Job seekers fall victim to scammers

Nearly three in four job seekers applied for non-existent positions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and scams are still “extremely prevalent”, according to new information from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Some victims even were deceived into paying for Disclosure and Barring Service checks that never took place, the research says.

JobsAware, the non-profit organisation previously known as SAFERjobs, is working alongside the DBS to raise awareness among potential candidates of the risks.

“Lack of awareness and education surrounding employment fraud is one of the reasons that job seekers fall victim to these scams – it’s important that applicants are equipped with the relevant knowledge, enabling them to identify potentially fraudulent adverts,” a DBS statement said.

“Information provided through fraudulent job adverts can be used in a number of ways by criminals, including identity theft,” the statement advised.

Dr Suzanne Smith, executive director of barring and safeguarding at DBS, said: “We know that some companies have taken money for DBS checks from unsuspecting applicants, who are relieved that they have been promised a position; but the DBS check never arrives and the job was never real. The negative impact on the person on the other end of these scams is significant.”

Keith Rosser, chair of JobsAware, noted: “With the way we work and look for work continuing to evolve, scams are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated. We know how damaging it can be to fall victim now more than ever. That’s why it’s important to educate and arm job seekers with the understanding and support they need to recognise and report suspected fraud.”

 

image credit | iStock

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