How To Avoid Getting Scammed When Looking For A Job

Introduction

We understand how exciting it is to start a new job, but at the same time, there are some things to watch out for. Even though you may have found your dream job online, be careful! We know that this topic is not just a rumor. Unfortunately, recently we were involved as a company in such a scam. So we decided to bring awareness to this topic! 

Here are some tips on how to avoid getting scammed in the process of employment:

Be aware of frauds during employment!

If you are a candidate, it is better to be aware of fraud in the recruitment industry. Recruitment scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated, using fake websites and posing as recruiters who will ask you to pay money for their services or ask you to withdraw money from your bank account and send it to someone else.

The first step is always checking the job offer on a reliable website before sending any personal information or money. If the job doesn’t exist there, don’t apply!

Recruitment frauds affect both candidates and brands negatively:

• It costs time and, in some cases, no small sum of money for candidates who get involved in these scams;
• It creates negative emotions among people who have been cheated;
• The company's brand image suffers from such cases involving its name;

What is Employment fraud?

Employment fraud is a scam in which someone is hired for a job that doesn't exist. Scammers use fake websites and emails that mimic the design of legitimate businesses, and they can even publish a position through LinkedIn or other job portals with low security.

You may also be at risk for employment fraud if you are looking for work as an employee, contractor, or freelancer.

They require you to provide personal or financial information.

If you see a job ad that requests personal details, such as your credit card number or bank account information, do not respond to it. This is usually a sign of a scam. Legitimate employers don't ask for this kind of information when they're hiring employees.

Be careful when giving out your personal information! Scammers are using these tactics to steal your identity and commit fraud.

Fake recruiters may request access to your online banking accounts or ask you to pay for your hardware, insurance, or work permits, without an actual job offer or after they make you an offer.

A common scam is the 'recruiter' who asks for money upfront or after you've been offered a job. 

• They might say they need to pay for your visa, work permit, or insurance.
• The scammer will ask you to pay a fee upfront, without an actual job offer, or after they make you an offer.
• If a recruiter is asking for money upfront, it's more than likely that they're trying to rip you off. Recruiters are paid by their clients (the employers), so they don't need your money!
• Also, be wary of recruiters who ask for money AFTER they have made you an offer: if the company wants to hire someone badly enough, wouldn't they pay all associated costs?

Don't believe everything you see online, and be extra careful when giving out your personal information!

If you are unsure whether or not an offer is legitimate, contact the company directly through phone or email on their website. If they don't want to respond, chances are something isn’t right!

Be cautious when giving out your bank account details or credit card numbers over the phone or email – there are many ways that scammers can steal this information and use it to commit fraud against you!

How do S-PRO hire, and how to protect yourself applying to one of our open positions?

S-PRO is a registered company with many years of experience. We follow a formal recruitment process, including HR screening, soft and technical skills assessments. We don’t just hire anyone — we thoroughly check all candidates before they start working with us.

• We will always make sure that our employees know what they can expect from their new job, both in terms of salary and benefits (which include free equipment). At no point will you be asked to pay any money.
• If you found an open position on some job portals – check if we have it on our website. All open positions are listed on our Career Hub, so it may be better to apply through the official website.
• If the recruiter is offering you a job after the first phone call – it’s a scam. Our interviews are going through three stages where candidates can decide if S-PRO is suitable for them. 

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand the dangers of employment fraud and how to avoid being scammed. If you think you’ve been targeted by an employment scammer, report it immediately to the police or your local authority. 

All open positions are listed on our Сareer Hub, so if you see something that appeals to you, don’t hesitate to apply!

If you think that you have experienced fraud while applying for some of our positions, please contact me, Alena Koverdyuk, Recruitment Lead, via team@s-pro.io