Check the employer, domain, interview process, job duties and payment requests before sharing personal documents.
Find the vacancy on an official channel
Look for the job on the company’s official career page and check whether the role, location and contact details match. A logo and a copied job description do not prove that the person messaging you works for the employer.
Watch out for upfront payments
Be suspicious if a recruiter asks you to pay for training, equipment, a visa, a background check or an interview through an unverified channel. Legitimate processes vary by country, but guaranteed jobs in exchange for quick transfers are a serious warning sign.
Inspect email and messaging details
Check the sender’s domain and call-back details independently. Free email addresses are not automatically fraudulent, but unexpected urgency, spelling inconsistencies, secrecy and refusal to speak through official channels deserve careful checking.
Protect identity and banking information
Do not send passwords, one-time codes or full banking credentials to a recruiter. Share identity documents only when the employer and stage of recruitment are verified and the request is lawful and necessary.
Pause and verify independently
Contact the company using contact details found separately from the message. If the offer appears fraudulent, stop engaging, preserve evidence and report it to the platform or relevant authority. Never pay a “recovery agent” who promises to get scam money back.
Editorial note: This guide is general information, not professional financial, legal, medical or investment advice. Check authoritative and up-to-date sources before acting on important claims.