Trading Standards - Recruitment Scams

26th September 2024

Research by JobsAware has found that there was a rise of 259% in reports of recruitment scams last year, compared to 2022.

Around 30% of UK adults have experienced employment scams or fraud online, losing on average over £3,000 to scammers.

With September being a popular time of year for recruitment, job seekers are being warned to be wary of scams, both on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Linkedin and via WhatsApp.

Scammers impersonating recruiters may send messages with promises of well-paid, flexible work, such as writing product reviews for well-known brands.

In some cases, a scammer asks you to sign up to a website or app. Once signed up, you're told that you can earn money by completing simple tasks such as watching a video.

However, after completing a few tasks you are asked to 'upgrade' your account - to do this you'll have to pay a fee. On top of this, any ‘earnings' you have made will not be released to you.

Other messages offer 'easy work' which can be done from home and claim that you need no experience to fill the role. They often create a sense of urgency, saying that applications have to be sent in that day.

If you respond to these messages, the scammers go on to ask for your personal information and CV. You may also be asked to pay fees for administration and travel, or in some cases for fraudulent courses, background checks and other non-existent services.

How to Avoid
Genuine recruiters don't usually send unsolicited job offers via social media, text message or WhatsApp.

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.

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