Here’s how these scams operate and strategies to safeguard yourself against them.

What is a job scam?

“This is a carefully planned scheme designed to prompt individuals to make small payments initially, followed by larger payments to access supposedly earned funds from completing tasks.”

There are also two other types of job scams to watch for:

• Bank mule scams: Where victims are unknowingly used to move money through their bank accounts. 
• Fake qualifications: Where victims are encouraged to make payments to receive certifications for jobs that don’t exist.

“There’s no job, there’s no checks being done. It’s just another way, unfortunately, of obtaining money from scam victims,” Lowe said.

Why experts are concerned

“Additionally, the aspect of employment scams that underscores their urgency for intervention is that job seekers, particularly in tough economic times, are already in a vulnerable position,” explained Lowe.

“It might be international students, people on low incomes, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, and people that might otherwise find it difficult to secure employment.”

How to protect yourself

“That could be a text message. It could be a WhatsApp message or someone reaching out unexpectedly,” Lowe said. “That’s a sign to be on your guard about the message that you’ve received.”

Other red flags include:

• Offers that promise “substantial returns for relatively simple work”.
• Messages claiming to be from “high-profile, well-known recruitment businesses”.