Stay safe when applying for jobs online

Today the Employment Minister Damian Hinds has publicised research showing that 1 in 10 jobseekers have fallen foul to job scams.

On average, applicants are being scammed out of up to£500 on various upfront payments. Keith Rosser, chairman of SAFERJOBS says “in the last 2 years we have witnessed a 300% rise in recruitment related fraud and misconduct”

 

Here are our top tips for staying safe online:

 

1. Don’t pay
Be very wary of job roles that ask for cash upfront for things such as security checks, visa’s, stock (if working from home) etc.
It isn’t illegal for the employer to request that you pay for a DBS / CRB check, but it is the most common option. Please note volunteers do not have to pay a fee for these checks.

2.  Don’t call first

Let the interviewer call you for a telephone interview – premium rate number scams can be used which cost you for every minute you’re on the line.

3. Hold back personal details 

Don’t disclose personal details if you don’t need to.
We take copies of your ID, proof of national insurance and your bank details so we can pay you – we take these in person when you visit our office.
If you’re being asked for these details to be sent via email, make sure that it is a reasonable request. If you’re unsure, speak to someone. 

4. Make sure they’re real

Scammers can reach out to you after finding your contact details on job boards, offering roles at well known companies.
Be sure to check that the representative of the company is who they say they are before sending any confidential documents over – email signatures can be easily forged and convincing email addresses can be made.
If they really are calling from the company, you can expect to visit their offices for an interview, and be able to reach them from the main office telephone number.

5 Research.

You should research the company and make sure they’re reputable. A quick search on Google should bring up their website, social media, reviews and other associated content. For very small businesses, you could try searching on Companies House, or visiting the premises if you’re local to ensure the company is what it claims to be.

 

For more information on recruitment scams and how to keep yourself safe, please visit:
https://www.safer-jobs.com/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/call-for-more-industry-action-to-stop-recruitment-fraud