Protect yourself from recruitment scams
Instances of reported job scams and fraud have been increasing in the recruitment sector.
Scammers are impersonating recruiters, including RecruitNZ, and offering fake job opportunities to unsuspecting individuals and jobseekers.
To help keep you safe, we’ve outlined key information about how we operate and how you can verify whether a contact claiming to represent us is genuine.
How recruitment scams work
Scammers typically begin by sending out unsolicited job offers or posting fake job advertisements on popular platforms, enticing jobseekers to engage. Once you respond, the scammers will often try to shift the conversation to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
In other cases, like many of those reported to RecruitNZ in recent weeks, they simply send an unsolicited message on a messaging platform.
Their aim is to gain your trust quickly and request sensitive personal information, such as your identification documents or bank details, far earlier than would be expected in a legitimate hiring process. Once this information is shared, scammers can use it to commit identity theft or online fraud, which can result in financial losses or harm your credit rating.
In some cases, scammers may ask for upfront payments. For example, they might request money for flights or accommodation for an interview, falsely claiming you’ll be reimbursed later. In other scams, they may deposit a small amount into your account to gain your trust before asking you to transfer larger sums back to them.
Once you have shared sensitive information or made a payment, the scammers typically sever contact, leaving you without recourse and at risk of further financial or identity-related harm.
How to tell if it’s RecruitNZ or a scammer
To avoid falling victim to scams, here’s what you need to know about our processes:
- We will never contact you first via messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal.
- All official emails from RecruitNZ come from either @recruit-nz.co.nz or @peopleinc.nz email addresses.
- Our genuine job listings are only posted on:
- Our official vacancies page: recruit-nz.co.nz/job-vacancies
- Seek and Trade Me, under People Inc branding.
- We never charge job seekers for any of our services or request money from you.
RecruitNZ also requires job seekers to go through a formal application process via our website before engaging with them.
How to stay safe
Know what to look out for
To protect yourself from recruitment scams, watch for these warning signs:
- A recruiter contacts you unexpectedly through text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or similar messaging platforms.
- You’re offered a high-paying job that requires little to no effort, often with promises of working from home.
- The hiring process feels rushed or informal, with no proper interviews or discussions about your qualifications, experience, or references.
- You are asked to pay a “recruitment fee” or purchase training materials before starting the role.
- The job involves handling money or transferring funds, often with your own money being required upfront.
- You’re asked to make payments via bank transfer, cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin or USDT), or other non-traceable methods.
- Always remember: RecruitNZ will never ask you for money, and any job we offer will involve a professional recruitment process. Be cautious of any job opportunity that requires upfront payments or sensitive information.
If you receive an unsolicited job offer
Follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Verify the source: Check the email address carefully and ensure it matches our official domains. If it’s a random, unsolicited message on social media, it’s not us.
- Do not share any personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive details like your passport, bank account information, or ID without confirming the legitimacy of the contact.
- Trust official channels: If a job offer is not listed on our website or trusted platforms like Seek and Trade Me, it is likely not legitimate.
What to do if you’re unsure
If you are uncertain about whether a message or job offer is legitimate, follow the steps above to try and verify it.
Keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If you’re still unsure, we encourage you to verify directly with us:
📧 Email: info@recruit-nz.co.nz
📞 Phone: (09) 280 3977
Additionally, you can report scams to Netsafe (www.netsafe.org.nz) or CERT NZ (www.cert.govt.nz) and block/report the scammers to the platforms they are using.
By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself and others from falling victim to these scams.