How to Spot Social Media Job Scams

As social media becomes more intertwined with our daily routines, sly cybercriminals are using it to trick people with fake job offers; What are these social-media recruitment scams, and how can you spot the red flags?

With over 32% of South Africans struggling to find jobs, it is no wonder that scams targeting job seekers are becoming more common. “Cybercriminals are always evolving their tricks to match the latest trends,” asserts Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA. As job searches on social media grow, so does the potential for recruitment-related fraud.

Types of recruitment scams

There are two types of recruitment scams, although they all have the same aim: conning you into giving them money or your details. The first kind involves impersonation, in which fraudsters pose as legitimate recruiters and reach out to you via WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, LinkedIn or email. They may use stolen logos and profile pictures of very attractive people to lure you into thinking they’re from an HR department or recruitment firm.

Recently, there have been scams where fraudsters posed as the Department of Employment and Labour to advertise fake job opportunities. In these incidents, individuals seeking jobs were required to pay R250 upfront for supposed “background checks” at PEP stores. Similarly, job seekers from the North-West province fell victim to a scheme where they paid for transportation to an interview and half-day training in Centurion, only to find out that the job offers were non-existent.

The second type of scam involves fake job postings. Using legitimate job boards, scammers post fake job offers to get your personal information. Facebook, with its broad user base, is particularly desirable for scammers. They exploit the platform’s features, like Groups and Marketplace, to post fake job listings and approach potential victims.

Here are three clear indicators that the job posting or recruitment drive could be a scam.

Unsolicited offers and unprofessional communication

Beware of unsolicited job offers, especially if you didn’t apply for them. Legitimate employers follow a formal recruitment process and will not haphazardly reach out on social media. Another red flag is unprofessional communication. Spelling errors, poor grammar, an international phone number on WhatsApp, or an email address from Gmail or Yahoo should make you take a step back.

Remote work that pays well

Another warning bell is that the job offer is “fully remote,” and offers very attractive remuneration. Often this is a sign that it’s a scam, as criminals know that most people want to work from home. Also, if the salary sounds astronomical for the particular position, be wary. Rather, research what the salary range of similar positions is before you respond to tempting job offers. It’s also better to verify the job offer is real by contacting the company directly.

Requests for payment or your info

However, the most significant warning sign is when they ask for payment for application fees, training courses, or background checks. As per the Employment Services Act, no one can charge jobseekers for employment services. If you are asked to pay anything for your recruitment, it is a clear scam.

Similarly, legitimate employers will not ask for your sensitive personal information, such as your ID number or bank account details, until a very advanced stage of the recruitment process. This information is usually only requested after a job offer has been extended.