Campaign warns North Wales jobseekers of rising employment scams
A new campaign has launched in North Wales to help jobseekers avoid falling victim to employment scams as reports of online job fraud rise sharply.
Get Safe Online has joined forces with the Office of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin and North Wales Police to share advice and guidance for residents across the region.
Employment scams have increased by 237%, with victims losing an average of £1,420. Common scams include recruiters asking for fees to secure a role or requesting personal details that are later used for fraud.
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, said: “Employment scams are common and on the rise in the UK and around the world. Fraudsters’ use of AI can make them more convincing than ever. If you fall for one, you could become a victim of financial or identity fraud, or even get a criminal record yourself. Make sure none of these happen to you by reading our expert tips. Learn more at www.getsafeonline.org.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, said: “As we begin a new year, many people start to think about a fresh start, whether that’s in their personal or professional lives – a health kick, a new house, or a new job. If anyone is looking for a new career, it’s important to be mindful of employment scams and do the necessary background checks to make sure the person or company they are dealing with is genuine. As Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, preventing people from falling prey to fraud is very important to me, and I would urge everyone to follow Get Safe Online’s tips on how to avoid employment scams and not become a new victim in the new year.”
DC Rachel Roberts, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer with North Wales Police, said: “North Wales Police have received several reports from victims who were offered paid employment opportunities for completing simple online tasks, such as ‘liking’ online content or writing fake product reviews. Victims are usually contacted on social media, WhatsApp or by text message and are persuaded to pay money upfront to gain access to the tasks or upgrade their account, which supposedly provides better pay. Even when tasks are completed, the victim does not receive payment but is asked to pay more to earn money or release funds owed. If you are contacted with similar offers, ignore unsolicited messages, never pay upfront for work, and always verify the company before sharing any personal information.”
Get Safe Online’s advice for jobseekers includes checking that employers and job sites are legitimate, avoiding upfront payments, using strong passwords, and ensuring interviews take place face-to-face where possible. Anyone unsure about a job offer or advertisement can report concerns to JobsAware via www.jobsaware.co.uk
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Further advice can be found at www.getsafeonline.org/safejobseekertools
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