Job scams: How to spot them and protect yourself

Job scams are a growing problem in the UK, with many job seekers falling victim to scams that rob them of their time, confidence, and money. Scammers use a variety of tactics, like fake job adverts, social media, or messaging apps, to lure unsuspecting job seekers into providing personal information or paying money upfront. Being deceived by a job scam can result in not only disappointment and time wasted, but also identity and financial theft. That’s why it’s important to know exactly how to spot job scams so you can protect yourself.

Are all fake job adverts a scam?

Yes and no. It all depends on what you mean by the term ‘scam’. Is it simply a dishonest act or does it involve criminal intent?

There are two main reasons to post a fake job advert. The first is to steal personal information or money. This is generally what people mean by a job scam. The second reason is to build a pool of contacts. Unfortunately, many companies still place fake job adverts for non-existent vacancies to build a resource of candidates for future recruitment purposes.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which of these reasons is true. Applying for a fake job advert is a waste of your time.

4 tips to avoid job scams

So how do you avoid scams while you look for a new job? Here are our 4 top tips.

  Do your research

Before you apply for a job, it’s always a good idea to research the employer. Here’s how:

• First stop is the company website. Does it look authentic? Does the website raise any red flags, for instance, pages that aren’t filled in or links that don’t work? Is the website secure? You can tell this by looking for a padlock icon in the address bar or ‘https’ in the website address.
• Visit the company’s social media channels on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. Are they posting regular content? Is it all sales and advertising?
• Do a general search on Google to discover company news and employee/consumer reviews.
• Finally, you can investigate the employer through Companies House.

  Protect your personal information

Never provide sensitive information like your national insurance number, bank account details, or debit/credit card information to an employer unless:

• you’ve researched the company and are happy that they and the job are genuine
• you have a secure job offer which you intend to accept
• there is a valid reason for the employer to request this information

Many candidates withhold their address and date of birth from CVs too.
If you are asked to provide this information, ask the employer why they need it and how they will use it. Genuine employers will provide you with a clear answer.

  Look for warning signs

Warning signs of a job scam are often subtle and easy to miss. That’s why it’s important to check a job opportunity before you apply. Job scam warning signs include:

• hearing about the job through a direct message on LinkedIn, through a messaging app like WhatsApp, or in an email, from a previously unknown recruiter or company
• being asked to email the company through a Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo account
• a job advert that contains lots of mistakes and typos
• not having a company website
• a vague advert that doesn’t make it clear what the job is
• being asked for money, for example, to pay for candidate screening
• the phrase ‘no experience is required’
• interviewing via a messaging app instead of in-person or by video
• being asked to buy start-up products or equipment from the employer
• overly aggressive and pushy hiring managers/recruiters

Any of the above on their own or in combination should raise your suspicions about the authenticity of the company and the job.

  Trust your instincts

This may be a cliché but if a job is too good to be true, it probably is. Many people ignore their gut instincts when a job opportunity seems a little off. This could be through naivety and a lack of experience, feeling intimidated by the employer, or sheer desperation to find a job. However, you’ll lose nothing by checking on a company and the job they’re offering before you apply.

Research the company, look out for job scam warning signs, and if you’re still undecided, speak to one or two trusted friends or contacts for their opinion.

Wrapping it up

Most people think they can spot a job scam, and yet more and more fraudulent schemes pop up each year. The best way to avoid a job scam is to research the employer, protect your personal details, look out for warning signs, and always trust your instincts.