Job ads are a favourite hiding place for scammers because people applying are hopeful and often in a hurry. A genuine employer does not need your money or your banking details to hire you.
Signs a job ad may be fake
- The pay is far above normal for the work, with no experience or skills required.
- The ad names no company, no address and no specific duties.
- You are “hired” without an interview, or only after a chat message.
- The contact is a free email address or a messaging app only, and the company has no website you can find.
What you should never pay for
A real employer does not charge you to apply, to be interviewed, to receive a contract, for training materials, a uniform, a background check or a “registration” fee. If you are asked to pay before you start, walk away. Be equally careful with offers to pay you to receive money or parcels on someone else’s behalf, which can make you part of a fraud.
Check the employer
- Search for the company name together with words such as “scam” or “reviews”.
- Look for a working website, a physical address and a landline or office number.
- Ask for the job title, duties, pay, hours and the name of the person you would report to, in writing.
- Visit the workplace or meet the employer in a public place before you commit, and tell someone where you are going.
Protect your documents and details
Share only what is needed at each stage. An application needs your CV and contact details. Copies of identity documents, bank details and addresses are normally only needed after a formal offer, and only by a verified employer. Never send photographs of cards, passwords or one-time codes.
If you are an employer
Describe the role honestly: duties, pay range, hours and location. Do not ask applicants for money. Clear ads attract better applicants and are less likely to be reported.