Scamming, Site Traffic, and an Open Invitation
I’m aware that maintaining even a small online footprint can expose me to hacking, scams, and other security risks. That’s why I regularly monitor my site’s traffic, metrics, and visitor demographics.
When people hear the phrase “online scamming,” Nigeria may be one of the first countries that comes to mind—fairly or unfairly. This morning, I noticed repeated activity from the same IP address, geolocated to Nigeria.
Of course, an IP location isn’t always accurate, and someone’s country doesn’t prove malicious intent. Still, the activity caught my attention.
So, if you’re the person behind those visits: What brought you to my site? What are you looking for, and how can I help?
Let’s bring your intent to the surface. It could lead to an interesting conversation—and perhaps even an opportunity we can monetize together.
Post your contact information at NielFlamm.com/blog or email me directly at niel@nielflamm.com.
The Mysterious Disappearing LinkedIn Messages
Yesterday I mentioned that two "recruiters" contacted me on LinkedIn.
I only shared one conversation because, in this one, I asked a direct question:
"Are you filling a role or selling a resume service?"
The response was direct:
"Filling a role."
I was then asked if I'd like the job description, and I said yes. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a screenshot of that part of the conversation.
Today I went back into LinkedIn Messaging to review both conversations.
Both were gone.
Not archived. Not deleted by me. Just... gone. As if they never existed.
I'm not sure what happened or why. Maybe @LinkedIn removed the accounts. Maybe something else occurred. I don't have enough information to draw that conclusion.
What I do know is that these types of interactions seem to be becoming more common.
I'd love to see LinkedIn continue investing in stronger verification of recruiter profiles and better technology to reduce fake accounts and questionable outreach. It would help job seekers spend more time evaluating real opportunities and less time wondering whether the person on the other end is genuine.
I've been documenting these experiences, along with other observations from my job search, on my blog at NielFlamm.com/blog. I hope sharing what I encounter helps others stay informed.
Have you had recruiter messages mysteriously disappear, or experienced something similar?
Recruiters or Resume Sellers? Ask the Question.
If you're actively looking for a new opportunity on LinkedIn, stay alert.
Today I was contacted by two different "recruiters." I'll share the second conversation when I receive it, but I'm posting this one because it's a fair and straightforward question.
"Is this an opportunity, or are you going to offer me a resume writing service?"
As of writing this post, I haven't received a response.
That doesn't automatically mean this isn't a legitimate recruiter. It may be. I don't know.
My point is this: don't be afraid to ask direct questions.
As job seekers, we're sharing our resumes, employment history, and sometimes personal information. Taking a few moments to verify whom you're speaking with is time well spent.
Suppose this turns out to be a legitimate opportunity; great. If not, asking the question may save someone time, money, or frustration.
I'll also share the second conversation once I receive it so everyone can compare the interactions.
I've been documenting my job search, recruiting experiences, and other career observations on my blog at NielFlamm.com/blog. I hope some of those experiences help others navigate today's job market.
Have you received messages like this on LinkedIn? What questions do you ask before engaging?
The Scammers Didn't Waste Any Time
A few moments ago, I shared the results of a behavioral assessment I completed as part of a job application.
It took about 15 minutes before I started receiving connection requests from what appear to be resume and recruiting scammers.
In this case, the profiles were Grace Isborne and Patricia Renee. I've attached screenshots of their profiles and our conversations so you can see what caught my attention.
A few observations that raised red flags:
Very limited profile history.
Both reference Harvard in some way.
No recommendations.
Generic recruiter messaging with little personalization.
Could these be new recruiters? Possibly. But when you're in an active job search, it's worth slowing down and verifying whom you're speaking with before sharing personal information, your resume, or paying for any services.
Scammers know job seekers are looking for opportunities, and they move quickly.
Stay aware. Stay skeptical. Verify first.
If you'd like to follow my ongoing experiences with job searching, recruiting scams, and career insights, follow along at NielFlamm.com/blog.
Have you encountered similar recruiting or LinkedIn scams? Share your experience in the comments so others can learn from it.
Join the discussion on NielFlamm.com/blog.