With the massive game industry layoffs, scammers are out in force to rip off desperate game devs. If you're approached about a job opportunity: *Verify the position on the official studio site, if possible *Don't share info like your SSN or banking numbers *DON'T WORK FOR FREE! - ThreadSky

annamegill.com • 379 days ago

With the massive game industry layoffs, scammers are out in force to rip off desperate game devs. If you're approached about a job opportunity:
*Verify the position on the official studio site, if possible
*Don't share info like your SSN or banking numbers
*DON'T WORK FOR FREE!

Comments

theoryof.games•379 days ago

It is frightening to me how quickly and thoroughly scams are pushing out legitimate opportunities in every sector.

jason.maltzen.org•379 days ago

Related: scammers are also using LinkedIn updates to find phishing targets in an attempt to steal paychecks from those who are newly hired.

annamegill.com•379 days ago

Jeebus. How does that scam work?

jason.maltzen.org•379 days ago

New employee updates LinkedIn with their new job. Scammer sees post, finds managers at that company, forges email to manager with "Hey! I need to update my bank account info before next payday."

annamegill.com•379 days ago

Holy crap. That's w i l d

jason.maltzen.org•379 days ago

I assume that it's automated, given that they tried it with me and my little indie studio. I imagine it's more effective in places with larger teams where management isn't as directly involved with the employees.

pyrholidon.bsky.social•379 days ago

At the place I work for we can change our banking details ourselves through our payroll app. (Which smaller studios might not be able to afford.)

olafurw.com•379 days ago

Yup, seen it a few times. Some even try to be specific and say that they're in a meeting to hope to hit and make it look more believable.

Saw one also where they said something like "my slack isn't working, message me on this whatsapp number"

jason.maltzen.org•379 days ago

The other side of that is one a couple of clients see constantly: messages to employees purporting to be from one of the execs, asking for them to pick up gift cards etc.

obicynkenobi.bsky.social•379 days ago

I’ve had this happen twice now, I’m thankfully able to spot it but damn it’s disappointing when you realize it’s a fake opportunity 🫠

annamegill.com•379 days ago

Ughhh, that's awful 😦

pugsteady.com•379 days ago

And definitely DEFINITELY don't write a pitch or design document without either money on the table or a clear indication that you get the rights. I've found at least two companies who have tried to use writing tests as a way to get free design work.

annamegill.com•379 days ago

I wrote a whole section on scam writing tests in my books, but the gist of it is: don't work for free. If you take the risk and do a "test" for free, don't follow that up with more free work. Draw a line early and refuse to cross it.

annamegill.com•379 days ago

Many studios have warnings about common scams on their career pages. Read them and know what to look out for.

Above all, if an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful!

panecasio.bsky.social•379 days ago

also be wary of famously bad gigantic VC firm vultures running “gaming accelerators”

coil.bsky.social•379 days ago

Saw that on my LinkedIn feed and blocked that trash so fast.

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