Be aware, there are a plethora of scammers coming out of the Asian subcontinent. I got one yesterday for a position in cyber security that at first seemed legit, but, once I started talking to them on email, they began asking for my personal data (including my W2’s for my last two positions, a copy of my diploma, and other information)

This, is a scammer seeking to get your data to use to perform identity theft and financial fraud.

Here’s how it went:

1) Contacted me on LinkedIn using messaging

2) Already knew my geographic region and dangled a position with Cigna, but doesn;’t have a lot of detail on the job req. Just enough to make you ask more about it.

3) Emails and I ask for details. He comes back with a bit more (70 an hour) and then proceeds to ask for all my information cited above and wants to have a “five minute call” and becomes insistent on that. I respond in email asking “Why?” no answer. In fact the whole thing is rushed, like the job is on fire!

4) When he asks for the W2’s and Diploma etc, I respond in email “If Cigna wants to see those, then I can furnish them in person at Cigna” to which he response; “We work directly for them” implying I need to send it all to him right away to get this great position!

All this even before getting an interview?
Come on…

Here are some others reporting the same thing….

Takeaways here… I have been out of work for 6 months. In that time, I have seen a huge spike in Indian firms either pulling a variation of this or just angling to get your information (resume) and then “have a call” with you and then disappear into the ether. My supposition is that many of these characters on Mos Eisley, uh, I mean LinkedIn, are scammers who may or may not be actually tied to a real firm. In this case, Pyramid is a known quantity and the IP address that this cat was using along with email address were tied to domains that they own and operate, so, I am saying that they are a scam org masquerading as a legit company.

In fact, in doing all the research, I found a lot on them that say’s they are mostly a scam.

Anyway, I am attaching two threat reports on them and the varying types of recruiting scams out there today. Pay attention before you get ripped off and make your unemployment and job hunt even more unbearable than it already, soul crushingly, is.

Threat Reports:

Pyramid Consulting:

Types of Recruiting Scams: