You post your resume or CV on the internet so that future employers can view it and hire you.

Someone pretending to be an employer or an employer’s representative contacts you and informs you that you are being considered for a position. You’re asked to complete a survey and maybe interviewed over the phone. For more information, you may be directed to the employer’s website.

Eventually, you’re notified that you’ve been successful and you are hired.

You get a call to make preparations for accepting your employment offer. Since the work is in another country, they discuss travel, lodging and visas. You’re directed to a company that appears to have a trustworthy website. For a charge, the agency will assist you with all your plans.

You are asked for your bank account details in order to set up salary payments. Before you realise, you’ve been scammed.

There is no work, and all the payments you’ve made have gone directly to the scammers.

Recruitment Fraud is a growing attack on individuals. Over the last few months, scammers have extorted people into giving away personal information and money in a desperate hope of securing a job.

Given the rise of this type of attack, here’s our guidance on everything you need to know about Recruitment fraud and how to keep safe.

How can you tell if you’re a victim of Recruitment fraud?

  • You’ve been contacted by someone claiming to be an employer’s agent offering you a new job.
  • You’ve answered a questionnaire or provided them with personal information over the phone.
  • As an administration fee, you’ve handed them money.

If you’re a victim of Recruitment Fraud – What should you do?

  • Stop communicating with the ‘agency,’ but write down their contact information and report it to Action Fraud.
  • If you’ve handed them money, call your bank right away.
  • Notify the owners of the website where you submitted your CV that it is being utilised by scammers.
  • Don’t give the fraudsters any more money. If this is the case, contact your bank to inform them.

How to avoid getting scammed?

  • Check documents for mistakes in spelling and language, as this is frequently an indication of fraud.
  • Enquire at the embassy of the country where you believe you will be working about obtaining a visa and the cost. Check that the responses you received from the possible employer are the same; if they aren’t, it might be an indication of fraud.
  • Check official records to ensure that the company giving you the job is legitimate. If it does, confirm the employment offer by contacting the organisation immediately using the officially provided contact information.
  • Inform the employer that you will be responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements. Beware if they try to persuade you otherwise.
  • If the employer or agency gives a webmail email address as a point of contact, such as @Yahoo or @Hotmail, be cautious.