My Blog

Tag: JobScams

  • How to Spot a Fake Job Ad Before It’s Too Late

    How to Spot a Fake Job Ad Before It’s Too Late

    So there I was. Sitting in my room. Phone in hand. I just found this job ad that screamed “easy money.”
    No experience. R9,000 per week. Work from home. Just a WhatsApp away.

    It felt like gold. But guess what? It was trash. A scam. A total lie. And I almost fell for it.

    That’s when I knew. People have to know how to spot this stuff. So this right here? This is your survival guide.

    Why Are There So Many Fake Job Ads

    Well. Because they work. Simple.
    Scammers know people are desperate. Looking for something. Anything.

    Here’s what they want from you.

    Your identity. Like your ID, CV, address, and banking info. That’s gold to scammers.
    They use it to steal. Open accounts. Commit fraud. In your name.

    Your money. “Pay a training fee.” “Deposit R150 for uniform.” Lies. Once you pay, they vanish. Like smoke.

    Access to your devices. They’ll send you files. Or weird links. Click those, and boom your device is compromised. Malware. Keyloggers. Not good.

    Your trust. Some go deeper. They recruit people into illegal stuff. Drug transport. Laundering money. You won’t even know. Till it’s too late.

    So yeah. It’s not just “fake.” It’s dangerous.

    The Red Flags: How Fake Ads Try to Trick You

    Let’s break it down. If a job ad has one or more of these? Pause. Breathe. Walk away.

    Job Descriptions That Say Nothing

    If it says “easy money” or “no skills needed,” and that’s it? Be careful.
    A real job tells you what you’ll do. Like, actual tasks. This one? It’s all glitter. No meat.

    Fake-sounding example:

    “R10,000 weekly. From your phone. 2 hours a day. Apply now. Limited spaces.”

    Sounds cool. But weird, right? Too vague. That’s on purpose.

    Bad Grammar or Typos

    “Work with uss. No skillz needed. You earn money fastly.”

    Nope. Not legit.
    Real companies proofread. Scammers? They rush. They don’t care.

    Weird Email Addresses

    You get an offer from “jobsATWoolies@gmail.com”?
    Run.
    Real companies don’t use free emails like Gmail or Yahoo for hiring. They use proper domains. Like  recruitmentupn@woolworths.co.za

    They Ask for Money Upfront

    Any ad that says:

    “R200 for admin fee”
    “Pay R300 for training kit”

    Is a scam.
    You never, ever pay to get a job. Never.

    They Hire You Too Fast

    You send a CV. Ten minutes later, they say, “Congrats, you got the job.”
    Wait, what?

    Where was the interview? Or reference check?
    Fake jobs don’t need proof. They just need victims.

    Too-Good-To-Be-True Pay

    Typing part-time, R20,000 a month? With no experience?

    That’s not a job offer. That’s bait. And you’re the fish.

    They Rush You

    They’ll say:

    “We only have 3 spots. Apply now or lose it.”
    Classic trick. Pressure you so you don’t think clearly. Don’t fall for it.

    No Online Presence

    Can’t find their website? No reviews?
    LinkedIn profile looks shady or doesn’t exist?
    That’s a big red flag.

    What to Do If You’re Not Sure

    Sometimes it’s not black and white. You’re just… unsure. That’s okay. Here’s what to do.

    Google the Company

    Search the name + “scam.”
    See what comes up.
    Legit companies will have reviews. Websites. News. Fake ones? Nothing. Or bad stuff.

    Check the Email Domain

    Emails like jobs@picknpay.co.za = fine.
    Emails like picknpayjobs2024@yahoo.com = nope.

    Search the Recruiter on LinkedIn

    They said their name is “Thabo M”? Cool. Look him up.
    No profile? Or a brand-new one with 0 connections? Be cautious.

    Ask Questions

    Ask where the office is. Ask for a job spec. Ask who you’ll report to.

    If they dodge or get irritated? That’s your answer.

    Real-Life Scams in SA: Watch Out

    Let’s keep it real. These are happening. Right here. Right now.

    Call Centre Scam

    They offer a call centre job. But ask for R250 to “secure your spot.”
    You pay. They ghost. Every. Time.

    Retail Jobs via WhatsApp

    You see a Pick n Pay job ad on Facebook. You message. They want airtime to “process” your application.
    Scam. Always.

    Government Jobs (like EPWP or Learnerships)

    Some ads say you’ve been shortlisted for an EPWP position. But they ask for “medical checkup fee.”
    Don’t send money. Government jobs don’t work like that.

    Typing Jobs from Home

    You get offered R15k/month for retyping PDFs. But you need to buy a “starter pack.”
    Spoiler: There’s no job. Just a “pack” that leads nowhere.

    How to Stay Safe While Job Hunting

    You don’t need to live in fear. Just be smart.

    No paying to apply. Ever.
    Don’t give ID numbers, bank info or selfies to strangers.
    Use trusted websites like LinkedIn, Careers24, or official company portals.
    Check company registration on CIPC.
    Keep your guard up. Even if it sounds nice. Especially if it sounds nice.

    What If You Already Got Scammed?

    First off, breathe. You’re not dumb. These people are pros. And you’re not alone.

    Now act fast.

    Cut contact. Don’t reply. Block them.
    Report it. Go to SAPS. Use cybercrime reporting sites. Tell your bank.
    Warn others. Post about it. Spread the word. You might save someone else.
    Protect your identity. Sign up with SAFPS (South African Fraud Prevention Service). Get alerts if someone uses your ID.

    Conclusion: You Deserve Better

    Looking for work is hard enough. You shouldn’t also be dodging scams.
    But here we are. So let’s stay smart.

    If a job feels wrong, don’t ignore that feeling.
    If they want money, say no.
    If they rush you, walk away.
    If it sounds too easy, it probably ain’t real.

    You’re not just a jobseeker. You’re a human. With dreams. Skills. A future.

    Don’t let anyone play with that.

  • Fake Recruitment Agencies: What to Look Out For

    Fake Recruitment Agencies: What to Look Out For

    You’re job hunting. Been scrolling. Sending CVs. Applying like crazy. Then one day boom. “Congratulations! You’ve been shortlisted.” That message hits your inbox like a small miracle.

    Feels good, right? But wait. Something’s… off. The email address looks weird. No company logo. Website feels cheap. Gut says, “Careful.” You try to ignore it.

    What if it’s a scam?

    Yeah. These days, fake recruitment agencies are out there. All over the place. They don’t just waste your time—they rob you. Money, identity, even hope.

    Let’s break it down. Here’s how to tell if the agency knocking at your inbox is fake. We’re not preaching. Just talking real.

    Too Good to Be True? Yeah… Watch Out

    So they offer you R30,000 a month. For a data capturing job. No experience needed. No interview. “You’re hired!”

    Sounds dreamy. But it ain’t real. That’s bait. Scammers are clever like that. They say exactly what you wanna hear. Sweet talk with salary tags.

    But come on. Real jobs? They don’t just hand out cash like that. Companies check. They verify. They need proof you’re legit.

    If it’s looking too smooth? Too quick? Slow down. Something’s fishy.

    They Want Money First. Huh?

    “Just R150 for admin.”
    “R300 for training materials.”
    “Once-off payment, then we place you.”

    Wait a sec. Why are you paying them?

    That’s the scam. Real agencies get paid by companies, not you. That’s how it works. You’re the product, not the customer.

    Sure, some might charge for extras. Like help with your CV or courses. But they’re clear about it. You get invoices. You sign papers. You don’t feel rushed.

    Scammers though? They just want your cash. No receipts. No calls after payment. Just vanishing acts.

    Contact Info Is… Sketchy

    Let’s say the email comes from hrteam564@gmail.com. No name. No title. The website? One page. No landline. Just a WhatsApp number.

    Feels dodgy, right?

    Real recruitment firms? They’re loud. You can find them online, proper profiles, full address, landlines, even who their consultants are.

    Can’t find anything about the agency? No reviews. No LinkedIn. No trace?

    Big red flag. Real ones don’t hide.

    No Calls, No Interviews, Just WhatsApp

    Some agencies say, “No interview needed.”
    Others avoid video calls.
    Just chatting on WhatsApp or emails. Quick. Cold.

    You ask to talk. They stall. Or send you shady Zoom links that don’t work.

    Why? ‘Cause they’re not real. They don’t want their face seen. They want to keep it surface-level, quick, faceless.

    Real recruiters? They talk. They interview. They ask questions. Want to know your background. It’s a process.

    No process? Walk away.

    Hurry Up! Pay Now!

    “You’re lucky. Only 3 slots left!”
    “If you delay, it’s gone.”
    “Pay before 3PM today.”

    Yeah… no.

    That’s pressure. They want you panicking. Want your wallet open before your brain catches up.

    Real recruiters? They don’t hustle you like that. They give space. They know a legit job isn’t a flash sale.

    If you feel rushed? If you feel cornered? Something’s wrong.

    Where’s the Job Description

    Seen those posts?

    “We’re hiring urgently. Apply now.”

    And that’s it. No job title. No qualifications. No duties.

    Nothing but a vague promise.

    That’s bait. Real job ads explain the role. They say what you’ll be doing. What you need. Where it’s based.

    Fake ones? They’re fishing. Once you bite, they send forms. Then ask for payment. That’s their move.

    If the ad feels empty? It probably is.

    Fake Logos. Fake Reviews. Fake Everything

    Some websites slap on logos of Coca-Cola. MTN. Big names.

    Others write fake reviews: “I got the job in 2 days!” James M. (with a stock photo smile).

    Don’t trust that.

    Check the real company websites. Look for actual openings. If you’re unsure, call their HR. Ask, “Do you use this agency?”

    Chances are they’ll say no.

    No Digital Footprint

    It’s 2025. Everyone has something online. Even side hustles. So a recruitment agency with nothing online?

    Not right.

    Some might make a fake Facebook page. But it’s weak. No likes. No comments. No updates in months.

    Check deeper. See if they registered with CIPC or listed under the Department of Labour.

    If their digital trail is dry? Don’t risk it.

    You Paid. Now They’re Gone

    So maybe you trusted them. Paid the R250. Sent your details. Even planned for “training day.”

    Then… silence.

    No reply. No refund. WhatsApp blue ticks. But no message back.

    You’ve been ghosted.

    It hurts. Not just your wallet but your pride. Don’t blame yourself. Scammers are slick. They play with hope. It happens to good people.

    What matters now? Learning. Talking. Warning others.

    Real Stories Hit Hare

    Lerato. Age 26. Polokwane.

    “I was jobless for a year. Desperate. Found a post online. Warehouse job. R300 for transport booking. I paid. They sent an address in Pretoria. When I got there? Nothing. Just dust.”

    Yeah. That story? Too common.

    Fake recruitment scams don’t just steal cash they crush spirits. But when we share these stories, we spread power. We protect each other.

    How to Protect Yourself

    Keep your guard up. Always. Here’s how:

    • Never pay to apply for a job. Ever.
    • Google the agency. Add “scam” after the name.
    • Check registration with CIPC or the Department of Labour.
    • Ask for a video call. Test if they’re real.
    • Don’t send ID, payslip, or banking info unless verified.
    • Talk to others. Ask on forums. Ask your friends.
    • Report them. Even if it feels small, report it anyway.

    Already Scammed? Don’t Stay Silent

    First breathe. You’re not alone.

    Then act:

    • Report it to SAPS. Even if they can’t recover funds, they log it.
    • Tell your bank, especially if you gave info.
    • Post online. Warn others. Share your story.
    • Contact SAFPS to block your info from being used again.

    The more noise we make, the harder it gets for scammers to hide.

    Final Thought

    Job hunting is already tough. Emotionally draining. Then these fake agencies come in, pretending to help only to hurt.

    But you’re not powerless. You’ve got your instincts. Your smarts. And now? You’ve got the signs to look for.

    Next time an offer comes too fast, too good, too easy?

    Pause. Check. Ask questions.

    You deserve better than a scam.