Of all the scams on the internet, fraudulent job listings can be particularly hard to spot. Scammers imitate legitimate companies, conduct seemingly professional interviews, and fake company web pages to convince victims the listing is legitimate. Job scams have only gotten worse this year as scammers attempt to take advantage of the many vulnerable people out of work. To protect yourself from falling prey to a fraudulent job listing, look out for these signs.
The details of the posting are vague
Scammers make job postings as vague as they can to draw in as many victims as possible. A vague job posting is often the first sign that something is off. If the requirements are basic thresholds almost anyone could fulfill (for example, if one of the only requirements is ‘must be over 18’), that’s a red flag. ‘No experience necessary’ is another common red flag unless the position is entry-level or offers on-the-job training. If the responsibilities section of the posting doesn’t mention any specifics, it could be a sign that the scammers are casting a wide net.
Along with vague details about the job, look out for vague details about the company. Many legitimate listings will have a section with information about the company, what they do, and what kind of employee they are looking for. However, not all listings without company information are fraudulent, it is merely an indication that you should look out for that information online before trusting the listing.
The company’s online presence is fishy
To avoid being scammed, the onus is on you to do your research. An online presence doesn’t guarantee a job posting is not a scam as a website can be easily fabricated, but it is a good starting point. Does the company website look professional? It should contain plenty of information about the company, with good grammar and no spelling mistakes. Look for contact information and keep an eye out for any anomalies (a lack of telephone contact or office address is typically a bad sign). Check the company profile on LinkedIn and scroll through the list of employees. If there are verified profiles listed at the company, and the job listing also appears on LinkedIn, that’s a good sign.
Scammers do not always use new company names in their fraudulent job listings. Some will use the names of existing companies and imitate their listings, making them appear realistic. The Fraud Triangle Forensics investigated a case where scammers were imitating a client’s job posting and requesting money in the application process. These scammers used examples of previous listings but changed the contact information, making the opening appear legitimate. To avoid this problem, call the company to ask about the position or check their official website in a separate search – many companies have a dedicated vacancies page on their website.
The company or listing has been reported before
During your online search, look at company review websites and combine the company name with ‘scam’ in the search to see if anything comes up. If someone has been caught out by the same listing before, there may be personal accounts posted online. Job websites like Glassdoor may also be useful. Employees or applicants submit their reviews of a company and may also provide information about the interview and hiring process. If something seems off, or the information on the page doesn’t match the process you’ve been through, it may be fraudulent.
You have to pay to apply
This is the biggest red flag, but many job seekers still overlook this well-known warning in the hopes that they find work. If any payment is required in the application process, it is a scam. No legitimate company will ask you for money to apply at any stage of the application process. This includes asking you to pay out of pocket for any software they provide out, or to pay for your own training before you get the position. Some scammers may pose as a legitimate company to grant an interview, and then ask you to you use services from other companies they own, like getting a credit report or resume review. You should not have to pay anything to apply for a job.
You’re asked to provide personal information
By law, there is certain information a company is not allowed to ask you for. These laws differ by region, so make sure you know your rights when you’re asked for information during the application process. That being said, there is some information you should never provide to anyone – especially potential scammers. Never give out your bank account information, even if they say the information is required to authorize your pay checks. Some fraudulent ‘interviewers’ may also request personal information to use in identity theft or to break into your accounts. Always be weary of what information you are handing out – you never know what the receiver may do with it.
The correspondence is unprofessional
Email correspondence is often where scammers falter. If the emails from the company or recruiter are unprofessional, you may be dealing with a scammer. Some tell-tale signs are spelling or grammatical errors, an unprofessional tone, or lack of an email signature. Some studies have shown scammers employ these tactics on purpose to draw in those more likely to fall for the scam.
The email address itself may be a clue. Companies usually use an in-house email address that is consistent across all departments. If the receiving email address does not match the company (which can be found through a quick internet search) it is likely a scam. For example, our company email is example@tftf.co.za. A scammer may change this to example@tf-tf.co.za to appear legitimate. Pay attention to the details to avoid being caught out.
They ask for an interview via text or chat
Legitimate companies will usually want to interview you in person. For online or remote jobs, interviews are usually over video call. At minimum, there should be a phone call of some kind with the employer. If the entire interview process consists of messaging over texts or online chat platforms, you may be dealing with a scammer. Even if the interview questions sound legitimate, make sure you do some digging on the company and never give out any personal information.
It sounds too good to be true
Good jobs are unfortunately difficult to find in many industries and it is an employers market. If anything surrounding the job is suspicious, be wary of any fraudulent activity. For example, if the company contacted you out of the blue claiming they found your information online and want to offer you a position immediately (even if it sounds like a legitimate offer), beware of any further requests as this is a tactic favored by scammers. If the salary is far higher than usual, or you got the job immediately after the interview or without interviewing at all, question the circumstances before agreeing to anything. As cliché as it is, the saying ‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably is’ applies.
These are guidelines, and by no means a complete list of the measures scammers use to draw unsuspecting victims in, but it is always good to be aware of these common tactics. Go with your gut – if something feels off about a position, recruiter, or interview, it probably is. Stay on the safe side and protect yourself from falling victim.