Are you being used?
Whether applying for full time work, or a part time role perhaps reflecting age or parental responsibilities, employment websites – such as Indeed and LinkedIn – are very popular. They allow you, from the comfort of your home, to place your CV or personal details on internet job sites, so that potential employers can see them and, hopefully, offer you a job.
However, fraudsters are always lurking – and job scams are more common than you might think. Recent data from Ofcom shows that of 43 million adults who have encountered scams or fraud online, 30% have come across fake employment scams.
These scams may come in two forms – someone purporting to be from the business contacts you to acknowledge your application; or someone claiming to be from a recruitment agent contacts you to say they are considering you for another position.
In the former, the person may tell you that the job you are now being considered for is different to the one you applied for. In the latter, the job you are being offered probably does not exist.
In either case, you will be invariably asked to divulge personal information including your bank details. You may be asked to pay initial application fees, with further payments for supposed travel or accommodation related to the promised employment.
So, if you are –
- contacted by someone claiming to be an employer’s agent offering you a new job; or
- asked to fill out a questionnaire or to give them personal information about yourself over the phone; or
- asked to give money to them as an administration fee…
think very carefully as you may become a potential victim of employment fraud.
Further advice can be obtained by emailing
trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk
To report a suspected crime, or if you have fallen victim to fraud or cyber-crime, contact Action Fraud via its website or by calling 0300 123 2040