The desire and goal of every graduate in South Africa is to get a good job or employment. However, there is still a wide gap between the demand for jobs and its supply making it a frustrating cycle for job seekers.
As the rate of unemployment continues to rise, so is the surge in fake jobs. A fake or scam job is a job that is not legitimate and cannot be verified.
Before you go ahead with that “once-in-a-lifetime” job application, take a look at the list of job scams that have caught many people off-guard.
1. The false job application scam
This email is sent, asking you to complete an online form. The website link then redirects you to a page that requires all your personal information. There will also be text saying something like: If you do not submit your details we cannot consider you for the job.
2. You have to pay for items scam
After going to what seems like a valid interview, the company says it will set you up with software to allow you to work from home. The employer will then send you a cashier’s check and ask that you deposit the check into your bank account and withdraw funds. You’re then asked to send those funds to Western Union for materials that you’ll need in order to perform your job properly.
3. Pay before an interview scam
You’re offered a job via email and you get told that employees’ salaries are paid via Direct Deposit with the organisation’s bank. After registering your Direct Deposit confirmation, you’re then told to choose a date and time for your interview and reminded that without your Direct Deposit account details, your salary won’t be paid on time.
4. You sign up for a trial period job scam
You’re told that you are one of two or three candidates who will go through a trial period that consists of two or three weeks. This scam can be quite deceiving as the company’s details and information all seem fine. The only thing that should set off warning bells is the form that you have to complete – your ID number, personal details and bank account information is required.
5. The fax job scam
This is one of the most popular scams in South Africa. With this job scam a fake recruiter will advertise a fake job. You’re asked to fax your CV to a fax number that’s strategically set up to charge higher than standard rates. After you send your CV the charges will be sent to your phone bill at ridiculously high rates.
Things to watch out for for fax scams:
- The fax number will start with 086.
- There won’t be any other contact details other than a fax number on the job ad.
- You’ll be asked to send a lot of documents that are either unrelated or completely unnecessary.
- The email address that the fake recruiter has used will usually start with include “noreply” before the “@
