Stay safe online: tips for temporary workers

More and more, online criminals are trying to steal people's data or take money. That is why it is important to know how to protect yourself and stay safe online.

Use strong passwords

If you have an account with your temp agency or an app where you enter hours worked, it is important to have a good password. Don't use easy-to-guess passwords such as 1234, your own name or Welcome123. A strong password consists of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and characters. For this, follow the rules your staffing organization has for creating a password. Make sure you have a different password for each website or app.

Tip: Don't write your passwords on paper but store them in a password vault such as your phone's password app.

Beware of fake messages.

You may occasionally get e-mails or messages that appear to come from an employment agency or client. Phishing is called such a thing. For example, an e-mail about a new assignment, or an unpaid bill. Never just click on the link in an e-mail or message. Always check first: does this really come from my employment agency or client? Look for example at the address where it comes from. Often you can quickly tell if it is real or fake. Do you still have doubts? Then contact the employment agency or client.

Keep your phone and laptop safe

Many temporary workers use their phones to view paychecks or check work schedules. Make sure your phone or laptop is properly secured. Install updates and use a PIN or fingerprint to log in. Be extra vigilant when looking for work

Looking for (new) work via the Internet? Then be careful. Because there are also fake vacancies. Criminals pretend to have a job for you, but all they really want is your details or money. Only respond to job offers from reliable websites or employment agencies. You can always look up a website or employment agency on Trustpilot or the scam checker of veiliginternetten.nl, for example.

Pay attention to these signals:

• You are asked to pay money first to be allowed to work.
• You are offered a job without an interview.
• You will be asked to quickly send your ID via WhatsApp.
• You can make a lot of money in a short time.
• The monthly salary is listed as a daily salary.

What can you do if you don't trust something?

Talk to your contact at your employment agency. They can verify that a message is genuine.

You take good care of your work. Take good care of yourself online, too. Staying safe online starts with knowing what to look out for. These tips will help you work smart and stay safe.

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