A new scam targeting job seekers could lead to losses of up to £12,600, as experts warn of increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics
London: So, there’s this new scam going around that’s really got people worried. Scammers are getting super clever, and they’re targeting folks looking for jobs. It’s wild how they can end up costing someone around £12,600!
These fraudsters are setting up fake job offers that look legit. They’ll ask you to fill out surveys or do tasks for what they claim is work. But in reality, it’s just a way to get into your wallet.
Employment scams have shot up by nearly 300% this year. It’s crazy! Paul Hampson, who runs a fraud recovery firm, says that while some people lose a few hundred, others are losing thousands. It’s a real problem.
He mentioned that scammers often target vulnerable people who are desperate for work. They use well-known job sites to lure you in, promising high pay for easy jobs that you can do from home.
But here’s the catch: they’ll ask for money upfront. It could be for training materials or some kind of fee they claim you need to pay. Even if it feels off, these scams can seem super convincing, even to those who know their way around the internet.
More and more people are looking online for side gigs, like watching ads or filling out surveys. But this can make them easy targets for scammers who want you to pay to access these opportunities.
Paul’s firm has seen a rise in these scams over the past year. He says the average loss is around £12,600, which is a lot of cash!
He warns that if a job offer asks for money, that’s a huge red flag. Always do your homework on the employer. If they reach out via WhatsApp or email, try to contact them through official channels to check if the job is real.
Sometimes, scammers even use real employee names to make their offers seem legit. So, if you look them up, you might find a LinkedIn profile or something that looks real.
Always verify with the company directly. Be cautious of jobs that hire you on the spot without an interview or proper checks. Real jobs will want to see your qualifications before making an offer.
And for goodness’ sake, don’t share personal info like your bank details unless you’re absolutely sure the employer is legit. Some scammers might use that info to hit you with another scam later on.
