While job scams have been around for years and carry recognisable warning signs, technological advancements have allowed scammers to target job seekers through increasingly sophisticated methods. A recent study by Online Scams and Fraud Research found that 30% of adults in the UK have experienced fake employment scams online. To avoid becoming another unfortunate statistic, here's our detailed guide to understanding job scams, complete with internet safety tips to protect your personal details.
A job scam is a type of fraud that targets the employment industry. Scammers often advertise fake jobs to obtain valuable personal information, typically to gain money or steal identities.
Job scams often occur in one of two ways:
The harsh reality is that job scams exist. The alarming 259% rise in job scam reports in 2023 calls for today's job seekers to be extra vigilant of fraudulent job opportunities. Here are a few things to look out for:
Scammers frequently send unsolicited phishing emails and WhatsApp messages posing as legitimate companies offering work-from-home jobs.
Be cautious when someone contacts you out of the blue, even if you've posted your CV online or have an active LinkedIn profile. Verify the recruiter's identity and the company they claim to represent by researching their contact details and online presence.
Legitimate companies have an online footprint, including a professional website and active social media profiles. If you can't find these, the job listing might be a scam.
Look for forums where others may have flagged similar concerns about the company or job ad.
If the salary seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of job ads that promise high earnings but are vague about the terms, such as commission-based pay without a fixed salary.
While flexible working arrangements are common, be sceptical of jobs offering unusually lenient schedules combined with high pay, like working only two days a week.
It's not impossible to land a job offer after a handful of conversations, but it's incredibly rare. At the very least, you should expect a formal interview from legitimate companies.
Interviews are essential to the hiring process, and legitimate companies will have a formalised procedure. Be cautious of any vacancy that offers you the position without an interview, as it's likely to be a fake job.
Genuine job adverts are detailed and well-written. Poor grammar, typos, and vague descriptions are signs of a potential scam.
Scam emails often contain poor grammar, random capitalisation, and suspicious contact information. Legitimate recruiters use professional email addresses and provide clear contact details.
Scammers may ask for bank details, National Insurance numbers, or payments for application processing, like DBS checks. Legitimate companies only request such information after a job offer and do not charge fees.
Tip: you can check gov.uk to see if you require a DBS for a specific role or have any further concerns.
Sometimes, you just have to trust your gut. While researching a company is your best defence, scammers are pretty clever today. If something doesn't add up, it's always best to play it safe.
Fraudsters employ various tactics to deceive individuals into divulging personal information. Below are seven prevalent job scams to steer clear of:
These schemes offer easy work-from-home opportunities with high pay but often demand upfront fees or personal information.
Additionally, these remote job scams involve offers for positions that necessitate purchasing specialised equipment or software from the scammer, usually at inflated prices or subpar quality, without genuine job prospects.
These deceptive websites closely resemble legitimate job sites or recruitment platforms, tricking users into providing personal information or making payments for non-existent job opportunities.
Fraudulent job offers sent via email often include hyperlinks to malicious websites or solicit sensitive personal data under false pretences. They aim to trick recipients into compromising their privacy or falling victim to identity theft schemes.
Scams advertised on social media platforms look to entice unsuspecting job seekers with false promises of employment or lucrative opportunities. It poses a significant risk to people looking for legitimate job opportunities, particularly the most vulnerable.
Fraudulent schemes posing as government job opportunities target individuals seeking stable employment with reputable organisations. The prospective employer's prestige leads many unsuspecting victims to disclose personal details.
Scammers infiltrate legitimate job sites by posting counterfeit ads, exploiting the trust job seekers place on these platforms. Even though there's often a rigorous screening process, fake jobs can fall through the cracks.
These scams involve false promises of high-paying data entry positions, often requiring payment for access to job listings, software, or training materials. Despite appealing offers, no genuine employment or substantial income opportunities are typically provided.
If you suspect that you've been targeted or have fallen victim to a job scam, take these three steps:
You can report job scams via:
JobsAware is a brand of SAFERJobs, a not-for-profit organisation partnering with government organisations and the Metropolitan Police that informs people how to avoid and report job scams and unfair working practices.
Alternatively, report the job scam to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre. Their reporting tool will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened, and their advisors are available 24 hours a day to help and advise if needed.
In addition, you can report the job scam through Citizens Advice via their Scams Action Service.
You can also learn more about job scams on Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention membership organisation that manages a database of fraudulent crime.
Do not be discouraged from searching for jobs online. There are ways to protect yourself and your privacy from scammers. In addition to keeping an eye out for the red flags associated with job adverts and offers, practise these online safety tips, too:
While applying to jobs broadly can increase responses, be selective to protect your privacy. Always check the privacy policy of recruitment agencies and job sites to understand how they handle your personal information.
When registering on job sites, only provide basic details like your name, email, city, job sector, and desired job title. Never share sensitive information such as your date of birth, address, or bank details.
Keep a log of all job applications, including the stages of each application, where you've registered your information, and the contacts you've interacted with. This will help you manage your job search and verify any potential cold callers.
Employers often screen candidates via social media. Increase your privacy settings to limit visibility to your name and profile picture. This will also protect you from scammers who might target job seekers.
If you want to ensure that your CV contains the right level of personal information, submit it for a free review. This will give you the confidence to tackle the job market head-on and safely.
