Verification Now Available Outside LinkedIn
Last year, LinkedIn introduced a system that allowed users to confirm their identity, work history, or education. This could be done by uploading a government ID, using a work email, or verifying through trusted services like Microsoft Entra or CLEAR. Once verified, a small badge appeared on the user’s profile to show they were a real person.
Now, that same badge can be used on other websites too. Platforms like Adobe’s Content Authenticity tool and Behance now support LinkedIn verification. This means that designers, freelancers, and other professionals can show proof of their LinkedIn verification outside the site, helping build trust wherever they share their work.
Fake Profiles: A Growing Problem
Online scams that involve fake identities are a serious issue, especially on business-focused platforms like LinkedIn. Criminal groups often create false accounts pretending to be recruiters or professionals. These accounts are then used to reach out to real users and trick them into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information.
One major example involved a hacker group from North Korea, known as Lazarus. They created a fake LinkedIn profile and pretended to be offering a job to a blockchain developer. During the interview process, the developer was unknowingly sent harmful software, which was used to steal around $600 million worth of cryptocurrency. Experts called this series of attacks “Operation DreamJob.”
In other cases, scammers even created fake developer identities to get hired by real companies. Once inside, they used their access to collect private company data.
More Protection for Job Seekers
In response to these risks, LinkedIn has also added a feature to confirm whether a recruiter is legitimate. Verified recruiters now have a special checkmark on their profiles, making it easier for job seekers to know who they can trust.
What This Means for Users
These new steps help users feel safer while networking or job hunting online. The verification badge shows others that the person they are talking to has been confirmed by LinkedIn, either as a real employee, job seeker, or recruiter. By making this system available on other platforms, LinkedIn is helping more people protect their identities and avoid falling for fake offers or scams.
