My Blog

Tag: scam warning signs

  • How to Verify a Job Offer or Company: Don’t Get Played

    How to Verify a Job Offer or Company: Don’t Get Played

    You get an email. Subject: “Immediate Job Offer.” It’s from some company you don’t remember applying to. They say they loved your CV. Huh? You squint at the email. It looks fancy. Big words. Big promises. Big salary. But… something feels wrong.

    That’s the thing. Scams don’t always show up in dirty packages. Sometimes they wear a suit. They call you by name. They sound polite. Professional. Until they don’t.

    Let’s slow down and talk about it. Verifying a job offer? It’s not just a good idea it’s survival these days.

    Start With the Basics: Google the Company

    First thing, Google it. Yeah, really. Not joking.

    If a company’s real, it’ll leave footprints online. A website. Social media. A press article. A LinkedIn page. Something.

    You find nothing? Not even a Facebook post from 2009? Then stop. Pause. That’s weird. Even tiny spaza shops have online mentions these days. You should be able to find a trail.

    Also, look out for fake websites. Some are cloned to look just like the real ones. Like, scary accurate. Same logo. Same “About Us” section. But the domain is off. Maybe a weird dash, or “.xyz” instead of “.com.” It’s subtle. But it matters.

    Have you ever seen a website with typos on every page? Looks like it was built in five minutes? Be suspicious. Real businesses pay attention to their digital face.

    Double-Check the Email Domain

    Legit companies don’t use Gmail to hire. Period.

    If someone says they’re from “Unilever” but their email is unileverjobs2025@gmail.com run. That’s a no. Real HR emails look more like careers@unilever.com

    Scammers love using emails that look almost real. They add a word, a number or swap letters. Like admin@unilevers-career.com. Looks fancy. Feels fake.

    Always read the full email address. Not just the display name. Don’t get tricked by a logo and a nice signature.

    Look Them Up on LinkedIn

    This one’s easy. Type the company’s name in LinkedIn search. Do they have a company profile? Do they post stuff?

    Even more important do real people work there? Employees with real profiles. Not ghost profiles with no pic and one connection.

    Search the recruiter’s name too. If they just created the profile last week? And they have no connections? Hmm.

    Here’s a trick. Message another employee listed on their page. Just ask, “Hey, is this job real?” Most people will answer. They’ll even warn you if it’s fake. People help, you just have to ask.

    Use Business Registry Websites

    Every real company is registered. Somewhere. In South Africa, you can check CIPC. Other countries have their own sites.

    These databases are boring, yeah. But powerful.

    Look up the company name. What’s the status? Registered? Deregistered? Does the name match the recruiter’s message?

    No registration? Or different names? That’s a serious red flag. You might be dealing with a ghost.

    Some scammers even fake company numbers. Looks legit at first glance. But cross-check it. Real numbers show up in multiple places.

    Scan for Weird Grammar

    We’re not talking minor typos here. Everyone makes those.

    But if the entire email reads like Google Translate gone wild? Beware.

    Phrases like “We are very pleasure to you joining team soonest” are not normal. And neither is this: “Selected Candidate Must Obey Company Condition To Proceed Further.”

    Sounds robotic, right? That’s cause it probably is. Copied. Pasted. Mass-sent to 500 other hopefuls.

    You wouldn’t accept bad grammar from your boss in the real world. Don’t excuse it from a stranger promising you a dream job.

    Don’t Pay a Cent

    Listen closely no real company will ask you to pay them.

    Not for safety gear. Not for uniforms. Not for training. Not for medical tests. Not even for “admin fees.”

    They might tell you it’s refundable. Or urgent. Or standard practice. It’s not. It’s theft dressed as a job.

    They’ll even send professional-looking invoices. Signed letters. Bank account details. All fake.

    And the moment you pay? They vanish. No replies. No job. Just silence.

    Real companies pay you. Not the other way around.

    Ask for a video call.

    Here’s a bold move: ask for a video interview. Face-to-face, even if it’s on Zoom or Teams.

    Scammers usually say no. Excuses like “camera broken” or “bad Wi-Fi.” That’s code for :I’m hiding.

    If they agree to the call, pay attention.

    Do they seem unsure? Nervous? Reading off a script? Does the background look fake or like someone’s spare room?

    A legit employer won’t hesitate to meet properly. They want to know you’re real too.

    Cross-Check the Job Posting

    Got the offer from WhatsApp or Facebook DMs? That’s fishy.

    Now go check the company’s website. Is the job listed there?

    Or look on job platforms like LinkedIn, PNet, Careers24. See if it’s anywhere else. If not—ask them why. And watch their reaction.

    Fake recruiters hate questions. Real ones don’t.

    Also, real employers use proper channels. Not private DMs on Telegram at midnight.

    Too Fast? Too Easy

    They hired you within a day? No interview? No reference check?

    Nah. That’s not how it works.

    Most legit jobs take time. They go through HR, team leads, maybe a panel. It’s annoying, yeah. But necessary.

    If someone rushes the process claiming they need you to start today breathe. That pressure? It’s part of the scam.

    They want you excited, overwhelmed. Not thinking clearly. That’s their trick. Don’t fall for it.

    Your Gut Knows. Listen to it.

    Sometimes… you just know.

    Something’s off. The message feels forced. The logo looks stretched. The promise is too shiny.

    Don’t silence your instincts.

    Ask someone else. Post in a local Facebook group. DM someone on Twitter. Chances are, others have seen the same scam.

    Scammers recycle tactics. We just need to share and warn each other.

    True Story: Lebo’s Close Call

    Lebo, fresh out of varsity, got a message from “Standard Mining Solutions.” Never heard of it, but the job looked great. Admin work. R18,000 a month. No experience needed.

    She got excited. Who wouldn’t?

    Then they asked her to pay R3,000 for “safety gear.” Upfront. Before starting. Said it was urgent.

    She hesitated. Searched the company name. Nothing. Looked up the recruiter profile was brand new. Emailed the real Standard Bank they never heard of that company.

    She dodged a bullet. Barely.

    What To Do If It Feels Wrong

    Stop replying. Block the number. Save all the messages and emails.

    Report it. In South Africa, use the Department of Employment and Labour or SAFPS.

    Then warn others. Post it online. Drop a screenshot. Share your story. Someone else might need that heads-up.

    Keep your evidence too. Scammers hate being exposed.

    Final Thoughts: Slow Down, Stay Smart

    Look job hunting is hard. It messes with your head. You’re tired. You want to believe. We all do.

    But not every smiling email is your big break.

    Take a breath. Ask questions. Double-check everything. And never pay for a job. Ever.

    You deserve better. You deserve real.

    Share your experience in a comment section.

  • Don’t Pay for a Job Warning Signs You’re Being Scammed

    Don’t Pay for a Job Warning Signs You’re Being Scammed

    It starts with hope. A phone call. Maybe a message on WhatsApp. Or an email in your inbox: “Congratulations! You’ve been selected.”

    No long process. No interview stress. Just… a job. Waiting for you.

    But then they ask. Just a small thing. R250 for registration. R400 for a uniform. R800 for a training kit. They say it’s standard. Refundable. Nothing serious. “Just pay and start next week.”

    Wait stop right there. That’s how they get you.

    The Offer Looks Perfect. Too Perfect.

    The salary’s high. The position sounds easy. “No experience needed.” No CV requested. No proper interview. Just a promise of fast hiring.

    Sounds amazing. But you feel it that tiny voice in your gut whispering, “Why me? Why this easy?”

    Because it’s bait.

    Scammers want you excited. Rushing. Dreaming of your first paycheck. That’s when you’re most vulnerable.

    Real jobs ask for interviews, documents, sometimes references. They take time. So if the process feels rushed and perfect it’s probably fake.

    They Ask for “Small” Payments

    They don’t hit you with big numbers at first. Nope. They start low. R200 for admin. R300 for transport. “Just to confirm your spot.”

    You pay. They smile. Then another payment.

    R600 for medicals. R950 for background checks. R1,200 for safety shoes.

    You keep thinking “I’ve already paid. Just a little more and I’m in.”

    But that door? It never opens.

    It’s a loop. A trap. And you’re stuck chasing a job that doesn’t exist.

    Fake Contracts, Real Pressure

    Scammers love using documents. Contracts. Appointment letters. Job offers with official logos. They look real. Watermarks. Stamps. Even signatures.

    But read carefully. Things won’t feel right.

    Odd grammar. Strange phrases. Overuse of ALL CAPS. “You MUST Pay to Proceed.” That kind of thing.

    And the pressure? It’s constant.

    “Pay by 2PM today or lose your chance.”
    “This is urgent. HR is waiting.”
    “You’re lucky. We chose you specially.”

    Nah. That’s not how real HR works. That’s how scammers manipulate.

    Real Companies Pay You

    This one’s simple. Real employers pay you to work. You do not, under any circumstances, pay them first.

    Not for:

    • Uniforms
    • Training manuals
    • Background checks
    • Admin forms
    • ID cards
    • Safety kits

    They might say, “It’s company policy.” Or “You’ll be reimbursed later.” Lies. All of it.

    Legit businesses handle those costs themselves. Always.

    They Want You to Pay Fast, and Quietly

    Scammers move fast. They don’t want you thinking too hard. Or asking too many questions.

    So they use urgency.

    “Last slot left. Pay now.”
    “You’ll lose the job if you don’t send payment in the next hour.”
    “No time for delays. We have others waiting.”

    They push. You panic.

    And just like that your money’s gone.

    They’ll also tell you not to talk to anyone. “Don’t call the company directly. Everything goes through us.” That’s code for: Don’t get caught.

    They Avoid Interviews

    Try this. Say you want a Zoom or Teams call before making any decision.

    Watch their energy change.

    Scammers avoid live chats. They mumble, dodge, or come up with reasons like “camera not working” or “network issues.” They don’t want to show their faces.

    Because they’re not who they say they are.

    Real employers want to meet you even if it’s just for a quick intro chat.

    You Can’t Find Them Online

    You type the company name into Google. Nothing.

    No LinkedIn page. No proper website. No office address. No employee list.

    Maybe there’s a site, but it looks off. Grammar errors. Vague descriptions. “Global Leader in Service & Quality.” But no phone number. No HR email.

    A company that’s hiring should have a digital footprint. Even a small one.

    If it’s invisible online, it might not exist at all.

    Real Job? Ask Real Questions

    When you’re unsure, ask:

    • Can I visit your office?
    • Can I speak to another employee?
    • Can I check your company registration number?

    Scammers hate questions. Especially smart ones.

    They’ll dodge, get rude, or ghost you.

    Don’t be afraid to push. If they vanish when you ask the right thing, good. They were fake.

    A True Story: Sipho’s R1,500 Lesson

    Sipho got a call. “You’ve been hired as a warehouse clerk. Salary: R12,000.” He was shocked. He hadn’t applied, but maybe someone passed on his CV?

    The caller was confident. Sent him a contract. A full PDF. Even had a “director” sign it.

    Then came the request. R600 for PPE. R450 for training. And R450 more for transport.

    Sipho paid. R1,500 gone. Then silence. No job. No replies. He’d been scammed.

    He never got the money back. But he did get the lesson.

    What To Do If You’re Targeted

    If you’ve been contacted by a shady “employer,” here’s what to do:

    • Stop responding. Don’t engage more than needed.
    • Report it. In South Africa, use the Department of Employment and Labour, or the South African Police Service, or SAFPS.
    • Warn others. Post on social media. Drop a screenshot. Help someone else.
    • Keep evidence. Save every message, email, and voice note. It helps.

    And if you’ve already paid? Report it immediately. You might not get it back, but you can help shut them down.

    Final Words: Don’t Let Desperation Blind You

    We get it. Job hunting is hard. It messes with your emotions. You want that call. That offer. That win.

    But don’t let hunger for work make you ignore the signs.

    If a job needs money before you even show up it’s not a job. It’s a trap.

    You don’t need to pay to be employed. You just need to protect yourself. Be smart. Stay sharp. Ask questions. And walk away from anything that feels off.

    Because your dignity isn’t for sale.