Fake online job adverts on the rise in 2021

As part of its latest job scams campaign, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has been working with JobsAware and Cifas, to understand the impact of such scams.

JobsAware is a not-for-profit organisation that informs people of how to avoid and report job scams and other unfair working practices. Cifas is a not-for-profit fraud prevention membership organisation that manages a database of fraudulent conduct.

According to the DBS, job scams are on the rise, and in 2020, seasonal job scams increased by 88 per cent compared to 2019.

The first two phases of this campaign focused on the signs of a potential scam, and as detailed below, included illegitimate contact details, poorly-written job adverts, and being asked for money.

85 per cent of identity fraud is committed via online channels, and Cifas members recorded almost 158,000 cases of identity fraud in the first nine months of 2021. This is an increase of 17 per cent compared to 2020, equivalent to one person every two and a half minutes.

Mike Haley, Cifas CEO, said: “The pandemic created numerous opportunities for criminals to steal victims’ personal and financial details, including through fake online job adverts.

“Personal information is extremely valuable to criminals as they can use a victim’s details to impersonate them and apply for products and services such as bank accounts, loans, and credit cards.

“Always take a moment to stop and think before handing over your personal or financial information, or when sharing documents such as a passport, driving licence, or bank statement.”