How to Protect Yourself Against Employment Scams

In the current job market, which is saturated with competitive hiring conditions and over-qualified candidates, employment scams have become more rampant than ever before. With that in mind, this blog outlines key best practices to help you navigate your job search safely.  

What are employment scams? 

Employment scams are fraudulent schemes where scammers pose as legitimate employers or recruiters to deceive job seekers. These schemes come in many forms, such as fake job postings, phishing emails, fraudulent recruitment agencies or even fake company websites. With 79% of UK adults relying on online sources for finding their next place of employment, staying safe online while applying for jobs is more important than ever.

The job market is a popular breeding ground for fraud, with seasonal job scams up by 88% in 2020 from 2019. More recently, nearly 30% of UK online adults have reported experiencing employment scams, a rate higher than identity or dating fraud. With scammers targeting desperate individuals, the recently unemployed are a perfect target and the startling figures highlight the growing urgency of the problem. We have therefore created a comprehensive guide to help you stay safe during your employment search.

Dream job or digital heist?

This is an excellent question to ask yourself if you are suddenly contacted by a recruiter with a job that seems ‘too good to be true’. Be wary of overly enthusiastic recruiters who appear out of the blue with offers of incredible commissions, simple tasks and easy work-from-home schemes. These jobs may offer to hire you on the spot without interviews or references, so long as you make a small start-up contribution, background check payment or investment.

Of course, most of us aren’t first-time internet users and have the sense to stay away from obvious scams. Sadly, not all employment scams are easy to spot and they may come in a variety of shapes and sizes – some are easier to fall for than others. If you’re currently looking for a job or even if you’re happily employed, getting acquainted with some common employment scam red flags is always a good idea. With a 35% year-over-year increase in job scams, no one can afford to ignore this issue.

Common employment scam red flags

1. Unsolicited job offers

If you’ve received a job offer without applying for the position or after a minimal interaction with the employer, you may be the target of an employment scam. While legitimate recruiters may reach out proactively, genuine job offers usually come after a formal application and interview process. Be especially cautious if the message is vague, overly flattering or sent from a personal email address (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) rather than an official company domain.

2. Unbelievable salaries and benefits 

High salaries, exceptional benefits and promises of remote work and minimal effort can be enticing – but they may also be signs of a scam. If the offer seems too good to be true, such as getting paid an incredible hourly rate for a simple data entry job, it probably is. Be sure to be both cautious and critical if you’re approached with these types of offers. 

3. Requests for personal or financial information

In a genuine job offer situation, personal and financial information will typically be collected at the end of the recruitment process, usually following multiple interviews and the signing of a contract. Legitimate employers will have strict protocols in place to adhere to when handling sensitive information. If you’re asked to share your bank details or National Insurance number right off the bat, we recommend proceeding with caution.

4. Upfront application fees

A potential red flag is being asked to pay any fees, whether before starting the job or after receiving an offer. This might include charges for training, equipment, background checks or materials. While there are rare exceptions in certain fields, reputable employers typically cover these costs themselves. If you're asked to pay out of pocket, it's worth taking a closer look before moving forward.

5. Vague job descriptions 

Scammers will often use generic terms and provide limited job details, focusing more on enticing you to respond rather than giving concrete job information. If the advertisement or job offer seems vague but full of exclamations and big promises, this could be a sign you’ve been targeted by a scam. 

6. Unprofessional emails 

Have you received an email, text or message littered with spelling errors and awkward phrasing? Does the message just not look or feel like other recruitment correspondence? Has the email arrived from a personal email account rather than a company domain? These are all significant warning signs that you may have been approached by a scammer.

7. Pressure 

Does the correspondence urge you to act immediately? Does the recruiter follow up with multiple messages to push you to accept the position? Scammers frequently use urgency as a tactic, pushing you to make hasty decisions. If the recruiter or job application harasses you into responding, you should seriously consider the legitimacy of the position. 

8. Inconsistent or fake company information

If you struggle to find a credible business presence online or the contact details provided don’t match official sources, you could be the target of a scam. Your potential employer should have an easy-to-find, credible-looking website with matching contact information. This information can be easily verified through official government websites, such as GOV.UK, within minutes. 

Popular employment scams 

While job searching can be an exciting step forward, it also opens the door to potential scams. 
These schemes are not a recent development and many have been in circulation for years, often resurfacing in slightly modified forms. Knowing how these schemes typically work can help you recognise the patterns and avoid getting caught up in employment fraud. 

• Fake job listings: These may appear on social media sites or even legitimate job platforms, as some fraudsters manage to bypass authenticity safeguards. The roles they promote are often vague, seemingly effortless, requiring no qualifications or experience. These postings often request that applicants pay a fee, either to submit an application or to begin the role. In some cases, these postings are for ‘payment processing agents’ that essentially recruit job-seekers into money mule roles.
• Email or text offers: In this scheme, a recruiter will reach out to you directly, claiming to have come across your CV on a job platform. They may then ask you to reach out to them via a free messaging service such as WhatsApp, rather than proceeding on a regulated platform that allows individuals to report suspicious behaviour.
• Career consultants: Fraudsters posing as career consultants may reach out offering their services, alongside copious praise for your profile. By promising CV improvement and subsequent career success, these criminals may request payment before disappearing.
• Envelope stuffing: This scam advertises a remote job supposedly involving filling envelopes for a company, often promising unusually high weekly pay. However, before you can start, you’re asked to make a one-time payment for supplies or processing fees. Once you pay, you’re assigned to recruit more people for the scam, rather than stuff envelopes.

By learning to spot these scam attempts you can turn the tables on the fraudsters and keep your job search firmly on the path to genuine opportunity. 

How to protect yourself

If you’re job hunting or have been approached by a potential employer, you now know what red flags to look out for. To stay even safer during your employment search, here are some practical tips and precautions you can take.

• Research, research, research: Before engaging with a potential employer or accepting a job offer, take the time to thoroughly research the company. Make sure to trace their website, verify their contact information and check their socials and reviews. Once the employer’s validity has been established, chances are you can safely proceed.
• Stick to reputable job platforms: Using established job platforms such as LinkedIn, CV-Library, Indeed, or Totaljobs will lower your chances of encountering potential scams. Reputable career websites actively monitor for inauthentic listings and have the necessary tools to verify and filter job postings. However, we still recommend you conduct your research in case a scammer has slipped through the cracks.
• Never share sensitive information prematurely: Only provide personal or financial details at the very end of your job journey, once an offer has been made and a contract has been signed. Ensure you confirm the legitimacy of the organisation and are 100% satisfied that the company is reputable. Beware, some fraudsters may claim payment for any number of false reasons, such as visa processing, accommodation deposits, agency fees and more.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off – whether it's the tone of the email, the speed of the process, the salary offer or the way in which you’ve been approached, make sure to pause and investigate. Do not succumb to pressure and make a rushed decision.
• Get a second opinion: Consult people you trust, such as friends or family members, if you are concerned about the authenticity of your job offer. Don’t be afraid to ask around and get your questions answered. 

What to do if you encounter a scam

You may be a victim of employment fraud if you’ve been coerced to give out personal information, been made to fill out a detailed questionnaire or paid money to the scammer. Potential scam impacts include consequences such as lost time, credit score damage, financial loss and even identity theft, not to mention emotional distress.

Even if you have not responded to a job enquiry, if you suspect fraud, it’s a good idea to take action to ensure the fraudsters are stopped. 

• Cease communication immediately: If you suspect fraud, stop communicating with the scammer and do not share any personal information or money.
• Report the scam: Notify both the job platform and Action Fraud, the UK’s live 24/7 cyber reporting platform. Make sure you provide proof, such as screenshots, to better protect others from encountering the same scam.
• Contact your bank: If you have given the fraudsters any money or shared bank details, contact your bank and the police immediately. 

For more information on reporting, avoiding and learning about job scams, we recommend visiting JobsAware, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to protecting job seekers. 

Stay safe

Employment scams are a harsh reality in today’s job market, but by staying informed, alert and cautious, you can protect yourself from falling victim. Exercise common sense when it comes to your search for employment, and make sure not to become blindsided by false promises.

Remember: no legitimate employer will pressure you, demand upfront fees or ask for sensitive information without proper protocols. Stay vigilant, do your research and trust your instincts - because your career and finances are extremely important.