Spotting a fake LinkedIn profile partly comes down to gut feeling. Knowing exactly what to look for, however, makes it that much easier. Here are seven key signs that a connection request you received may not be genuine.

How to Spot Fake LinkedIn Profiles

Malicious accounts collect contact lists and details like email addresses and phone numbers. They could also be promoting fake job listings, luring jobseekers with interesting prospects and encouraging them to click on a link or download a file containing malware.

The range of common social media phishing attacks is broad, but easily thwarted if you’re careful. The bottom line is that, by paying attention, you can protect your personal information and assets. At the same time, you keep other users safe from fake profiles using you as a lure.

Here are some signs to watch out for.

1. Incomplete or Impersonal Profile

Take in the account’s overall impression. Unless the account is private, you should be able to see details like the user’s location, education, employment, and About section. An incomplete profile is a red flag, as is one that feels unprofessional or impersonal.

Look at the user’s About information, for example. Apart from spelling or phrasing mistakes, there may be inconsistencies with the sector they’re supposed to be an expert in. It’s common to find generic wording too, so keep your eyes and mind open to anything that feels off.

2. Suspicious Profile Picture

A fake LinkedIn account often uses an unusual picture and so gives itself away. Some don’t use a photo at all. While groomed professionals and quality head-shots are common sights on the platform, most users try to avoid looking like a stock photo.

You also might come across famous faces smiling back at you that don’t match the name displayed on the profile.

In either case, you can quickly check through a Google image search on your computer or smartphone.

3. Generic Headline

As a jobseeker, you’re supposed to create a profile that grabs employers’ attention, while also reflecting who you are as a person. If a connection request has a random or generic phrase for a headline, the user might not be on LinkedIn for the same reasons as everybody else.

Making friends on the platform isn’t bad, of course, but you have to apply extra caution, especially when a lapse in judgement is all it takes to get into a lot of trouble with scammers.

4. Suspicious Work or Education History

Here, too, the more information the profile provides, the better. Filling in your employment or education history on LinkedIn is tedious, but it needs to look as interesting as possible. So an account that only shows a handful of companies and job titles without extra detail such as responsibilities is strange, to say the least.

Going through someone’s resume does seem extreme, but a fake account is bound to make mistakes there. Not only that, but a Google search of information you’re not sure of could yield further warnings about the account. A bit of paranoia sometimes pays off.

Some fraudulent users are bold enough to send a message along with their connection request. Since their goal is to convince you to trust them, they sometimes fill their messages with hooks like irresistible job perks, keywords, and excited language.

They might include links and documents that contain more information on whatever they’re offering. Don’t open or download anything until you know the user and offer are genuine. This applies to interactions on any platform, whether it’s a social network or your email account.

One handy way to test a suspicious profile is to, first, research the details on their account, including the person and company. Then message them back with questions. A diplomatic and non-confrontational approach works best. If their answers fall short, you can reject or ignore their offer.

6. Too Few or Too Many Connections

It could be that the profile is new and still building its network, but if the numbers don’t change after a while, the user might not really be trying. Or people aren’t connecting with them for a reason.

If you see anything else suspicious on the account, you should avoid or even report them.

On the other end of the spectrum are fake profiles that fool a lot of people and even the premium system, but connect with everyone they can. A genuine user ends up with a network more or less related to their interests. A massive network with an unusual collection of people is a big red flag.

7. Poor LinkedIn Activity

Real profiles also engage with the platform. Their users are actually invested in putting themselves out there and making meaningful connections. Fake accounts don’t usually go far beyond liking or sharing posts. Even their comments will be generic or very short.

In addition to checking a profile’s details, take a look at its activity too. If it seems scant or impersonal, avoiding connecting would be wise. Little details like this should add to your feeling about the account and help you decide if it’s suspicious or not.

Common Sense Keeps You Safe on LinkedIn

Individually, these red flags are minor, but put several together and you have a suspect account on your hands. It could just be someone who doesn’t know how to create a good profile or approach people in a professional way. But, even so, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As a genuine user, you have to learn how to protect yourself. And being extra picky with your contacts is a small price to pay.