Common employment scams and how to stay safe

Reports of employment scams are on the rise, with people being targeted by fake get-rich-quick schemes and dodgy paid CV services that deliver little value. In 2024 alone, Action Fraud received nearly 5,000 employment scam alerts, up from around 2,000 in 2022.

The consequences of employment scams can be devastating. Earlier this year, the BBC reported that seven people in Hertfordshire were scammed out of £200,000 after applying for fake jobs.

As unemployment rises, it’s likely we’ll see even more scammers target people looking for work. In this article, we’ve rounded up the most common scams to look out for and how to stay safe during your job search.

Common employment scams to look out for

Here are some the most common employment scams and what they look like.

Phishing texts or emails

Phishing texts or emails aim to steal your personal details or money. Scammers get hold of your number or your email address, then get in touch about “an exciting job opportunity” which doesn’t exist.

Usually, these texts or emails will:

• be generic – they won't typically use your name or refer to any of your actual experience
• make outlandish promises – offers to earn hundreds every day by working from home doing simple admin work for a few hours are generally fake
• contain poor grammar or spelling mistakes – professional companies rarely send sloppy messages; AI is making it easier for scammers to write polished messages, so a well-written message can also be a scam
• come from generic domains – instead of official company emails, they use addresses like gmail.com or other free services

These types of communications are best ignored as you’re likely to get scammed if you engage with them.

Fake job scams

Fake job scams come in many shapes and sizes but usually involve some form of payment upfront.

If a job asks you to pay a fee to apply, that’s a huge red flag. You shouldn't have to pay anything to apply for a real job.

Some job scams are even more elaborate. You might go through a whole recruitment process for a job abroad, be told you’re successful, and then asked to pay fees to sort out your visa, accommodation, and travel costs.

It’s true that not all jobs abroad cover relocation costs, but in that case, you’ll usually also arrange your own visas and travel without having to pay the company.

Money mule jobs

A money mule scam tricks job seekers into moving stolen money through their personal bank accounts. Scammers pose as legitimate employers offering roles like “payment processing assistant,” “financial coordinator,” or “remote finance clerk.” They claim you’ll be helping with international transactions or handling client payments.

The scammers will usually ask to deposit money into your personal bank account, which you’ll then be asked to transfer to someone else. They might frame this odd request as a “temporary arrangement” while their systems are under maintenance.

In reality, you’re laundering money for criminals which is a crime in and of itself. If you get caught, your bank account will be closed, you’ll struggle to get credit, and you might even go to prison.

Paid coaching or CV services

Looking for jobs is hard and job seekers are desperate to stand out. That’s where dodgy career coaches and CV writers come in. They usually offer unrealistic promises like guaranteed job offers, secret job boards, and access to private networks if you pay a hefty upfront fee to use their services.

In reality, the services are often subpar and those offering them have no credentials, the secret job boards are no different from what you would find on Indeed or LinkedIn, and the private networking gets you nowhere.

If you need help with writing a CV or practicing interview skills, there are lots of free resources. The National Careers Service, for example, offers everything from CV writing advice to interview tips.

Job scam red flags to watch out for

Worried a job might be a scam? Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• The job comes with really high pay for little to no effort – as a general rule of thumb, if it sounds too good to be true, it is
• You're asked to pay upfront – legit jobs don’t charge you to apply or to run credit checks
• You’re put under pressure to act quickly – if you’re given unrealistically tight deadlines and told you need to “pay now” to secure the job, that’s a good sign it’s a scam
• You’re contacted for a job opportunity out of the blue – this could be legit if you’re being head hunted, but generic messages on WhatsApp that don’t address you by name are usually scams
• You’re contacted for coaching or CV writing services – high-priced coaching or CV writing services with unrealistic promises (100% guaranteed to land a job) are a waste of time
• You’re asked to move money around through your own account – this is a sign of a money mule scam that can land you in prison for several years

How to stay safe

With so many convincing scams around, it’s hard to stay safe especially if you’ve been looking for work for a long time and think you’ve finally found a great opportunity. But, here are a few ways to make sure you avoid falling for a job scam:

• Check the company’s official website and verify the job listing there
• Look for a physical address and phone number; if these are missing or seem suspicious, that’s a red flag
• Search for reviews or complaints about the company on sites like Glassdoor or Trustpilot
• Check that communications come from an official company domain, not a free Gmail or Hotmail account
• Don’t share sensitive details (like your National Insurance number or bank account) until you’re sure the employer is legitimate
• Avoid sending copies of your passport or ID early in the process

If you think you’ve fallen for an employment scam, you should:

• stop talking to the scammer immediately and ignore future messages
• contact your bank if you’ve made any payments to see if they can recover them
• contact Action Fraud to report the scam
• protect your personal data; if you’ve shared personal details, monitor your accounts and change passwords if necessary

Employment scams are on the rise, but there are ways to stay safe and protect your personal information and money.