Several websites have recently reported that fraudsters are now targeting the candidate market in their latest bid to obtain information and money via false pretences.
Taking advantage of the current market and the desperate behaviour of an increasing number of jobseekers, the fraudsters have adopted several techniques including creating false job advertisements, and email them directly to candidates or post them on recruitment websites for candidates to view.
Some of the adverts ask applicants to send personal documents or money to the potential employer (often overseas), whilst others will charge for documents to be converted into different formats. In both instances the vacancy does not exist.
As unemployment figures continue to rise and the level of competition for each role subsequently increases, the desperation of some jobseekers will also increase and it is this vulnerability that these fraudsters intend to take advantage of.
On some occasions it has also been reported that emails are manipulated in such a manner that they appear to have been sent directly by a recruiting company.
Generally using web based email accounts such as Gmail or hotmail and providing telephone numbers starting with 0702, 0703 and 0704 the activity of the fraudsters is currently relatively easy to identify. However candidates are advised to contact the advertisers (using the directory telephone number) should they question the validity of any advertisement.