03/09/2026
🚨 SCAM ALERT🚨 We're continuing to see scams using fake job ads on social media. Many of these scams target people looking for cleaning, administration, truck driving, customer service, or work-from-home roles.
After expressing interest in a job advertisement, victims are contacted by someone claiming to be a recruiter and are instructed to download an app or software as part of the hiring process. These applications may contain malware designed to compromise devices, steal passwords, harvest personal information, or allow scammers to access your online accounts.
Look out for:
🚩 Requests to download an app as part of the hiring process: Be very cautious if a ‘recruiter’ asks you to install software before providing information about the role or conducting an interview. Exercise particular caution if:
🚩The app is provided through a social media message, text message, email, or website link rather than an official app store
The app has very few reviews or downloads
You are told the app is required for registration, onboarding, verification, or accessing available jobs.
🚩Hiring processes that move quickly: Be suspicious if you receive a job offer with little or no interview process, limited background checks, or minimal discussion about your experience and qualifications. A genuine employer will usually want to discuss your background and suitability for the role before offering you a position.
🚩Communication through social media or messaging apps: Exercise caution if recruiters insist on communicating only through Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, or similar messaging platforms rather than using official company channels.
🚩Unrealistic pay or conditions: Be wary of opportunities promising high wages, flexible hours, work-from-home arrangements, or easy money for minimal effort. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
🚩Requests for personal information: Be cautious if you're asked to provide copies of identification documents, banking details, passports, or driver licences before you have independently verified the employer and the role.
Be cautious of recruitment pages on social media that:
Were recently created
Contain largely AI-generated images
Provide very little information about the employer, job location, or recruitment process
Advertise multiple different roles with vague descriptions.
Pressure to act immediately: Scammers often create urgency by claiming positions are filling quickly or that immediate action is required to secure the role. Take your time and independently verify the opportunity before proceeding.
Before applying for a job:
Research the employer independently
Do not download applications or software simply because a recruiter requests it
Never pay recruitment fees, purchase training materials, or transfer money as part of a job application process
Be very cautious about sharing identity documents, banking information, or other personal details until you have confirmed the opportunity is genuine.
If you believe you may have been affected:
Stop all contact with the ‘recruiter’ immediately
Have your device checked and cleaned by an IT professional
Change passwords for important accounts, particularly banking and email accounts
Contact your bank immediately if you believe your financial information may have been compromised
Report the content to the social media platform and block the scammers across all devices
You can also contact IDCARE for specialist aftercare support.
