UK Jobseekers Targeted by Rising Recruitment Scams, Warn Authorities

Jobseekers in the UK are being urged to remain cautious as reports of job and recruitment fraud have more than doubled in the last two years, according to new figures obtained by the BBC.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre, received 4,876 complaints related to job scams in 2024—up from 2,094 in 2022. These scams typically involve criminals offering fake jobs to trick people into paying fees or handing over personal information.

The UK government has condemned these crimes, calling them “absolutely shameful” and saying fraudsters are taking “unfair advantage of innocent job seekers.”

One victim, Anna (not her real name), said she applied for a job listed on a trusted website and was asked to pay £280 for an HR course. She was later told to pose as a recruiter and post job ads on her social media. The scammers then made her collect and forward the personal details of new candidates—who were also being asked to pay fees.

“After the first week, I realised what was going on,” Anna told the BBC. “The recruitment process was just a cover-up to gather people’s personal information.”

Recruitment agencies have also been affected. Sean Neary, who runs an engineering recruitment firm in Cheshire, said scammers have been impersonating his company for nearly three years. “We still get daily calls about this,” he said. “It’s damaging our reputation.”

Businesses are being impersonated as well. Stephen Taylor, managing director of Winterwood Farms in Kent, said scammers posted fake job ads in the company’s name for high-level roles. People contacted the farm after believing they were about to start a job or when scammers asked them for money.

Experts warn that fraudsters are using emails, texts, WhatsApp messages, and job boards to target victims. Clive Phillips from Kent County Council’s Trading Standards team said these scammers often send convincing fake job listings.

“Red flags include offers with very high salaries, vague job descriptions, requests for upfront payments, and poor communication,” Phillips said.

Jobseekers are advised to check that companies are real and confirm contact details before sharing any personal information.

According to Action Fraud, the average amount lost per report was £4,707 in 2024.

Keith Rosser, chair of JobsAware, said new rules under the Online Safety Act require platforms to remove job scams. However, he noted that enforcement is still developing.

Lorraine Laryea from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation reminded the public that it is illegal for recruiters to charge jobseekers. “You should never pay to get a job,” she said.

An Action Fraud spokesperson added, “Avoid unsolicited messages, do not pay fees upfront, and protect your online accounts with strong passwords and two-step verification.”

The Home Office said work is underway on an expanded Fraud Strategy as part of the government’s broader Plan for Change. Officials are collaborating with law enforcement, industry partners, and tech firms to tackle these criminal networks and prevent online fraud.

Tips to Stay Safe:

• Do not pay any fees to secure a job.

• Research the company and confirm its contact details.

• Be cautious of vague or overly attractive job offers.

• Never share personal or financial information with unverified sources.

• Report suspicious activity to Action Fraud.