How to avoid getting caught out by scam job adverts

Scam jobs are fake adverts, usually used to obtain data from people, such as contact or card details. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a job is legitimate or not, which is why we’ve put together our top tips on how to spot a fraudulent advert.

They contact you

Look out for scammers who claim to have found your CV online. They will then offer you the job with little to no interview process. To reduce your chances of being targeted, make sure you only upload your details to reputable job websites such as jobs24.com.

It sounds too good to be true

If something in the job ad sounds too good to be true, then unfortunately it probably is. A major red flag is if the job appears to pay much higher than the industry standard for similar roles.

Vague job description and requirements

If, as well as being suspiciously high paid, a job appears to have little to no entry requirements it’s likely to be a scam. If it’s a real job, the requirements will usually be quite specific. Remember, highly paid jobs usually require experience or qualifications equal to that pay grade.

Similarly, if you cannot find a clear job description or list of job duties, then the job could be a scam.

Email errors

Look out for spelling or grammatical errors in your communication with the employer.

Remember, no legitimate employer would send emails from a personal email address. If they claim to be from a large, reputable employer then check that the format of the email address follows the standard for the company.

Search results don’t add up

Before agreeing to an interview or accepting a position, research the company. Search for both the company’s name and email address. Be wary if you cannot find any information on the company or it’s been flagged by others as a potential scam.

They want you to pay for something

No reputable employer would ask for money or confidential information. Alarm bells should be ringing if you’re asked to provide bank details before you’re given a signed contract, or to buy certain software, training or services.

Similarly, you should not be asked to use your personal bank account to transfer money or forward packages from your home. If you participate in these activities, you could be unwittingly committing a crime.

Remember, the best thing to do is to trust your instincts. If you begin to feel that something isn’t right, then don’t be afraid to slow the process down and ask questions. Do as much research as possible and if you think you are being targeted by scam employers then report it to the police.

One place you don’t need to worry about scams is on jobs24.com. Search all the best jobs from trusted employers online now.

Posted on February 21, 2019