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There has recently been a huge increase in recruitment scams, where people receive unsolicited texts or WhatsApp messages.  They offer paid work completing simple tasks such as writing online reviews for products or services, liking social media posts, completing surveys or watching videos.

In one recent case, a man from the West of Scotland who had been looking at job opportunities on social media received a text message that appeared to be from a recruiter. The message offered him a well-paid opportunity working from home and the man replied, confirming that he would be interested in finding out more.

Following a short conversation about the opportunity, the scammer posing as a recruiter asked the man to provide proof of his identity, supposedly so that they could process his application. They asked for photographic identity and the man sent an image of his passport.

The scammer then stopped communicating with him and blocked his number. A couple of days later the man's bank notified him that somebody had tried to open a credit card in his name.
 
How to Avoid
Legitimate employers/agencies will not ask you to make an upfront payment or deposit to secure work.

Genuine recruiters don't usually send unsolicited job offers via text message or WhatsApp.

Be suspicious if you are contacted out of the blue and offered a job that requires no experience, can be done from anywhere and promises large returns for little effort.

Avoid clicking on links in unexpected messages and don't provide your personal details, employment history or bank details unless you have verified that the sender is a genuine recruiter.

Verify that the employer/recruiter you are speaking with is legitimate by contacting them using a phone number or email address listed on their official website or social media accounts. Check official records on websites such as Companies House to confirm that the organisation offering you the job actually exists.

Don't include personal information such as your address, date of birth or NI number on your CV or public profiles on a recruitment sites.

Never accept a job without a formal interview. If the interview is carried out remotely, it should be conducted via a recognised video platform where you can see the interviewer and talk in real time.

If you believe you are at risk of identity fraud, or if your personal details have been stolen, you can apply to use Cifas' Protective Registration service as an additional way to try to prevent fraud taking place in your name. Find out more: https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr

Find out More
Jobs Aware website: www.jobsaware.co.uk/jobseeking-advice
Advice from Which? on avoiding recruitment scams: www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/job-scams
ScamShare Spotlight PDF on Recruitment Scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/Spotlight-Recruitment.pdf
Cifas Protection Register: https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr

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