Almost Got Scammed — And Didn't Even Know It

🖥️ Almost Got Scammed — And Didn't Even Know It

Like many of us in the job market, I'm well aware that scams exist. But I never expected one to sneak into my own LinkedIn DMs.

I often get messages from people asking if I'm available for work. I always take the time to respond, explain my current situation, and when I can, I refer them to a colleague or friend who's looking — because I know firsthand how hard it is to find solid opportunities.

This time, I referred the person to a workmate who was job hunting. What happened next was unsettling.

The "recruiter" sent my friend a snippet of code to download and run — claiming it was part of a technical screening. But thankfully, my friend noticed the code was trying to access his local machine. Even his operating system flagged it as a potential threat. He stopped before any damage was done.

⚠️ It's scary how easily these scams can appear legitimate. In a competitive job market, many would do anything for a chance — including running unverified code — just to stay in the game.

A reminder for all of us:

• Be skeptical of anything that requires you to download or execute code without proper vetting.
• Always verify the recruiter and the company they claim to represent.
• When in doubt, talk to someone you trust.

Stay safe out there. 🛡️