How to check whether a job advert is genuine

Fraudulent job adverts often borrow the name and design of a real employer. A quick check before applying can protect your time and personal information. The goal is not to distrust every opportunity; it is to confirm who is asking for your details and why.

Find the original source

Search the employer’s own careers page for the title, location and reference number. If the role appears only on a third-party board, contact the company through a phone number or email address published on its official website. Do not use contact details from the suspicious advert as your only verification route. Compare the deadline and application method with the official notice.

Examine the contact and the request

A recruiter may use an agency address, but they should be able to explain the agency’s relationship with the employer. Check the sender’s complete email domain, not just the display name. Be cautious if all contact moves to a personal messaging account, the recruiter refuses basic questions, or the offer arrives before an interview or assessment appropriate to the role.

• Do not pay to secure an interview, training slot or employment offer through an unverified contact.
• Do not share passwords, one-time codes or banking login details.
• Share identity documents only when the stage and recipient are clear and legitimate.
• Be wary of requests to receive or transfer money on another person’s behalf.

Check the job itself

A credible vacancy should explain the work, location or remote eligibility, employer and application process. Very high pay for vague work, a rushed deadline, or contradictory locations deserve a closer look. An imperfectly written advert is not automatically fraudulent, and a polished one is not automatically safe: verify the underlying facts.

If something feels wrong

Pause before clicking more links or sending more documents. Save the advert and messages, report the listing to the platform where you found it, and contact the named employer through an independent channel. If you have already shared financial credentials, contact your bank or account provider promptly. You can still browse current job listings, but make the final application decision from the employer’s confirmed information.