Job scams: The student and graduate guide for staying safe


HOW TO SPOT A
JOB SCAM

Like genuine job postings, job scams can literally appear anywhere online, from job boards,
to social media, to search engines. You must educate yourself on what a scam might look like.
Here are the key signs and symptoms of a job scam.

Did you know 41.9% of students admit that they wouldn't even recognise the signs of a job scam!
Everyone is on social media, so it’s not really surprising that scammers are now using these platforms to find new victims.

Contact details - Email address

A personal or randomised email addresses should raise a red flag e.g. joebloggs@outlook.com or lofny76jd9dsf@email.net.

Contact details - Phone number

If the contact number looks made-up, you don't recognize the area code, or it's a premium rate number, it's probably a scam. And when you try to contact the company, you’ll find that the phone number is no longer connected.

No online presense

If you can't find the company on a Google search, on social media channels or in the news, be concerned. A true company has its own specifiactions at any online platform.

It's too good to be true

Scammers target those that are desperate. If an ad has an unrealistic salary, "You could make $60000 a year" mentioned or there's no experience required, it's likely a scam.

You've got an immediate job offer

If you have sent off your CV and within minutes you've got a response, Speedy Gonzales is probably a scammer! A genuine company will never reply too soon.

They ask for money

If the job ad asks for a reservation or holding fee, or states that you need to pay for training or security checks don't do it! Genuine ads never ask for money.

They ask for personal details

If the job ad or "recruiter" asks for bank details, proof of ID e.g. driver's license or details you would never include on your CV, it's probably a scam.