Gen Z adults targeted with job scams

Young adults looking for work have been urged to watch out for scammers.

New figures from Barclays show that almost half (48%) of Gen Z adults - people aged 18 to 24 - have been targeted by a job scam or know someone who has.

Fraudsters are luring in young people by promising high pay for little effort.

They’ll then ask them to pay upfront for training and equipment, steal their personal details or trick them into laundering money.

Job scammers directly messaging young people

One reason why young people are being so heavily targeted is that they often spend more time on screens than older generations.

Nearly three in five (59%) scams reported by Gen Z came from social media.

And three-fifths (60%) of victims said the scammer contacted them via text or messaging apps.

In fact, Gen Z reports of SMS scams have gone up by almost two-thirds in the last two years, and have accounted for 15% of claims so far this year.

Job scams have lasting impact on young adults

Unsurprisingly, the experience of being scammed has left many feeling wary.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of Gen Z adults who’d been personally targeted by a job scam said it had made them more cautious about finding work.

And almost half (48%) say they’ve been put off applying for remote jobs.

That, in turn, means some young people could be passing up or ignoring genuine job opportunities.

“Students are facing real financial pressure, and criminals exploit that anxiety with offers that look professional and promise quick cash,” said Kirsty Adams, fraud and scams expert at Barclays.

“If you’re asked to pay upfront, share personal details, or the job sounds too good to be true, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. 

“Always take time to check before you respond.”

Gen Z at risk of becoming money mules

Many fake job offers are actually “money mule” schemes, where criminals try to get young people to move money through their accounts.

More than a third (35%) of Gen Z said they would consider doing this if offered a fee.

But alarmingly, nearly three-quarters (71%) don’t know it could lead to a criminal record, and similar number (72%) don’t know it could lead to their bank account being closed. 

Barclays is now urging young people to be alert to red flags like:

• adverts for roles like “online reviewer”
• offers from “cool companies” that look too good to be true
• direct messages disguised as requests for help

“Acting as a money mule isn’t a harmless favour,” Ms Adams said.

“It’s a serious crime that can lead to a criminal record, frozen bank accounts and long-term financial damage.”

How can young jobseekers stay safe?

If you’re a young person looking for work:

Do your research

When you see a job ad, go online and find out everything you can about it before sharing any personal details.

Check the company’s official website, verify the recruiter’s email address, and see if there are any reviews or warnings.

Ask for a second opinion

If you’re not sure whether a job ad is legit, or you’re hesitating over paying any fees or sending documents, ask a trusted person to take a look.

A friend, relative or career adviser could spot something that you’ve missed.

Watch out for unrealistic offers

We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again - if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.

So if you see a job that offers lots of money either for little work or to people with little experience, it could be a scam.

Don’t pay to get a job 

Genuine employers won’t ask you to pay for training, equipment or background checks before you start a job. 

So if you’re asked to pay for anything or share your banking details, that should set alarm bells ringing.

For more tips and advice on staying safe, check out our handy guides on how to spot a scam and outsmarting online scammers.