
• Too-good-to-be-true deals. If the payment for a job is unreasonably higher than the standard, and you barely have to make any effort, please be careful. 
• Requests for money or sensitive information. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for their job, nor will they require you to provide sensitive information such as bank account credentials.

Tips to Stay Safe When Seeking Jobs Online

• Do your homework about the job offer. Google the company’s name and check its legitimacy.
• Seek jobs from trustworthy sources. Turn to the official website for the most updated job listings. FTC also suggests a few reliable resources for job seekers, including USAJobs.gov, CareerOneStop, and USA.gov. 
• Avoid unsolicited offers. Be wary of job offers that come out of the blue via texts or social media. You can use social media to get the latest hiring information, but do not use it as a channel to apply for any jobs.
• Never pay in advance. Legitimate employers won’t ask you to pay before starting work. Do not pay no matter what the “company” asks you to pay.
• Be savvy with your personal information. Please do not send it over email, online form, or any other way.

For more tips on avoiding online job scams, check out this article.

Protecting Your Identity and Personal Info

The truth is, there are lots of scams and scam sites on the internet and they’re getting even more difficult to detect with common sense alone. However, for an easy and reliable method of detecting and avoiding scam sites, check out Trend Micro ID Protection. 

ID Protection can shield you from scams, fake and malware-infected websites, dangerous emails, phishing links, and lots more! If you come across something dangerous online, you’ll be alerted in real time so you’ll know to stay well clear. 

Offering both free and paid services, ID Protection will ensure you have the best safeguards in place, with 24/7 support available to you through one of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies. Trend Micro is trusted by 8 of the top 10 Fortune 500 Companies — and we’ll have your back, too.

Why not give it a go today? As always, we hope this article has been an interesting and/or useful read. If so, please do SHARE it with family and friends to help keep the online community secure and informed — and consider leaving a like or comment below.