Editorial
Let’s be vigilant to prevent being victims of job scams
The public has been cautioned by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to be careful of the new tactics being used in employment scams.
The Authority claims that more and more examples of job scams involving victims who lost a significant amount of money are being reported.
Typically, scammers send unsolicited messages using email, Telegram, WhatsApp, and SMS, among other channels.
These scammers impersonate recruiters and promise high-paying, remote or part-time jobs involving digital tasks such as liking social media or clicking on a link.
Numerous people have been duped by these scammers, who first entice their victims with small amounts in exchange for larger sums of money after the victims are locked out of their accounts.
The quicker this concerning tendency is addressed, the better, as it will protect the wallets of job seekers who are in a dire situation.
In relation to employment scams is the problem of cyberattacks. Organisations in the internet age mostly depend on information technology (IT) infrastructure to protect them against cyberattacks, which is why cybersecurity is so important.
Cyber security is the process of safeguarding computer systems and networks against unauthorised access or being otherwise damaged.
Cyber security is crucial because it protects people and organisations from cyberattacks and the loss or theft of sensitive data.
Because of this, businesses, governments, and private citizens are making significant investments in cyber security to safeguard their data and assets from hackers; yet, the risk of cybercrime is rising quickly.
Also, hackers now manage to obtain unauthorised access to Facebook accounts, hinder individuals from accessing their own accounts, and utilise these accounts to secretly raise money.
Another worrying development is that some hackers have been calling victims’ phone numbers and tricking them into updating their WhatsApp accounts in order to obtain personal information that they can use for other schemes, such as Momo fraud.
The Spectator urges the public to exercise caution and distrust high-paying occupations that require little effort. The best way to avoid employment frauds is to double-check job postings.
Sometimes a scam can be easily identified because of the numerous grammatical, typographical, and consistency flaws in the messages.
Certain organisations clearly specify that applicants should not submit any payment at all throughout the hiring process therefore jobseekers who are asked to pay an employer before being hired should be cautious about such practices.
Let’s all exercise caution to stop these scammers and hackers from doing their business.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
