Is a gig work app that requires me to pay a background check fee before I can work legitimate?
Legitimate gig platforms cover background check costs themselves or use trusted third-party services at no charge to workers.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Background check fee scams target people looking for flexible work through apps. The fraudulent platform explains that a criminal records check or DBS check is mandatory before you can accept jobs, and directs you to pay a fee — often between [amount] — either to the app directly or to a linked 'screening service'. Once you pay, the platform either disappears, never gives you access to jobs, or invents new fees for insurance, uniforms, or training. Real gig platforms such as those for driving, delivery, or care work either absorb check costs or use accredited providers who never charge the applicant directly. If an app asks for money before you have earned anything, treat it as a strong warning sign. Verify the company on a business register and look for independent reviews before paying anything.
Common red flags
- Fee required before you can start working
- Background check must be paid through the app or a linked website
- Company has no verifiable address or phone number
- No independent reviews on established platforms
- Fee escalates — insurance, training, or equipment charges follow
What to do now
- Never pay a fee to start a job — legitimate employers do not charge workers
- Search the company on a business register
- Check for reviews on independent sites
- Report fee-charging fake gig platforms to your consumer protection agency
Frequently asked questions
What if the app promises to reimburse the fee after my first job?
This promise is rarely honoured. The fee reimbursement is used as a hook to make the request seem reasonable — do not pay it.