Job scams spike when unemployment is high, and scammers know desperate people act fast. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Red flags

  • They ask you to pay. Real employers never charge for applications, interviews, uniforms or “registration.”

  • The offer comes too easily. A job offer with no interview is suspicious.

  • Everything happens on WhatsApp. A real company has an email address on its own domain, not only a chat number.

  • Vague job details. No company name, no location, and a salary that seems too good to be true.

  • Pressure to decide now. Scammers want you to act before you think.

  • Requests for ID copies, banking details or PINs early on. Only share these after you’ve signed a verified contract.

How to check an advert

  1. 1.

    Search the company name plus the word “scam.”

  2. 2.

    Check that the website exists and matches the email domain.

  3. 3.

    Look for the same job on the company’s own careers page.

  4. 4.

    Ask a friend or family member to look it over.

Stick to trusted sources. Work-Force lists vacancies from established aggregators, but always do your own checks before sharing personal details.

Before you apply, make sure your CV isn’t holding you back: here are 7 CV mistakes to avoid.