Discover the five most common warning signs of fraudulent job ads and how platforms can block them automatically.
Searching for a new job should be an exciting step forward in your career. Unfortunately, the rise of online job boards, social media listings, and digital recruitment platforms has also created a surge in fraudulent job postings. These scams waste time, exploit hopeful candidates, and in many cases, cost people money or personal data. Being able to spot the warning signs of a fake job ad is now a critical skill for jobseekers and hiring platforms alike. In this guide, we’ll break down the five most common signs of fraudulent job postings — and what you can do to protect yourself.
One of the clearest red flags is a lack of verifiable employer information. Genuine employers want candidates to know who they are, what they do, and where they’re based. Fraudulent job postings, on the other hand, often hide behind vague descriptions or misleading details.
Warning signs include:
Before applying, take a few minutes to research the employer. A quick search on Companies House (in the UK) or LinkedIn can help confirm whether the organisation exists. If you can’t find evidence of their existence, steer clear.
Fraudulent job postings often lure candidates with inflated salaries, unrealistic benefits, or “guaranteed” income. Genuine employers offer competitive compensation, but rarely do they promise instant riches for minimal effort.
Examples of this tactic include:
While competitive pay is important, always compare the listed salary with industry averages. If it seems disproportionately high for the role, chances are it’s a scam designed to catch your attention.
No legitimate employer will ever ask you to pay money before starting work. Fraudulent job postings often demand payment for “training materials”, “background checks”, or “equipment deposits”. Others may ask for sensitive personal information such as national insurance numbers, bank details, or passport scans before a contract is signed.
This is a major red flag. A genuine recruitment process may include background checks or equipment provision, but the employer covers those costs — not the candidate.
If a posting asks for money or sensitive data before you’ve had an interview or received an official offer, avoid it immediately.
Another tell-tale sign of fraudulent job postings is the quality of the listing itself. Scammers often use generic templates or poorly translated text to push out large numbers of fake ads quickly. Common giveaways include:
By contrast, genuine job postings usually include detailed role expectations, company culture insights, and transparent requirements.
Finally, fraudulent job postings often have suspicious application processes. Some may direct you away from the job board or platform to apply via unsecured third-party links. Others might pressure you into sending personal details by email rather than through professional systems.
Another common sign is a sense of urgency: scammers might claim the job will be lost if you don’t apply immediately, or they may offer you the role without a proper interview. Real employers follow structured recruitment processes, including interviews, reference checks, and formal contracts.
Fraudulent job postings are not just an inconvenience — they carry real risks. Victims may lose money, have their identities stolen, or waste weeks chasing jobs that never existed. On a larger scale, they also undermine trust in online recruitment platforms and hurt legitimate businesses trying to hire.
According to industry data, employment scams cost victims millions every year in the UK alone. With the rise of AI-generated text and automated scam networks, fake postings are becoming harder to spot, making awareness and prevention even more important.
If you’re applying for jobs online, here are key steps to stay safe:
Trust your instincts: if something feels off, it probably is.
Recruitment platforms and job boards have a responsibility to protect candidates. They can do this by implementing fraud detection systems that scan for suspicious postings, including inflated salaries, vague company details, and suspicious domains. APIs like Ruvia’s Trust API provide automated checks for fraudulent job ads, helping platforms flag risks before candidates are exposed.
Features like proof-of-personhood, domain verification, and fraud scoring can dramatically reduce scam listings, restoring trust for users.
Fraudulent job postings are on the rise, but they don’t have to be inevitable. By learning the five common signs — unclear employer details, unrealistic pay, upfront payment requests, vague descriptions, and rushed processes — you can protect yourself as a candidate. For platforms, investing in trust infrastructure and fraud detection is key to safeguarding both users and reputation. With vigilance and the right tools, we can make online job hunting safer for everyone.
A fraudulent job posting is a fake job advert created to deceive candidates, often to steal money, personal data, or both.
They often use inflated salaries, vague company details, or urgency tactics to lure candidates into sharing sensitive information or making upfront payments.
Stop communication immediately, report the posting to the platform, and if you shared financial information, contact your bank or credit card provider right away.
The ease of posting online and the rise of AI tools have made it simple for scammers to generate convincing fake ads at scale.
By integrating fraud detection systems like Ruvia’s Trust API, verifying employer domains, and monitoring suspicious posting behaviours before ads go live.
No. Fraudulent job postings can appear on both free and paid platforms, as scammers exploit wherever jobseekers are active.
Not always. Some companies simply write poor descriptions. But when combined with other red flags — like payment requests or inflated salaries — vagueness should raise suspicion.