Once completed all applications must be returned via email or mailed to City of Linden City Clerks’ Office, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Applications that are mailed must be postmarked by the application deadline or they will be returned to the applicant. Please be advised that all employment applications must be completed at the time of submission. Please include copies of resumes, proof of qualifications or any additional documents you wish to submit with your application.
Submission Deadline is January 9th, 2024 at 4:30pm.
One full time Clerk 1 position, in the Fire Department.
As you may know, many business and residential utility customers are targeted daily by impersonation scams. Scammers impersonate the utility company (such as PSE&G, Comcast, Verizon, NJ American Water and others) through in-person, phone, and online tactics, claim the utility bill is past due, and threaten to disconnect services unless a payment is made immediately. Customers are pressured to make payments via prepaid debit cards (such as Green Dot, MoneyPak, or Vanilla), wire transfers, cash apps (such as Venmo or Zelle), gift cards, or cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin). Additionally, scammers may claim that the regular payment portal for the utility company is currently offline, but the target can submit payment through another portal via a link or QR code. This fraudulent payment portal creates a false sense of legitimacy by using spoofed domains, impersonation, and stolen branding. Phishing and smishing tactics attempt to convince the target to immediately take action, such as responding or calling a fraudulent phone number, disclosing sensitive information, or making payment.
In Person
Scammers may visit the target’s home or place of business in person, claim to be a utility company collector, present fraudulent identification, and ask for personal information, including account number or Social Security number. However, legitimate employees wear a uniform, visibly display a company ID badge, drive a company car with the utility company’s logo, and visit during a pre-scheduled appointment with the customer.
Calls
Additionally, if customers receive an urgent call from their utility company’s trusted customer service number claiming termination of services for non-payment and that someone will arrive in 15 minutes to disconnect service, slow down the conversation before making any quick decisions and verify the information through official sources, as the phone number may be spoofed (faked)!
Web Searches
Hackers are targeting customers who use search engines to contact their utility companies. The search engine results may contain fraudulent websites with fake phone numbers that, if called, will put unsuspecting customers at risk for threat actors to collect personal and financial information. Furthermore, service disconnections are not immediate; there is a multi-step process, including payment arrangement options and multiple notifications to the customer, typically by mail and noted on their regular monthly bill.
QR Codes
Traditional attack techniques of malicious links or attachments are often detected by email security, forcing threat actors to pivot to QR codes as the primary attack method in various schemes. QR codes, sent through unsolicited communications or posted in publicly accessible locations, may appear to be associated with a reputable brand or organization and could direct targets to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and unsuspecting malware downloads. In one campaign, the threat actors persuade their victims to withdraw money from their financial accounts and transfer it to them using a QR code and cryptocurrency ATM to avoid service disconnection. Once the funds are deposited into the ATM to purchase cryptocurrency, the QR code with the embedded address is scanned, and the money is transferred to the scammers.
Please make sure to be vigilant of these and similar impersonation scams. Refrain from answering unsolicited or unexpected communications, especially those containing QR codes. Additionally, do not provide personal or financial information or transfer money, especially in cryptocurrency, to unverified entities. If you need help with this or another type of scam, please call my office at (908) 474 8493 so that I can help.
During the holiday season and all-year round, it is common for consumers to purchase gift cards for themselves, for family members and friends. Hackers seek to exploit this common purchase in the form of gift card scams.
How does this happen?
Hackers will initiate fraudulent requests by spoofing a known or trusted person – such as a person in leadership or a position of authority within an organization, a friend, or a loved one – to make the request appear legitimate. They also create a sense of urgency with a fake story or emergency to convince the recipient to act quickly without verifying. These fraudulent requests may be sent through email, SMS text messages, and social media platforms.
Authorities continue to receive reports of gift card scams from New Jersey residents and organizations. For example, an employee received an email sent from an external account purportedly from the CEO, who was attending a meeting out of state. The CEO requested their phone number to perform a task. The employee provided their phone number and then communicated through SMS text messages. The request was to purchase two $500 Apple gift cards, to which the victim complied and submitted the back of the gift cards. The request was was only identified as a scam when the victim was asked for the remaining balances.
Example of a real attempt to defraud.
In the above campaign, the hackers stated that they are traveling and having an issue purchasing a $500 Apple gift card for their niece’s birthday. They request the recipient to purchase the gift card and will pay them back as soon as they get back. Other campaigns may, for example, apologize for bothering the potential victim and inquire if they have an Amazon account or order from them.
What should we do?
Refrain from responding to unsolicited communications, clicking links or opening attachments from unknown senders, and exercise caution with communications from known senders. If you are unsure of am email’s legitimacy, then contact the sender via a separate means of communication, such as by phone, before taking action. Call the sender from a phone number that you already have, and NOT from a phone number provided in the email requesting the gift cards.
Refrain from complying with requests to purchase gift cards and sending the numbers to someone without first verifying the request via a separate means of communication. These are unusual requests or demands, typically portraying a sense of urgency, and should be handled with suspicion.
What should I do if this is happening or already happened to me?
If gift card information was already sent, then immediately contact the company who issued the gift card to inquire if the funds are still on the gift card and can be frozen.
Incidents should be reported on https://www.cyber.nj.gov/report (the NJCCIC Cyber Incident Report Form), and https://www.ic3.gov (the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center), and to the Linden Police Department at 908 474 8502.
Let’s all remain vigilant of these and similar scams.
Notice is hereby given that sealed submissions will be received by the Purchasing Agent, Jessica L Slawinski, of the City of Linden, on Thursday, December 21, 2023 10am, prevailing time, in the 1st Floor Purchasing Department office, City Hall, City of Linden, 301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036 then publicly opened and read aloud for the following:
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, for (Position Number as Listed Above, Name of Position) and bearing the name and address of the proposer on outside; addressed to the Purchasing Agent, Jessica L. Slawinski, City of Linden, City Hall, Purchasing Department, 301 North Wood Avenue, 1st Floor, Linden, NJ 07036.
Standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available in the Purchasing Department, City Hall, 301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Submission packages may also be downloaded on the The City of Linden’s website on this page.
In addition to full compliance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et. seq. (“Pay to Play”), individuals or firms awarded contracts under these procedures will be required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et. seq. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. And N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contracts).
Submission by Corporations and Partnerships shall include a completed Disclosure of Ownership form (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2) and shall include a completed Non-Collusion Affidavit. The City of Linden reserves the right to reject any or all submissions due to any defects of waive informalities and accept any submissions that in their judgment will be in the best interest of the City of Linden. The City of Linden shall award the contract or reject all submissions no later than 60 days from receipt of the same.
Jessica L. Slawinski, Purchasing Agent
To view and/or download the paper version of the RFQ Notice for 2023, click here.
To see all active RFQ and job opportunities with the City of Linden, including those in the notice above, click here.
Once completed all applications must be returned via email or mailed to City of Linden City Clerks’ Office, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Applications that are mailed must be postmarked by the application deadline or they will be returned to the applicant. Please be advised that all employment applications must be completed at the time of submission. Please include copies of resumes, proof of qualifications or any additional documents you wish to submit with your application.
Submission Deadline is December 26th, 2023 at 4:30pm.
One full time Clerk 1 position, in the Tax Assessor Department.
Once completed all applications must be returned via email or mailed to City of Linden City Clerks’ Office, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Applications that are mailed must be postmarked by the application deadline or they will be returned to the applicant. Please be advised that all employment applications must be completed at the time of submission. Please include copies of resumes, proof of qualifications or any additional documents you wish to submit with your application.
Submission Deadline is December 8th, 2023 at 4:30pm.
One full time Clerk 1 position, in the Police Department.
Notice is hereby given that sealed submissions will be received by the Purchasing Agent, Jessica L Slawinski, of the City of Linden, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 10am, prevailing time, in 3rd Floor Planning Board Room, City Hall, City of Linden, 301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036 then publicly opened and read aloud for the following:
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, for (Position Number as Listed Above, Name of Position) and bearing the name and address of the proposer on outside; addressed to the Purchasing Agent, Jessica L. Slawinski, City of Linden, City Hall, Purchasing Department, 301 North Wood Avenue, 1 st Floor, Linden, NJ 07036.
Standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available in the Purchasing Department, City Hall, 301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Submission packages may also be downloaded on the The City of Linden’s website on this page.
In addition to full compliance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et. seq. (“Pay to Play”), individuals or firms awarded contracts under these procedures will be required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et. seq. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. And N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contracts).
Submission by Corporations and Partnerships shall include a completed Disclosure of Ownership form (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2) and shall include a completed Non-Collusion Affidavit. The City of Linden reserves the right to reject any or all submissions due to any defects of waive informalities and accept any submissions that in their judgment will be in the best interest of the City of Linden. The City of Linden shall award the contract or reject all submissions no later than 60 days from receipt of the same.
Jessica L. Slawinski, Purchasing Agent
To view and/or download the paper version of the RFQ Notice for 2023, click here.
To see all active RFQ and job opportunities with the City of Linden, including those in the notice above, click here.
Cybercriminals are using Facebook ads to distribute malware and hijack users’ social media accounts, researchers have discovered.
What’s an info-stealer?
Info-stealers are malware that enable hackers to steal victims’ browser cookies and take over Facebook accounts. Once inside the account, hackers can change passwords and activate additional security measures on accounts to completely deny access to the legitimate owner, allowing cybercriminals to commit fraud.
How does this happen?
This happens when hackers exploit legitimate tools for online ad distribution and insert infected links into typical advertisements. To entice users into clicking, campaigns often offer “provocative enticements”, which in this case, contained lewd images. Each click on the ad instantly downloads the malicious file to the victim’s device. Researchers estimate that nearly 100,000 users downloaded the malware in just 10 days.
What should we do?
Be extra vigilant when using any social media platforms, and make sure to connect only with people you know. Be weary of friend requests and messages from unknown people, especially when they ask you to click on a link or download a file. Before clicking on any ads, go to the company’s website to verify ad claims, such as discounts or special offers.
Let’s all remain vigilant of these and similar scams. Please refrain from answering unsolicited or unexpected communications. Additionally, do not provide personal or financial information or transfer money, especially in cryptocurrency, to unverified entities.
What should I do if I am hacked?
Incidents should be reported on https://www.cyber.nj.gov/report (the NJCCIC Cyber Incident Report Form), and https://www.ic3.gov (the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center), and to the Linden Police Department at 908 474 8502.
Please register to attend this free webinar on Wednesday October 25th, from 1pm until 2pm to learn simple actions to help keep your workplace, home, you and your family cyber-secure!
In honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a dedicated month for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, the Region 2 National Preparedness Division is hosting this seminar that encourages four simple steps every American can take to stay safe online. Joining the seminar will be Rich Richard, Cyber Security Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Who – This event is for individuals, families, the whole community, community-based and faith-based organizations, small businesses, federal, state and local government.
What – Free cybersecurity webinar that encourages four simple steps every American can take to stay safe online.
When – October 25, 2023 from 1pm until 2pm EST.
Where – Online.
Why – To protect your workplace, home, you and your family cybersecurity threats.
