5 LinkedIn Scams and How to Avoid Them

Unfortunately, just like any other social media site, LinkedIn is filled with scammers and bad actors hoping to take advantage of the well-meaning people and businesses who use the platform. In fact, according to the NordLayer CEO, 52% of American businesses will come across a LinkedIn scam at least once.

So, while you might be eager to accept a connection request from someone who claims to be in your field, it’s worth exercising the same caution you would if a stranger sent a friend request on Facebook. Scammers are known to get crafty; in order to avoid falling into their traps, you have to be aware of the common LinkedIn scams and know how to avoid them.

Phishing Scams

In the same way that you might receive a phishing email at work, phishing scams on LinkedIn involve scammers sending a message that appears to be from a real business or individual. It could look like it’s coming from someone at LinkedIn who is concerned about your account, or it could look like a leader from a company reaching out.

Scammers will send links, asking you to click on them and fill out personal information. Once you click the link, you may be exposed to malware or another type of attack on your device. They could also send a link that redirects you to a page where you’re prompted to enter your LinkedIn login credentials, and once you do that, they’ll have untethered access to your account.

• How to Avoid: Don’t click on any links sent by accounts that you aren’t familiar with. To gain clarity on the account holder’s legitimacy, check the email associated with the account. When in doubt, reach out to the LinkedIn support team directly.

Cryptocurrency Scams (“Pig-Butchering Scams”)

By taking advantage of people who are eager to make money quickly, cryptocurrency scams will promise big returns in short time periods. Scammers will convince their victims to provide their bank account information, send large sums of money for “cryptocurrency investment purposes,” and then disappear, leaving that person at a loss for their entire investment.

Pig-butchering scams are a growing type of cryptocurrency scam where the hacker attempts to “fatten up” the victim by created a rapport with them. Strangers will initiate connections and conversations, starting off slow, building an almost-friendship dynamic. Once they’ve gained the trust of the victim over weeks – sometimes months – they’ll recommend a fraudulent investment channel and convince the victim to invest massive amounts. Of course, it was all fake from the start.

• How to Avoid: Don’t chat with people you don’t know. If there is someone you legitimately want to network with or have a professional conversation with – consider a phone call. And whatever you do, never, ever follow financial or investment recommendations from strangers on the internet.

Employment Scams

LinkedIn isn’t just a place to connect with other individuals, it’s also a job posting site. Many companies use LinkedIn as a primary source of potential candidates for open roles. Although the platform can be an amazing tool to land your dream job, be weary of employment scams that are running rampant.

Usually, with this type of scam, scammers will reach out to you directly, touting a too-good-to-be-true job opportunity with high pay, flexible work, and more. In order to apply, you may give up sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank details. The scammer will then have multiple pathways to commit fraud or steal your information.

• How to Avoid: If you have the “Open to Work” banner on your profile picture, you become an easy target, so be aware of that. If a “recruiter” does reach out, be sure to check their credentials and the company’s website. Don’t ever do an interview through texting on platforms like WhatsApp, and don’t share your personal information on your resume. Finally, remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Tech Support Scams

It’s not uncommon for bad actors to pose as IT experts looking to help you solve a problem with your LinkedIn account. They might claim that your account has experienced a breach or claim that payment for certain services is overdue. Once you take the bait, scammers have a direct path to your credentials.

In some tech support scams, the “IT expert” will tell you that you need to make a payment before they can secure your account or resolve your issue. Once you make the payment, the money will be gone, and almost certainly, so will the scammer.

• How to Avoid: LinkedIn won’t reach out to you via email or messaging for problems with your account. If you don’t get a notice on LinkedIn directly, then it’s most likely a scam. Report the interaction and avoid future conversations with the fake tech support team member.

Account Takeover Scams

Using phishing tactics or hacking, bad actors can take over your account and do a lot of damage in your professional circle. If they get access to your real account, they can use that access to steal your information, pose as you, and defraud other professionals in your network, or even execute elaborate financial schemes or other types of scams. This can be very detrimental to not only you, but also to your connections.

• How to Avoid: Never send anyone a verification code from your LinkedIn – that might be how the hacker accesses your account in the first place. From there, practice good cybersecurity hygiene; build strong passwords, change them regularly, and don’t re-use credentials from other online accounts that you hold. It’s also a great idea to monitor your inbox on LinkedIn. You should be aware of all the dialogue happening there.