Charlotte Grainger 
The best protection against fake jobs is education and vigilance
The harsh reality is that job scams exist. While cons have been around for years, technological advancements have enabled scammers to target job seekers via increasingly sophisticated methods. According to the Online Scams and Fraud Research, 30% of adults in the UK have experienced fake employment scams online. So, how do you know if a job is a scam and avoid them altogether?
What is a job scam?
The first step in spotting a job scam is to understand what it is. 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:
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Fake job advert: Scammers exploit reputable job sites by posting poorly designed yet appealing ads, often promising higher pay for fewer hours or easy work. Fake vacancies are easy to fall for, especially if they look legitimate to an unsuspicious person scrolling on their device, but there are common job ad qualities that scream “fake.”
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Fake WhatsApp messages: Scammers pretend to be recruitment agencies, sending victims WhatsApp messages to entice them into handing over details. Scammers posing as 2i Recruit in Surrey had victimised 25 people using this approach. Additionally, WhatsApp scammers had used fraudulent “interviews” to steal £3,000 from an unsuspecting job seeker.
11 warning signs of a job scam
With an alarming 259% rise in job scam reports recorded in 2023, today's job seekers are reminded to be extra vigilant of fraudulent job opportunities. Here are 11 red flags to help you know if a job is a scam:
1. You've been cold contacted
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.
2. The company has no 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.
3. The pay is completely unrealistic
Looking for a high-paying job? 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.
4. The schedule is too flexible
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.
5. You get an immediate job offer
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.
6. The ads are vague and poorly written
Genuine job adverts are detailed and well-written. Be on the lookout for poor grammar, typos, and vague descriptions are signs of a potential scam.
7. Emails and messages look – and sound – unprofessional
Additionally, recruitment scam emails often contain poor grammar, random capitalisation, and suspicious contact information. Legitimate recruiters use professional email addresses and provide clear contact details.
8. You're receiving random requests for money
Prospective employers should not be asking you for money. Companies do not charge you – the job seeker – a fee when placing you in a role. So, if you find that someone is asking you for money, you should be highly suspicious.
9. They ask for confidential information
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.
Top tip: You can always check gov.uk to see if you require a DBS for a specific role or have any further concerns.
10. You spot other errors and inconsistencies
As a discerning job seeker, you should always be on the lookout for errors and inconsistencies. Perhaps the job title changes from email to email. Maybe the pay is unclear. Whatever the case, you need to be wary of these issues. It may be that this is not a legitimate job offer!
11. Something just doesn't feel right
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.
7 common types of job scams
Fraudsters employ various tactics to deceive individuals into divulging personal information. Below are seven prevalent job scams to steer clear of:
1. Work-from-home and remote work equipment scams
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.
2. Fake employment or recruitment websites
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.
3. Fake job offer emails
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.
4. Fake jobs on social media
Recruitment 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.
5. Government job scams
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.
6. Job scams on verified job sites
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.
7. High-paying data entry job scams
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.
What to do if you've been a victim of or suspect a job scam
If you suspect that you've been targeted or have fallen victim to a job scam, take these three steps:
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Stop all communications with fake employers and report the job scam.
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If you have parted with money, contact your bank immediately. Do not give any more money to the fraudsters.
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Then notify the website operators where you uploaded your CV that scammers are using it.
You can report job scams via:
JobsAware
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.
Action Fraud
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.
Citizens Advice
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.
How to protect yourself from job scams
Do not be discouraged from searching for jobs online. There are ways to know if a job is a scam and protect yourself and your privacy from fake job advertisers and recruiters. In addition to keeping an eye out for the red flags associated with job adverts and offers, practise these online safety tips, too:
1. Be selective with CV sharing
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.
2. Limit 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.
3. Track your job applications
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.
4. Secure your social media
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.
Outsmart job scams!
Job scams are on the rise, and so it's important to protect yourself. In this guide, we've covered everything you need to know about this seedy industry and what you can do to keep yourself safe. Follow the advice we've shared on how to know if a job is a scam and, if something feels “off,” double up on your research.
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.
This blog was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.