Last week we touched on how job scamming is on the rise, so the next three articles on our blog will be focused on what to look out for and how to avoid becoming a victim. As criminals get smarter, how can you determine if a position is real or fake?

There are certain warning signs you can look out for when applying for a new job, and the first is looking carefully at the vacancy.

Vague details:

• Scammers try to make their ads sound believable by listing job requirements. Usually, these requirements are so simple that almost everyone qualifies – Must be 18 years and older; Very basic or no education and experience.

• Bad spelling and grammar, these are also a good indicator that something is amiss –

“at lonmin platinum mine we looking for qualified an experience candidates are followed driver code 10/14”

• They will also use a free email service provider, or a cellphone number for you to call or WhatsApp. Legitimate employment agencies or HR staff will very rarely give out their cellphone number. There are also no traceable links – no websites, no social media pages, no corporate email.

Examples could be transet@yahoo.com or apply.samcor@gmail.com, and definitely a scam –  “Coca-cola company driver’s Needed082 xxxx 401. CONTACT HR MANAGER BEFORE YOU APPLY ON 082 094 5401 Coca-Cola company looking for Workers Positions Available Administration clerk Receptionist Office admin General work Drive C1 Drive Ec Forklift Security guards Assistant drive Laundry Clean StockpackingFor more info call Mr sthole on 082 xxxx 401 Online applications are not allowed”

 At Just the Job we strive to ensure that only genuine adverts are posted on our page and we will continue to be watchful on your behalf.

Join us next week for the third article – Job Scams: Too Good to be True

Stay safe!

As South Africa’s unemployment rate rises, so does criminal activity.

Fake jobs and job scams are designed to lure vulnerable and desperate jobseekers into paying for interviews or paying for guaranteed job placement. Once the money is paid over to the ‘employer‘, you never hear from them again and are unable to contact them.

Criminals also place false job adverts with the intent of gathering personal information, which they use to invite you for fake interviews or to place in a database, which they sell. Scammers cleverly make use of recognisable company names to gain your attention and some even use the company logo in their adverts.

The current trend in SA is using company names such as Coca Cola, Lonmin Mines, Ashanti Gold, Clover, Royal Bafokeng, BMW Rosslyn Plant, Transnet, Albert Luthili Hospital, Samcor Ford, Zanokhuhle Private Hospital, Jubilee Hospital, Dischaba Platinum Mine, Ekurhuleni Municipality, Steve Academic Hospital, Sebokeng Regional Hospital, Impala Platinum Mine, Kusile Power Station, Kalafong Hospital and Tembisa Hospital to name a few.

Important tips to bear in mind:

• When applying for jobs abroad or on cruise liners, investigate the company first on the internet – people have been tricked into smuggling drugs and there is also the danger of human trafficking.
• Do not meet someone in a remote spot or after hours. If the interview is genuine, you should meet at a business address or if they are a small company, then perhaps meet in a public place, like a coffee shop.
• Be watchful of job adverts that advise you to arrive for interviews being held on a certain day, especially when based in a city centre.
• If you are unsure of the address, perhaps take a trip beforehand with a companion to get a better idea of where you are meeting.
• When you are contacted for an interview, try to gather as much information as you can about the company and the interviewer – a landline no, a physical address, a company website, the interviewer’s position in the company. This way you will be able to contact the company and verify the information.

Stay safe!

Join us next week for the second article – Job Scams: It’s in the Detail