Scammers targeting young jobseekers

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

According to Monzo, more than 10,000 of its customers reported being victims of a job scam last year.

And worryingly, 25 to 34-year-olds were the most affected group.

What are job scams?

Fraudsters are luring in young people by pretending to be businesses, hiring managers or recruiters.

They’ll often promise high pay for little effort, as well as flexible, remote jobs that don’t need any prior experience.

The criminal will then ask the target to pay upfront for training and equipment, steal their personal details.

And although they may promise refunds later on, they’ll disappear and become impossible to contact.

So the victim is left out of pocket and no further on with their job search.

Fraudsters exploit people’s desperation

It’s no coincidence that scammers are increasingly targeting younger adults.

The unemployment rate in the UK rose to 5.2% in the three months to December - up from 5.1% in November.

That’s the highest rate in nearly five years.

But young people are being particularly hard hit, so scammers are hoping to exploit their desperation for a role.

“Job scams don’t discriminate and can affect anyone, especially during the pressures of a job search,” said Rich Bromley, Monzo’s director of fraud.

“We urge everyone to remember that a real job pays you – you don’t pay them.”

How can young jobseekers stay safe?

If you’re a young adult looking for a job: 

Do your research

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

Check the employer’s official website, verify the recruiter’s email address, and look for any reviews or warnings.

Ask for a second opinion

If you don’t know if a job ad is real or not, or you’re unsure about sending documents or paying any fees, ask someone you trust what they think.

A family member, a friend or a career adviser could spot a red flag you may have missed.

Watch out for unrealistic offers

It’s a cliché for a reason - but if something 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 no experience, alarm bells should start ringing.

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 be wary if you’re asked to pay for anything or share your banking details.

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