7 signs of a hiring scam — and how to protect yourself

Recruitment fraud capitalizes on the eagerness of job seekers by fabricating job opportunities, leading applicants to divulge personal information and send money while falsely believing they’ve secured a job.

Unfortunately, hiring scams have become increasingly sophisticated, posing a threat to job hunters. Here are some things scammers can do to trick you and a few tips to protect yourself during your job search.

Indicators of a hiring scam

There are several ways scammers will try to make you believe they have a genuine job opportunity for you. Learning to recognize these signs of fraud will help you from becoming a victim. Here are some of the most common indicators of a hiring scam.

1. An odd job offer message

A typical recruitment scam message often includes some of the following attributes:

1. A job offer that seems too good to be true
2. Grammar and spelling mistakes
3. Asking for personal or financial information
4. Messages that aren’t personally addressed to you

2. Requesting money

Legitimate employers and hiring managers don’t ask for application fees or payment for training. To avoid falling into that trap, familiarize yourself with common job search scams through resources like the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker for insights and reports.

3. Asking for sensitive information before your start date

Be wary of early requests for personal or sensitive information such as your social security number, birth date, or bank details. Genuine employers usually request such information only after extending a written job offer or on your start date.

4. Misuse of corporate identity

Be vigilant against fraudulent use of reputable company names and logos, as scammers can craft communications that look legitimate initially. However, on closer examination, often these emails are full of grammatical errors. Scrutinize communications carefully, verify sender email addresses, and cross-reference with official company channels to confirm legitimacy.

5. Use of generic email addresses

Exercise caution when receiving recruitment emails from generic or non-corporate email addresses. Legitimate recruiters typically communicate through official channels provided by job boards, social media platforms, or their personal work email addresses. Verify sender addresses, and remember that authentic representatives typically use the company’s web domain in their email addresses.

6. Communicating solely through texts and online chats

As scams adapt to technological advancements, some fraudulent recruitment activities have moved to text messages or online chat platforms. Conduct thorough research before engaging with such communications, as legitimate companies usually refrain from recruiting via text unless you’ve already initiated contact through their official website.

7. Unrealistic promises

Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, such as expedited hiring processes without interviews or reference checks. Legitimate recruiters prioritize evaluating candidates thoroughly before extending an offer to prospective employees. Do independent research on the company, scrutinize its website, and explore company reviews to verify you’re communicating with a legitimate company.

Trust your intuition

Ultimately, trust your instincts. If something feels off about a job opportunity, investigate further to avoid falling victim to scams. If you’re unsure, contact the company directly using a phone number you know to be legitimate — not one you got from the “recruiter.” Or go to the company’s website. If you can’t confirm the job is real, it could be a scam.

CHG is committed to protecting you

Here at CHG Healthcare, we do everything possible to protect you and your personal information. CHG only accepts employee applications through our official external career site. If you think you’ve been targeted by someone who appears to be a fake CHG recruiter, please email us at jobscams@chghealthcare.com.