Unfortunately, in recent times, fraudulent job scams have become all too common, and this has led job seekers being persuaded to pay for non-existent DBS checks for a potential role that does not exist.
Typically, these scams are referenced as ‘Advanced Fee Scams’, where the potential job seeker is encouraged to pay upfront for recruitment administration fees, which include a supposed DBS check. These scams are typically sent through text and WhatsApp messages that have been cleverly crafted to get a job seeker’s attention.
So, with this in mind, what can potential job seekers do to avoid recruitment scams and keep themselves safe:
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Use trusted job sites
One of the first things you can do to keep yourself safe from recruitment scams is to use well-known and reputable job sites when looking for work. Websites that specifically exist to look for work will often have measures in place to detect and stop potential fraudulent job listings.
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Research the employer
Not sure if a job is too good to be true? Research the company ahead of time before applying for the role. Look up the employer’s website to ensure it seems legitimate and check their contact details.
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Be cautious of unusual offers
Be cautious of any job offers if you haven’t applied to work with the company. If an offer seems too good to be true, it possibly is. Be wary of high wages for low-skilled positions, or job offers without a formal interview.
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Double-check the job advertisement
If you see a job advert with poor grammar and spelling errors, then this could indicate the job advert is a scam. Also, most job adverts will provide a high amount of detail regarding the role, so also be wary if the advert is vague.
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Be aware of upfront payments
No job should come with an upfront payment! If you the role you have applied for requires background screening or DBS checks, this is not something you should be paying for. Be suspicious if you ever asked for money upfront for any job role.
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Report suspicious activity
If you come across a job advert that you suspect may be a scam, you should report it. The best place to report a fraudulent job advert is Action Fraud, the UK’s national centre for fraud and cybercrime.If you are unsure if a job advert is suspicious, you can always speak to a career advisor so they can investigate the role for you.
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Educate yourself
If you are currently a job seeker, then it is important to stay up to date up to date on current scams and techniques that could cause you to fall victim to a recruitment scam. This also includes if you are an employer looking to hire, it is important to keep up to date with current job application scams so that your advertised role doesn’t become affected.
Are you a potential job seeker? Or are you an employer looking to hire? Then get in touch with us today to discover how we can help your recruitment needs and avoid potential recruitment scams. You can contact us via our email info@cbscreening.co.uk, or call us on 01443 799900. Or, visit gov.uk for more information on how to keep yourself safe from recruitment scams.