We are aware that individuals are impersonating company recruiters on job hiring posts through sites like Facebook and Telegram. Please note that our company hires through the online application process on our website at www.empire.ca. If you’re unsure if a job is real, feel free to email recruitment@empire.ca.
Many of these attempts are smart and it can be difficult to tell what’s fake and what’s real. See below for some tips and read more from the Edmonton Police.
Please note that no Empire Life systems or data have been impacted. This is a consumer awareness notice.
How it works
Individuals pose as recruiters for legitimate companies and post that they’re hiring on Facebook or reply to people who are looking for jobs on job boards. They encourage interested individuals to connect with them on an app like Telegram or WhatsApp and ask for a $100 eTransfer to apply. Once the fake interview is over, they offer the job and send a fake cheque to buy software for the role. Once you’ve deposited the cheque and purchased the software from the link they send you, you find out the cheque is fake and you’re left on the hook for it. They also now have your banking or credit card information.
What you can do
While you likely won’t be able to get your money back, here are a few steps you can take to help save other people:
- Alert your bank. It may be too late to get your money back, but it’s helpful for them to know the details. They can also protect your account if you used your credit card or banking details on their website.
- Report the posts and individuals involved through the app (i.e. report the messages and accounts through Facebook and Telegram).
- Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre; it only takes a few seconds!
- Be cautious; if you fell for it, they may attempt to dupe you later using the phone number and email address you gave them.
Tips for how to avoid it next time
- Most reputable companies would never ask you to send money to apply for a job.
- Watch for spelling mistakes and things that don’t make sense (like asking for your ZIP code or state when you live in Canada).
- Many emails use generic Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo email accounts; our email addresses all end in @empire.ca.
- If you’re unsure, do a Google search to see if the company has an official website and a phone number. If they do, give them a call and ask to speak to their recruiting team.
- Check if the job is posted to their website; many companies have a list of all job opportunities and a way for you to apply directly through the website.
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Social media
Scam alert for job seekers! Scammers sometimes use a fake job posting on Facebook to impersonate recruiters at various companies. Here are some tips so you can tell if it's a scam or a real job:
- We would never ask you to send us money
- Our emails always end in @empire.ca, not @gmail.com
- We would never send you a cheque to buy your own equipment
- Be vigilant with online scams!