Recruitment fraud is on the rise, especially targeting overseas candidates and those desperate to find the right opportunity. It’s not only disheartening — it can also be devastating for those affected. So I wanted to share some helpful tips to help you or your candidates steer clear of these scams.
What Is Recruitment Fraud?
Recruitment fraud involves scammers posing as recruiters or employers to trick job seekers into handing over money or sensitive personal information. These scams can be sophisticated and convincing — but there are warning signs you can learn to spot.
Here Are a Few Things You Should Know:
1. Always Check the Email and Website Domain
Legitimate employers and recruitment agencies will use a professional domain name. For example, you might see something like john@company.com. Be cautious if you’re contacted from free email services like Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail — or if the website domain looks odd, like company.freewebservice.com. These are red flags.
2. No Real Company Will Ask for Your Personal Info Upfront
Your personal details, like bank info, or social security numbers, should only be shared after you’ve signed a formal contract. If someone asks for this info during the application process, it’s likely a phishing attempt. To stay safe, consider using an identity theft protection tool that can monitor and alert you if your information is compromised.
3. If You Didn’t Interview, It’s Not a Real Offer
A real job offer comes after a proper interview process. If you get a job offer out of the blue or without applying for a role, it’s time to get suspicious. Genuine recruiters will contact you via a company phone number or email – not a random mobile number or social media account.
4. You Should Never Be Asked to Pay Anything
Recruiters or employers should never ask you to pay for things like background checks, training, travel, or accommodation. If someone’s asking you for money during the hiring process, it’s a scam — no exceptions.
Warning Signs of Recruitment Fraud
- The message is not personally addressed to you.
- You’re asked to pay fees for training, credit checks, or travel.
- There’s no physical address for the company — only a PO Box or generic email.
- You’re asked to share banking or financial information early on.
- The sender is using a free or suspicious-looking email address.
- You get a job offer you never applied for.
- The job ad or offer lacks specific details about experience or qualifications.
- The salary or benefits seem too good to be true.
- You’re asked for bank details
- They ask you to set up a new Hotmail account and connect via Skype.
- Your antivirus flags the email or attachments as suspicious.
- You’re sent to a fake website designed to steal the info you enter.
The job market is tough enough without having to worry about being scammed. As recruiters, we take your trust seriously, and our goal is always to protect and support you. If something doesn’t feel quite right, it probably isn’t.
Always verify before you engage — and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A quick Google search or call to the company’s main office can save you a lot of heartache.
Stay safe out there — and as always, feel free to reach out if you need guidance.
