Recruitment fraud protection: how to identify job scams

How to spot recruitment scams

Master these warning signs and verification steps to protect yourself from the most common recruitment fraud tactics targeting job seekers today.

Suspicious communications

Watch for these warning signs in messages claiming to be from employers:

• Generic messages that don't use your name
• Gmail, Yahoo, or personal email addresses
• Misspelled domains (ex: kellyservice.com or kelllyservices.com)
• Urgent language creating false panic or excitement

Money-related red flags

Legitimate employers never ask for money upfront or handle payments this way:

• Requests for upfront payment (training, materials, phone calls)
• Overpayment via check, then asking you to wire money back
• Requests for banking or credit card information
• Payment before you've completed any work

Interview warning signs

Real recruiters use professional communication methods. They will never:

• Communicate ONLY via text or chat
• Using Google Hangouts or instant messaging exclusively
• Avoiding phone calls or video meetings
• No official company contact information provided

Personal information requests

Protect your sensitive data from these common scammer tactics:

• Asking for SSN, bank details, or login credentials upfront
• Requesting passwords or access to your accounts
• Wanting sensitive information before job verification
• No legitimate business reason for the information request

Before taking any action:

Follow these steps to verify any job opportunity:

1. Verify the sender: Check email addresses carefully and hover over links before clicking
2. Contact Kelly directly: Call 866.KELLY4U (866.535.5948) using a trusted number
3. Never reply directly to suspicious communications
4. Research separately: Do an independent search for the position or company
5. Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it probably is