Sometimes, a job offer or interview isn’t quite what it seems.

Job scams are on the increase…

www.getsafeonline.org

Get Safe Online

The internet is by far the most popular choice for job hunters in the UK*.

But for this reason, it is also the channel of choice for job scammers.

Anybody can become a victim, and the perpetrators can be anybody

from a dishonest individual to a well-organised criminal gang.

Facebook, LinkedIn and Gumtree are popular sites for these fraudsters to

operate, but fake jobs can be found frequently on legitimate job boards.

They come in many guises, but all are designed to steal either your money or

your identity. Over 2,500 job scams were reported to Action Fraud last year

… here are some typical ones:

• Being charged a fee for

up-front checks, CV

preparation or training.

• Being paid up front and then

being asked to pay some of

the money to a third party.

This is called money muling,

a serious crime which attracts

harsh penalties, even to the

unsuspecting.

• Being asked to call for a

telephone interview, on what

is in fact a very expensive

premium-rate number.

• Being asked to provide identity

details before you have met in

person, or bank details until

you have started – which

could result in fi nancial or

identity fraud.

Looking for a new job?Keep a lookout for job scams too.

Turn the page for our top tips on safe online job hunting, and for comprehensive but easy-to-follow advice visit www.getsafeonline.org, click on Protecting Yourself then Job Searching.

Take a minute to ask yourself:

“Would I really have to pay up front for that?”

“Why are they paying me when I haven’t even started work yet?”

“Why do they want my bank details when I haven’t even had a written job offer yet?”

*In 2014, 67% percent of job seekers started their job search online. Figure: Recruitment & Employment Confederation

Top tips

• Never part with money – employers should pay you, not the other way round.

• Don’t take anything at face value, be cautious and don’t be afraid to ask searching questions.

• Don’t do everything online – you should meet in person at some point.

• Carry out research on the employer to make sure they really exist.

• Don’t phone for an interview on a premium rate number – it could cost you a fortune.

• Never accept money up front or for doing nothing – it just wouldn’t happen in a real job.

• Never provide personal data like bank or identity details until you have met face to face.

For full information and advice, visit www.getsafeonline.org

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