Imagine being contacted about what sounds like a great job opportunity. You have a conversation with a recruiter, take part in a video interview and are sent a technical assessment to complete.
Everything seems genuine.
But what if it isn’t?
That’s exactly the kind of sophisticated job scam that is increasingly targeting jobseekers. A recent BBC report highlighted the case of a man who was approached by a fake recruiter on LinkedIn and went through what appeared to be a genuine recruitment process before downloading malicious software. Within hours, £18,000 had been taken from his cryptocurrency accounts.
The worrying part is that this wasn’t an obviously fake email or poorly written job advert.
The scam involved a professional-looking recruiter, a video call and what appeared to be a normal technical assessment.
Modern job scams don’t always look like scams.
So, how can you tell whether a job is genuine, and what should you look out for when you’re contacted about a new opportunity?
What is a job scam?
A job scam is a fraudulent job opportunity designed to deceive a jobseeker.
Scammers may be trying to obtain money, personal information, passwords or access to your computer or other devices. Some create completely fake vacancies, while others impersonate genuine employers or recruitment agencies.
Increasingly, scammers are also impersonating individual recruiters on platforms such as LinkedIn and using realistic interview processes to make their approach appear genuine.
That means simply checking whether a job advert looks professional isn’t always enough.
How to spot a job scam
There isn’t always one obvious warning sign. Often, it’s a combination of smaller things that should make you stop and check.
Here are 10 things to look out for.
1. You’re contacted unexpectedly about a job
An unsolicited message doesn’t automatically mean it’s a scam.
Recruiters regularly approach candidates who may be suitable for roles, particularly when they have relevant experience.
However, if someone contacts you unexpectedly, take a moment to establish who they are.
Check the recruiter’s name, company and contact details. Look for the vacancy independently rather than relying solely on the information or links contained in the original message.
2. The job sounds too good to be true
A very high salary for relatively little experience, guaranteed earnings or promises of rapid progression should make you pause.
Scammers know that an attractive opportunity can encourage people to act quickly without carrying out basic checks.
Research similar positions and compare the salary, responsibilities and requirements with legitimate vacancies.
3. You’re being pressured to act quickly
“Apply now.”
“Your interview must be completed today.”
“Pay the fee before your place is secured.”
Pressure is a common feature of scams.
A genuine recruitment process can have deadlines, but you should still be able to take reasonable time to establish who you’re dealing with.
If someone is trying to stop you from checking the opportunity, that’s a warning sign in itself.
4. You’re asked to pay money
This is one of the clearest red flags.
Be extremely cautious if you’re asked to pay money to:
- Apply for a job
- Secure an interview
- Guarantee a position
- Receive equipment
- Complete mandatory training
- Process your application
You shouldn’t have to pay someone simply to access a legitimate employment opportunity.
If you’re asked for money, stop and independently verify the organisation before doing anything else.
5. You’re asked for sensitive information unusually early
Recruitment processes involve personal information, but you should understand what information is being requested, why it is needed and who you’re providing it to.
Be particularly cautious if someone you haven’t independently verified asks for passwords, security codes, banking details or other sensitive information.
The National Cyber Security Centre’s guidance on phishing and scams recommends contacting organisations directly using trusted contact details if you aren’t sure who has contacted you.
6. You can’t independently verify the recruiter
Take a look at the recruiter’s professional profile.
Can you find them on the company’s official website? Does their email address match the organisation they claim to represent? Does their employment history make sense?
Also check the company itself.
A convincing LinkedIn profile isn’t proof that someone is a genuine recruiter.
Where possible, verify the person’s identity through the organisation’s official website or by contacting the company independently.
7. You’re asked to move the conversation somewhere unusual
Be cautious if someone immediately wants to move your conversation away from the platform where they initially contacted you, particularly if they’re directing you towards an unfamiliar website or messaging service.
Moving to email or telephone isn’t inherently suspicious — legitimate recruitment processes do this all the time.
The warning sign is when you’re being pushed away from a recognised platform without a clear reason, particularly if other red flags are present.
8. You’re asked to download unfamiliar software
This is particularly important following the recent fake interview scams reported by the BBC.
You may be told that you need to download an application or software to complete an interview, technical assessment or recruitment process.
Stop before downloading anything unfamiliar.
Verify the request independently with the employer or recruitment agency.
Indeed, for example, specifically warns about fake interview applications and says that it does not require candidates to download a special app to participate in interviews.
Don’t assume something is safe simply because it uses a familiar company name or logo.
9. The interview process doesn’t seem right
Online interviews are now a normal part of recruitment.
A genuine interview might take place through Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or another recognised platform.
The platform itself isn’t the issue.
Be cautious if the person interviewing you cannot clearly explain the role, employer or recruitment process, if the entire process is conducted through informal messaging or if you’re asked to install unfamiliar software to continue.
A video call doesn’t automatically prove that the person on the other end is genuine.
10. Something doesn’t feel right
Sometimes there isn’t one huge red flag.
The salary might seem slightly unusual. The email address might not quite match. The recruiter might be putting you under pressure. The job description might not appear anywhere else.
Individually, these things may not prove anything.
Together, they could be enough to warrant a closer look.
If something doesn’t feel right, stop and check.
A genuine job opportunity shouldn’t disappear simply because you took a little time to verify it.
Job scam detector: 10 questions to ask yourself
If you’re unsure whether an opportunity is genuine, run through this quick checklist:
1. Can I independently verify the employer?
2. Can I find the vacancy on the employer’s website or through a reputable recruitment agency?
3. Can I verify the identity of the recruiter?
4. Does the recruiter’s email address match the organisation they claim to represent?
5. Is the salary realistic for the role?
6. Am I being pressured to make a quick decision?
7. Have I been asked to pay money?
8. Have I been asked for sensitive information unusually early?
9. Have I been asked to download unfamiliar software or an app?
10. Can I independently contact the company using details from its official website?
If several answers raise concerns, stop and investigate before continuing.
Can a job interview be a scam?
Yes.
Fake job interview scams can be particularly difficult to identify because they can look very similar to a genuine recruitment process.
A scammer may create a convincing recruiter profile, arrange a video call, discuss the role and then send a technical assessment.
The recent BBC case demonstrates how convincing this can be. The victim believed they were progressing through a genuine recruitment process before downloading a malicious file.
The answer isn’t to avoid online interviews.
Video interviews are a normal and useful part of modern recruitment.
Instead, verify the people and organisations involved before downloading software, opening unexpected files or sharing sensitive information.
Can job scams happen on LinkedIn or Indeed?
Yes.
Being contacted through a recognised job platform doesn’t automatically mean that the person or vacancy is genuine.
LinkedIn and Indeed both provide advice to help jobseekers identify suspicious recruitment activity.
The important thing is not to assume that a job is legitimate simply because it appears on a well-known platform.
Check the recruiter. Check the employer. Check the vacancy.
And if you’re asked to download something as part of the process, verify that request before doing so.
Are job recruitment texts a scam?
Not necessarily.
Legitimate recruiters may contact candidates by text, particularly if you’ve previously applied for a role or given the recruiter permission to contact you.
However, be cautious about unexpected messages offering jobs you haven’t applied for, particularly if they:
- Contain unexpected links
- Ask for personal information
- Ask you to download an app
- Ask you to make a payment
- Create a sense of urgency
- Direct you to an unfamiliar website
If you’re unsure whether a message is genuine, don’t use the contact details contained within it to verify the sender.
Instead, find the company’s official website and contact the organisation independently.
The NCSC has further guidance on how to recognise and report suspicious emails, texts and other communications.
How to check if a job is real or fake
One of the simplest ways to check a job is to verify it independently.
If the role is supposedly being advertised directly by an employer, visit its official website and look for the vacancy on its careers page.
If a recruitment agency is advertising the position, visit the agency’s website independently and see whether the vacancy appears there.
You can also check:
- Whether the employer has an established online presence
- Whether the recruiter genuinely works for the organisation
- Whether the recruiter’s email address matches the company
- Whether the job description appears consistently across trusted sources
- Whether the salary and responsibilities seem realistic
- Whether you can contact the organisation using independently sourced details
Don’t rely solely on a link sent to you by someone who contacted you unexpectedly.
How to check if an employer is legitimate
Research the company before sharing sensitive information or progressing too far through the recruitment process.
Start with the employer’s official website and look for information about its business, locations, people and contact details.
You can also look at its professional social media presence and independent information about the organisation.
Most importantly, establish that the person contacting you is genuinely associated with the company.
Scammers can impersonate genuine businesses, so finding a real company online doesn’t necessarily prove that the person contacting you is legitimate.
How to check if a recruitment company is legit
A reputable recruitment agency should be transparent about who it is and how candidates can contact its team.
Look for:
- An established company website
- Clear contact information
- Named consultants and identifiable team members
- A professional online presence
- Current vacancies that can be independently verified
- Information about the sectors and roles it specialises in
- A clear and professional recruitment process
You should be able to contact the agency independently rather than relying solely on a message, email address or telephone number supplied by someone claiming to work there.
Why using a reputable recruitment agency can help
Working with an established recruitment agency can give candidates another layer of reassurance because there is a real organisation and identifiable consultant behind the opportunity.
You should be able to speak to someone about the role, understand who the employer is, ask questions about the recruitment process and independently verify the agency you’re dealing with.
At Jonathan Lee Recruitment, our specialist consultants work directly with candidates throughout the recruitment process, helping them understand the role, employer and next steps.
You can view our latest vacancies or contact our recruitment team directly.
How to spot a fake recruitment agency
Fake recruitment agencies may attempt to imitate established businesses or create convincing websites and professional profiles.
Look for inconsistencies.
Does the agency’s website match the information provided by the recruiter? Does the consultant actually appear to work there? Does the email address match the company’s domain? Can you find independent information about the business?
Be particularly cautious if someone claiming to be a recruiter:
- Asks you for money
- Requests passwords or security codes
- Wants sensitive information before you’ve established who they are
- Uses an unofficial email address
- Pressures you to act immediately
- Asks you to download unfamiliar software
- Cannot clearly explain who the employer is
- Refuses to provide independently verifiable contact details
What should you never download during a recruitment process?
Don’t download unfamiliar applications, executable files or software simply because someone says it’s required for an interview.
If you’re asked to install software, verify the request independently with the employer or recruitment agency.
Where an app is genuinely required, go directly to the organisation’s official website or an established app store rather than using a download link supplied in an unexpected message.
Indeed’s guidance is particularly clear on this point: it says that it does not require a special app for interviews and warns candidates not to download files sent directly to them.
What should you do if you think you’ve been targeted by a job scam?
If you suspect that a job opportunity is fraudulent, stop and take a step back.
Don’t send further personal information, click additional links or download anything else.
If you’ve opened a suspicious link or installed software, follow appropriate cybersecurity advice. The NCSC recommends running a security scan if you’ve followed instructions to install software and changing passwords if you’ve shared them. If banking information has been compromised or you’ve lost money, contact your bank immediately and report the incident through the appropriate channels.
You can also report suspicious emails, websites and other communications to the NCSC. Its reporting service is free and helps the organisation identify and disrupt malicious activity.
Most importantly, don’t be embarrassed about reporting what happened.
Modern job scams can be extremely convincing, and anyone can be targeted.
Stay safe when searching for your next job
The vast majority of employers and recruitment agencies are legitimate, and online recruitment remains one of the best ways to find your next opportunity.
The key is to take a few minutes to verify who you’re dealing with.
Check the employer. Check the recruiter. Check the vacancy. Be cautious with links and downloads. Never pay to secure a job.
And remember: a legitimate recruitment process should give you confidence, not pressure you into taking unnecessary risks.
If you’re looking for your next career opportunity, you can explore the latest jobs with Jonathan Lee Recruitment or speak directly to one of our specialist recruitment consultants.
FAQs
How to check if a job is real or fake?
Check that the vacancy appears on the employer’s official website or through a reputable recruitment agency. Research the company, verify the recruiter’s identity and be cautious if you’re asked for money, sensitive information or unfamiliar software.
What are some red flags that might be a job scam?
Common warning signs include unrealistic salaries, unsolicited approaches, pressure to act quickly, requests for payment, unusual requests for personal information, suspicious email addresses and requests to download unfamiliar software.
How to check if an employer is legit?
Research the employer independently through its official website and other trusted sources. Check that the vacancy exists and that the person contacting you genuinely works for the organisation.
How to tell if a company is scamming you?
Be cautious if the company asks you for money, sensitive information or passwords unnecessarily, pressures you to act quickly or asks you to download unfamiliar software. If you’re unsure, stop and independently verify the organisation.
Are job recruitment texts a scam?
Not necessarily. Legitimate recruiters may contact candidates by text, particularly following an application. However, unexpected job offers, suspicious links, requests for personal information and pressure to act quickly are all reasons to verify the message before responding.
How to check if a recruitment company is legit?
Check the agency’s official website, contact details, consultants, online presence and current vacancies. You should be able to independently verify the recruitment company and contact it directly.
How to spot a fake recruitment agency?
Look for inconsistencies between the recruiter’s information and the agency’s official website. Be particularly cautious about requests for money, unusual email addresses, pressure to act quickly, unverifiable consultants and requests to download unfamiliar software.
Can a job scam happen on LinkedIn or Indeed?
Yes. Scammers can impersonate recruiters and employers on recognised job platforms. Always verify the recruiter, employer and vacancy independently before sharing sensitive information, clicking suspicious links or downloading software.
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