Protect yourself from scammers
Charging job applicants recruitment fees is illegal in the UK, but this doesn’t prevent unscrupulous recruiters from doing it - in the UK, or abroad. Migrant workers are particularly at risk, as rogue agents take advantage of people’s aspirations for a better life to charge thousands of pounds.
Scammers are a global problem and operate in every country. Wherever you are from, you should never have to pay to get a job. Be wary of scammers trying to persuade you to part with your money with the promise of a dream job.
How to spot a recruitment scam
You can spot a recruitment scam by asking yourself some simple questions:
- Is there a fee involved? Aside from the visa fee if you are a migrant, there should be no other costs in securing a job. The immigration skills charge should be paid by the employer, not the employee. Any recruiter asking you to pay this fee, or any other fee, is not to be trusted.
- Does the recruiter job place emphasis on certain jobs? The consultant should offer information and help you find a job that suits your aspirations and circumstances. If they pressure you to take a certain role, they may have ulterior motives.
- Is the consultant professional? If your consultant demands cash, asks too many personal questions, seems to lack knowledge of the industry, or is overconfident, these are all warning signs that suggest they are untrustworthy.
Important
Recruitment fees are illegal in the UK. You should never have to pay to get a job.
How to spot a fake job post
Scammers may post fake job adverts, or job adverts impersonating those from genuine recruitment agencies, to steal personal information from job-seekers. This personal information can then be used for identity theft. Fake jobs can even be posted on reputable job websites, or be sent from people posing as friends on social media.
If a job advert contains any of the following factors, it is likely to be a scam:
- It asks for financial or personal information
- It asks for money transfers
- It asks for a service or application fee
- It states that no experience or expertise is required for the position
- It comes unsolicited from agencies you do not remember applying to
- It provides few or no details of the job responsibilities or duties
- It claims to guarantee you a job
- It posts exaggerated testimonials or money-back guarantees
To protect yourself from job scams, search online for the details of the job and take advantage of online community forums and social media to find reviews. If the company or recruiter is fake, you may find warnings from others who have already been scammed. Make sure you check the trustworthiness of the employer before sending them your application including personal details.
Important
If your contract includes a repayment clause, ask for an itemised list of what the payment is for.
How to spot a rogue repayment clause
A repayment or clawback clause is a clause in your employment contract which specifies that, if you leave within a certain period of time, you will have to pay the employer a fee.
It is not illegal for employers in the UK to include a repayment clause. There may be a legitimate reason for them to include it if, for instance, they made a significant investment into your professional training. However, repayment clauses have to be proportionate.