Scam Safety When Job Hunting
How to spot fake job listings, recruitment scams, and work-from-home fraud — and protect your personal information during your search.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Job seekers are a prime target for scammers. Fake job listings harvest CVs full of personal information, charge for 'training' that never materialises, recruit for money-mule roles disguised as legitimate positions, or simply disappear after collecting application fees. When you're looking for work, the combination of hope and urgency can make it harder to apply the same scepticism you might normally use. Knowing the patterns makes them much easier to spot.
Common job scam patterns
Most job scams follow recognisable patterns. Learning them helps you filter them out quickly.
- Vague job descriptions with unusually high salaries for minimal experience
- Jobs that require you to pay upfront for training, uniforms, or equipment
- Offers made without a formal interview or after only a brief message exchange
- Requests for bank account details early in the process — before any contract
- Work-from-home reshipping or parcel-forwarding roles that are actually money-mule positions
Protecting your personal information
A CV contains a significant amount of personal data. Be selective about where you share it and what it contains.
- Use a professional email address that doesn't contain personal details
- Omit your full home address from CVs shared on public job boards — a general location is enough
- Never provide your National Insurance number, bank details, or passport before a verified job offer
- Only upload your CV to reputable, established job platforms
Verifying employers
Before sharing information or attending an interview, do basic verification checks on the employer.
- Search the company name plus 'reviews' and 'scam'
- Check the company exists on Companies House or the equivalent official register
- Verify the recruiter's email domain matches the company website
- Call the company on a number from their official website to confirm the role exists
If something feels off
Trust your instincts. Legitimate employers are not rushed and will not pressure you into quick decisions.
- Pressure to accept quickly is a warning sign
- Requests for payment at any stage are a red flag
- If you've shared documents with a suspicious employer, monitor your credit report
Conversation script
“If anyone ever asks for money as part of getting a job — training fees, equipment deposits — that's a scam.”
“Before you send your CV anywhere, let's check the company is real and the job listing looks legitimate.”
“If you're asked for bank details before you've signed a contract, pause and let's look at it together.”
Frequently asked questions
A job asked me to use my bank account to receive and forward payments — is that normal?
No. This is a money-mule role. It is illegal — even if you were unaware the money was criminal — and can result in prosecution and a damaged credit record. Stop contact immediately and do not forward any money you have received. Report it to your bank and to Action Fraud.
I paid for 'training' and never heard back — what can I do?
Contact your bank or card provider to report a fraudulent transaction and request a chargeback. Report the job listing to the platform it appeared on and to Action Fraud. Keep all receipts, correspondence, and the original listing as evidence.
How can I tell if a recruiter is real?
Check that their email domain matches a real company website, search the recruiter on LinkedIn to verify they work there, and call the company directly on a number from their official website. A real recruiter will welcome these checks.