Job seeker safety and recruitment scam awareness

Most employers are genuine, but recruitment scams exist everywhere, including on job sites. These general precautions will help protect you.

Warning signs

• You are asked to pay a fee for a job, interview, visa, "processing", training or uniform before you start.
• The offer arrives without an interview, or the interview happens only over a messaging app.
• The salary or benefits look far better than the role normally pays.
• The recruiter uses a free personal email address, or the company has no verifiable website or presence.
• You are pressured to decide or pay quickly, or asked to send money to a personal account.
• You are asked for copies of your passport, bank details or card numbers at the application stage.

What you can do

• Search for the company independently and compare the contact details you were given.
• Be cautious about sharing identity documents. Share only what is needed, when it is needed, with a company you have verified.
• Check the rules for your destination country and your own country with the official government sources before accepting an overseas job offer or paying anyone.
• Keep copies of messages and offers.

Report a vacancy

If a vacancy on Expat Option looks suspicious, use the "Report this vacancy" option at the bottom of the vacancy page, or contact us. We review every report.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Expat Option reviews employers and vacancies but cannot guarantee that every vacancy is free of problems.