How to spot a recruitment scam – 10 red flags to look for

Starting a job search can open up exciting possibilities for the next step in your career. Sadly, it’s also an opportunity for scammers to engage with you, offering you the perfect role in exchange for valuable information – or even money. 

This is a worldwide issue. Reports of fake recruiters have led to losses of $49m in Canada and have doubled over a two-year period in the UK – and it’s happening where you are, too. As a result, how can you tell the difference between a real job vacancy and a scam? 

In this blog, we’ll explore the red flags that suggest this opportunity is too good to be true.

Why are you being targeted with a recruitment scam? 

In a typical scam, you’ll receive a message from someone claiming to work at an existing, established organisation. They’re hoping that you recognise the brand and might even reference a real opportunity on the company’s official website. Never assume that someone who appears to work for a major recruitment group is in fact an employee. Alternatively, you might not recognise their supposed agency, but they present themselves as an authentic recruiter.

Even if you don’t make any payments to these people, that doesn’t mean you’re not at risk. In some cases, the purpose of the scam is to obtain more of your personal data. The scammer can then use or sell this for other purposes, such as identity theft. 

That’s why it’s important to avoid or ignore these recruitment scams from the outset, or disengage as quickly as possible once you’ve realised that this isn’t a real opportunity. 

What are the warning signs of a recruitment scam? 

This isn’t a complete list of red flags, since scamming methods are constantly evolving. Fraudsters can easily use AI to generate fake profile pictures, or write messages similar to those from a genuine recruiter. However, any of the issues on the list below is a good indicator that the person you’re speaking to isn’t who they seem to be. 

1. They contact you with an unsolicited message via email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media, or job boards offering a guaranteed job or income. 
2. They have a low number of LinkedIn connections (especially if there aren’t many from the same recruitment agency) or engagement with colleagues in their posts. 
3. Their LinkedIn profile contains generic job titles or descriptions, or has no active history (such as comments, likes or posts). 
4. They use a personal email address (such as @gmail.com) or a lookalike domain (such as @haysjobs.com instead of @hays.com). 
5. You don’t have a live conversation with them, either by phone or over video. 
6. They send you a job offer letter or specification that looks unprofessional. This is harder to spot now that AI tools can help scammers to create them to a professional standard. Look for incorrect company branding (research their latest logo and strapline) or an absence of contact details on the letter.  
7. The job offer doesn’t detail the skills required, or specifies basic skills and platforms. 
8. They ask you to make a payment. Never send any money to secure a job or “mandatory” training – no authentic recruitment company would request this.
9. Their offer is too good to be true, with a far higher salary you know is normal (check the typical salary for a role using Hays Salary Guide). 
10. They push you to send your details quickly and tell you that everything needs to be done urgently, giving you less time to assess them or conduct any research. 

What should you do if you suspect a recruitment scam? 

There are three things that you immediately must NOT do if you suspect a recruitment scam: 

1. Open any attachments or follow any links in their communication. 

2. Provide personal details beyond what is available on your LinkedIn profile. 

3. Send any money or provide payment details 

If you’re still unsure as to whether that person is who they say they are, then there are some further steps you can take: 

1. Research: Explore their company website and look into when the business was founded. Search for reviews and see if their site appears on anti-scamming websites such as scamwarners.com. If the recruiter claims to be from a larger, trusted company, the see whether the job advert is on their website and apply directly. 

2. Report: LinkedIn are very proactive in detecting and blocking scammers. If you believe someone could be a fake recruiter, select the ‘More’ button at the top of their profile page and select ‘Report/Block’. 

Stay vigilant 

You may be struggling to find employment in your sector, but it’s important that you remain patient and vigilant so you don’t end up being duped by fraudsters. Be thorough, stop to think, and consider the above advice each time you’re contacted with a job offer to protect yourself.