Is a job ad that shows a known company logo always genuine?
No. Scammers routinely copy company branding to make fake job listings look legitimate.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Fraudulent job postings often reproduce the exact logo, colour scheme, and boilerplate text of well-known employers. They appear on legitimate job boards because platforms cannot always verify each poster in advance. The listing may offer a salary above market rate, claim minimal experience is required, and ask for your contact details or personal information early in the process. When you respond, the fake recruiter conducts a brief interview by text or email — no video call — then sends an offer letter requiring you to pay for equipment, training, or a background check. Always verify job openings through the company's official careers page before responding to any advert.
Common red flags
- Salary notably above market rate for the role described
- Interview conducted entirely by text or email with no video
- Offer arrives quickly with no real vetting
- Equipment, training, or background check fee requested
- Employer email address does not match the official company domain
What to do now
- Search the company's official website for the same job listing
- Call the company's main line to verify the recruiter's name and role
- Never pay any fee as part of a job application process
- Report fake listings to the job board and company directly
Frequently asked questions
What if the job is listed on a major job board?
Major platforms allow anyone to post and use any branding. Presence on a reputable board is not verification of the employer's identity.