Beware of recruitment scams known to be targeting jobseekers

At Hays, your job search security is extremely important to us. With an increase in reported phishing job scams and instances of employment fraud across the United States, we’ve set out the best ways to stay secure.

Job and employment scams trick you into handing over money or sensitive personal information by offering you jobs that do not exist, often claiming to be from a reputable organization, like Hays.

An employment scam can include being contacted by somebody claiming to be a Hays recruiter via email, social media, SMS, WhatsApp, or on a job board, who may ask you to pass over personal details or financial information.

Phishing job and employment scams have become increasingly sophisticated, but knowing certain tell-tale signs could prevent you from becoming a victim.

Warning signs: how to spot a job or employment scam

If you receive communications regarding a job opportunity, the following warning signs could indicate a potential job scam:

  • You come across an advertisement, receive an email, message, letter, text, or phone call offering you a guaranteed income or job
  • The email is from an address that does not match the company’s name or domain. Check the contact’s email by hovering over name in the “From” section of the email and carefully inspect it for missing or added letters, for example
  • There is a suspicious profile image, lack of genuine profile information, activity or contact details
  • The message may claim that lots of money can be made with little effort using your personal computer, or guarantee large returns
  • The message asks you to provide personal details or a fee for more information about the job or start-up materials/equipment
  • You’re asked to transfer money on behalf of someone else or cash a cheque, which may be money laundering
  • You receive an unsolicited message from a recruiter using a generic email address, such as @Yahoo or @Hotmail, as point of contact
  • You’re asked to provide personal details or money, possibly in the form of an “administrative fee” or “accreditation costs”
  • You’re immediately offered a high paying job without an interview – if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is
  • The job advert is poorly written and contains spelling errors

What to do if you suspect a job scam purporting to be from Hays

If you’re ever in doubt about the authenticity of a Hays message, please contact your nearest Hays U.S. office using the contact information from our website.

Please note that Hays will never ask a candidate for any form of direct payment or to receive, and cash or deposit a cheque, and initiatie payment to someone, and all email correspondence from a Hays recruiter will be sent from the official Hays domain (e.g. firstname.lastname@hays.com).

What to do if you’re the victim of a job scam

If you suspect you have been targeted by a recruitment scam, please contact the appropiate investigative agency in the U.S. for fraud and cybercrime.

If you have exchanged any personal information with a suspected scammer, please report this immediately. Be sure to contact your bank immediately if you have transferred any money to a suspected fraudster.