Job Seekers, Beware: Scammers Are Targeting LinkedIn Users

Upon accessing LinkedIn, users often encounter a deluge of posts emphasizing layoffs, an unstable job market, and individuals indicating their "openness to work." The landscape is poised to become even more competitive as 100,000 federal employees who accepted buyouts exit payrolls, while President Donald Trump hints at additional layoffs amid the government shutdown. Furthermore, over 300,000 Black women have left the workforce this year alone. "Many new clients are approaching me, not necessarily laid off, but anxious about job security," states Shannen Coleman Siciliano, a career coach specializing in Black executives. LinkedIn may attract job seekers, yet cybersecurity experts caution about its privacy vulnerabilities, akin to risks associated with platforms like Facebook. Babette Ngene of the Electronic Frontier Foundation highlights the importance of discussing potential dangers. Users should adjust privacy settings, accept familiar connection requests only, and use professional email addresses to safeguard their information. Networking remains vital, with up to 70% of jobs unadvertised.