Don't Be a Victim of Job Scams With These Tips

Finally, you receive a message confirming a job offer. The first reaction will probably be gratitude. After all, who wouldn't want to be flattered by a job offer? But then you read through the specifics and think, "Whoa, it sounds too good to be true." Congratulations on your observation skills because you could have just been scammed. Some people aren't so lucky.

The incidence of job scams in Singapore has been alarming authorities so much that the police have released several advisories warning jobseekers to be wary. Scamalert.sg reports that as of December 2021, job scams have claimed 4,554 victims, totalling 91 million Singapore dollars lost.

Mr. Desmond Tan, Minister of State for Home Affairs, said that young people who seek remote or work-from-home jobs are especially vulnerable to these scams.

Falling prey to these ruses is easy. These job scams usually come with promises of high pay or commission as well as other appealing considerations, such as a flexible work schedule.

Scammers have also become quite sophisticated. Some scams involve phishing – malicious emails posting as job ads that lead to you giving up your personal information. Others go as far as utilising mobile apps and social media. You must realise that these cons are designed to appeal to your preferences, and rob you of either your money or your efforts. 

If you’re hesitant about a job offer, make sure to follow these tips:

• Don’t accept a job without verifying the authenticity of the company.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited job offers.
• Don’t click on, download, or use unverified apps.
• Don’t allow anyone access to your bank account or credit card.
• Don’t transfer money in any way.
• Don’t pay to secure a job offer.

Don’t let yourself be conned into a job scam. If a supposed job offer has any of the red flags below, make sure to stay away. You’ll have plenty of opportunities elsewhere.

9 Sure Signs That Job Is a Scam

The offer is unsolicited. 

A headhunter offers job opportunities even when you’re not actively looking, but if a supposed offer feels completely random, unbelievable, and matches the rest of the points below, you should be careful. Hackers probably got your name and contact details when you signed up on an unprotected site. 

In this type of con, criminals will send you an email or call requesting an interview. Before you get all excited, it is best to get more information to check if the company and the offer are legitimate. 

Perform a background check on the company by searching for it online. Ask the caller for details, such as how they got your name and email address, as well as specifics about the job. It's a red flag if they can only give vague descriptions and seem wishy-washy about the details.

Some scammers use a real company's name to dupe their victims. Take the extra step to verify if the caller is employed in the company as claimed. Ask for their full name and check on the office to validate.

It has a questionable email address or contact number.

One of the offshoots of all these scams is that many companies have gotten into the habit of using legitimate work email addresses featuring their domain name. For example, someone working in JobStreet would have [email protected] as their email address. Check the spelling of the company’s name in the domain. Sometimes, scammers would add a subtle typo or extra symbol that you won’t notice at first glance. For example, a person pretending to represent JobStreet might use [email protected].

Start being sceptical if the email instead reflects a free mail service. Also, be wary of foreign numbers. A foreign number doesn’t translate to legitimacy. The best response would be to contact the company directly to ask about the job offer. Remember that you never need to respond to a job offer right away. Ask for time to "mull" the offer, then conduct some private research into the supposed company.

The company has no internet footprint.

These days, almost everyone and everything has an online presence. Lawful companies are searchable with exact addresses and contact numbers you can call. Even if the company doesn’t have a website, it will probably have a social media account or a profile on a job search platform. If the company is untraceable and has no online presence, then you should best step away and look for other opportunities.

It promises high pay with little effort.

Fraudulent jobs are tempting because they pay big rewards for little effort. Some would require you to click on YouTube or TikTok videos supposedly to build hype for the sites. Some promise that you could earn high commissions when you make crypto purchases for them. While you may earn at the beginning, at some point, communication with the company stops. By then, they would have already gotten your details or cash.

No employer would pay a lot for little work. Financially, it just doesn't make sense. Don’t be blinded by an incredible offer. If a company is promising you exorbitant amounts of money well above the job scope and experience, you can bet it’s a scam. Be guided by industry standards by using our Salary Guide. 

It requires no interview.

Be suspicious when the hiring process does not involve a job interview. If the employer shows no interest in you, they are probably just after your money. 

Interviews allow employers to assess the attitude and character of applicants before deciding to hire them. If the company chooses to skip this step, it means they are not valuing your personality or even how you fit into its company culture – which is a red flag, even when the job is legitimate. It also entails that they are not thinking long-term because it is not a legitimate company.

However, exercise your judgement. Some openings do not require interviews, such as most tradesperson roles.

You do not sign an employment contract.

A contract formalises your employer-employee relationship and is legally binding. A company that functions without this document doesn’t want to be legally bound or perhaps leave a paper trail. It is probably not registered with Singapore’s Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Steer clear from jobs that do not require a contract.

The company gives you malicious links.

Some scammers go to great lengths to fool their victims. They create websites and mobile apps that look professional and valid and ask applicants to sign up. Be wary of clicking on links when you apply for a job. It may lead to bogus applications that only exist to harvest your bank account or credit card information.

This type of scam became so severe in Singapore that, at the start of 2022, the government mulled over sending links via SMS. By September, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement telling citizens that only links ending in “.gov.sg” are legitimate, and even then users will not be asked to provide personal credentials.

The company asks for personal information.

When you sign up for a job, you do have to give out certain information, such as your birth name, address, and social security number. However, if you're asked to give your bank account or credit card details to apply for a job, then run the other way. 

Don’t be duped into giving your personal financial information to land a job. Your basic details are enough for most companies to verify that you are a real person. Giving your bank account or credit card information to recruiters means giving them access. It’s as good as handing over cash.

They're asking for payment.

The basic logistics of a job is you work, and the company pays. It shouldn't be the other way around. Even if many people are vying for the same position, companies wouldn’t require you to pay a fee to secure the job. You don’t owe them anything to process your application. When the recruitment turns into a money-making scheme, then the job was bogus from the start.

Scammers can be very persuasive. They may sound very professional and polite. But don’t be fooled. Scammers work hard to earn your trust, so you must be vigilant.

To be extra safe, remember to transact only with legitimate job search platforms such as JobStreet. Log in to JobStreet today to check out what opportunities are available for you. If you haven’t signed up yet, download the JobStreet app on Google Play or App Store.

To defend yourself against job scams, read these guidelines developed by the Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre. You can also check out our other tips for performing safe online job searches.