ANN/THE STAR – In the latest findings from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), identity crimes showed a decrease last year, while job scams surged, particularly through platforms like LinkedIn and other job search sites.
The ITRC’s 2023 report, its 18th, highlighted a notable 118 per cent increase in fraudulent job postings.
According to the report, identity thieves created convincing job listings on reputable networking and job search websites, often using professional-looking profiles or impersonating legitimate companies.
They lured victims into applying for these non-existent jobs and then shifted communications to email, text, or video conferencing for interviews.
During this process, they collected sensitive information such as Social Security and driver’s licence numbers under the guise of employment paperwork, only to disappear once they obtained the data.
While job scams saw a significant rise percentage-wise, they constituted only nine per cent of the total scams reported by the ITRC. Google Voice scams remained the most prevalent, accounting for 60 per cent of reported incidents last year.
Although the overall number of victims decreased, there was an increase in reports of multiple identity theft attempts or misuse cases.
Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the ITRC, noted that despite fewer reported victims, the impact on individuals and businesses remains severe due to the effectiveness and sophistication of modern cyberattacks.
The report also highlighted a concerning trend where identity thieves increasingly appear legitimate, aided by advancements in artificial intelligence.
This sophistication enables them to open new lines of credit and accounts, exacerbating the financial harm to victims.
Most victims, about 62 per cent, were aged between 25 and 64, while seniors aged 65 and older accounted for 30 per cent of the total reported cases.
The evolving tactics of identity thieves underscore the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to combat these crimes in an increasingly digital landscape.
