Fake job postings are more common than ever before. They’re annoying, and they’re downright dangerous. If you’re a student who is actively searching for jobs in preparation for graduation this spring, you need to know about these incidents.

Almost 70% of employers had job listings active for more than 30 days, and 50% of employers keep job postings open to maintain a flow of new applicants even though they aren’t actively hiring, according to a recent survey by Clarify Capital.

It appears that many employers are taking advantage of online job posting sites not only to mislead applicants but also to mislead their own employees and to make their company look better.

The same survey found that 43% of employers keep job listings open to “keep current employees motivated” and to “give the impression that the company is growing,” according to Clarify Capital.

Keeping positions open is extremely unethical and discouraging for applicants, especially for graduating students who may be searching for jobs for the first time after earning their degree.

“Nearly 90 percent of more than 300 online job applications submitted by recent graduates didn’t get any response from employers. In many cases, the only responses applicants received were notices that the positions were filled,” according to key findings from Business.com.

Although these fake job postings are disappointing, that isn’t the only concern here. They can also be dangerous and pose serious threats like scams, labor trafficking and even human trafficking.

In May 2023, the FBI released a public service announcement warning people of false job advertisements that may be linked to labor trafficking at scam compounds. These job posts tended to list lucrative benefits, paid travel and competitive salaries to make the listing more enticing.

While these jobs are scary, actions are being taken to combat these fake job postings. LinkedIn, a popular job listing site, released a community report in 2023 addressing the actions that it has taken to stop fake accounts. Between January and June 2023, the site managed to proactively remove 104.8 million scams and spams.

However, there are also steps you can take to avoid these fake job listings and to be safer in your job search. When you see a listing, always research the company to ensure it’s real. If there’s no company listed and also no contact information, then that’s a red flag.

Make sure you read the post closely. Look for spelling and grammar mistakes and ask yourself if the job description seems realistic. Compare the listing to other ones, and if it feels off, chances are it is.

Be wary of recruiters or companies who contact you directly before you’ve shown any interest in the job. They may stalk your profile and try to get on your good side to get information out of you or to convince you to apply.

When in doubt, you can always ask the company or employer that posted the listing for more information. Also, check for reviews on the company and look into online forums for further information.

Madison Akers is a senior communication major from Easley, South Carolina. You can reach her at [email protected].