Data theft with wrong jobs – be careful with ID and identification procedures

Fraudsters try to lure users with lucrative job offers and then demand a copy of their ID - be careful, this can end up expensive!

While looking for a job on the Internet, a young man from Schleswig-Holstein came across an entrepreneur who wanted to have photos of him and his ID card via WhatsApp contact - supposedly in order to open an account for the fee. Behind such scams there are usually criminals who want to gain access to personal data. This can have expensive consequences for those affected.

The video identification process is a popular method when a contract needs to be concluded quickly and easily via the Internet. Banks use this method, for example, to open a new account. The providers require you to present your ID card via video transmission.

With this procedure, customers prove their identity. Criminals are increasingly using this opportunity in the digital world to obtain personal data from consumers. In the last few weeks, several Schleswig-Holstein residents have contacted the consumer advice center because they came across data thieves while looking for a job .

Interview via WhatsApp chat

In a recent case, a young man responded to a job advertisement for a part-time job. The offer was published on several online job boards. He then received an email with “kind regards” from the managing director of the “young” company, which would like to take an “unconventional/more modern path”.

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The applicant was asked to contact the HR manager's cell phone number via WhatsApp to clarify everything further. After a lengthy chat about tasks, pay and working conditions, the chat partner stated that he wanted to open a clearing account for the new employee.

In order to draw up the contract, he needs photos of the front and back of his ID card as well as a selfie of the applicant with his ID card in his hand. The applicant then became suspicious and tried to find information about the company on the Internet - without success.

This is how fraudsters use third-party data for their own purposes

Consumers can have serious consequences if their personal information falls into the wrong hands. For example, criminals use third-party data to open accounts and use them to operate fake shops - i.e. fraudulent fictitious transactions on the Internet. Others affected report invoices for online purchases or contracts that strangers concluded with their data. Identification procedures on the Internet enable such fraudsters to access consumer data.

“Such events are not trivial; there are serious criminal structures behind them that we are taking targeted action against. That's why it's very helpful if those affected in such cases contact the investigating authorities," says Schleswig-Holstein's Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, Claus Christian Claussen.

Recognize fake websites and companies

Caution is advised when dealing with identification procedures using photos or videos. If you are not completely sure that you are dealing with a serious conversation partner, it is better not to do so. There are a number of warning signs that indicate a scam:

• No personal contact is possible during an application process? Then be careful with personal data.
• Should you take part in a video identification process to open an account in order to identify yourself for a job offer? This is not a serious procedure because opening an account has nothing to do with an application process.
• Are you asked to test the video identification process? Maybe you want to pretend you want to open an account for yourself for testing purposes? In such a case, it is best to stop the process immediately and report the matter to the police. There is no serious job offer behind such methods.
• Are there any warnings or other information about the supposed job offer? Research the company extensively before applying.

Act quickly in an emergency

Anyone who believes they have fallen for fraudsters should quickly report the fraud to the bank concerned and have their account blocked.

You might also be interested in: Corona: Fraud with job offers is increasing

Source: Schleswig-Holstein Consumer Center
Article image: Shutterstock / By HQuality