How to Spot and Avoid Recruitment Scams in the UK Tech Industry

Thank you to Samuel Hlabangana, Year 12 student completing work experience this week, who wrote and published this article.

Recruitment scams are becoming increasingly common across the UK, particularly in the competitive IT UK recruitment and UK Tech recruitment markets. Fraudsters are targeting jobseekers with sophisticated schemes that often appear highly convincing. These scams can surface through email, social media, messaging apps, and even video platforms like TikTok, making them harder to detect.

Here’s how to recognise common recruitment scams and protect yourself—or your candidates—from falling victim.

Common Types of Recruitment Scams

1. Fake Email Offers 

Scammers often send unsolicited emails that look like legitimate job offers. These messages might land in your spam folder but sometimes bypass filters entirely. 

Warning signs include: 

• Suspicious email domains or spelling errors in addresses (e.g. careers@amaz0n-jobs.com). 

• Requests for financial information or upfront payments for “training” or “equipment.” 

• Unrealistic compensation for roles requiring no experience. 

Genuine IT UK recruitment agencies will never ask for payment to secure a role, and always use professional company email domains.  

2. LinkedIn Job Scams 

LinkedIn is widely used in UK Tech recruitment and scammers know it. Fraudsters set up convincing fake company profiles or impersonate real recruiters. 

Be cautious if: 

• You’re offered a job without an interview or formal process. 

• The “recruiter” asks for personal data or payment to confirm the role. 

• Their LinkedIn profile has very few connections or is newly created. 

• The messages are poorly written or overly generic. 

Always verify the recruiter’s identity and cross-check the company’s official hiring page.

3. WhatsApp and Telegram Job Offers 

Messaging apps are popular targets for recruitment scams. You might get a message out of the blue saying: 

“Congratulations! You’ve been selected for a remote role paying £300 per day!” 

These scams often involve: 

• Phishing links designed to steal personal data.
• Requests for upfront fees for “training” or “access” to work.
• Fraudulent sales or marketing schemes.

Be cautious if you receive an unsolicited job message on WhatsApp or Telegram—especially if it sounds too good to be true. 

4. TikTok Job Scams 

The rise of TikTok has given scammers a new platform to reach jobseekers, especially younger candidates looking for flexible online work. 

Scammers post flashy videos promising: 

• Easy, high-paying remote jobs requiring minimal effort.
• Access to exclusive roles via registration fees.
• Quick profits in return for small “investments” in crypto or trading.

Often, they’ll direct you to external websites or private groups on Telegram, where further scams unfold. 

Recent research has shown some victims have lost thousands of pounds to these scams. Always be skeptical of job adverts on TikTok or other social media without a clear, verifiable source.

How to Avoid Recruitment Scams 

Recruitment scams work because they exploit jobseekers’ vulnerability—particularly during periods of unemployment or financial pressure. 

Key reasons people fall victim: 

• Economic hardship: The promise of high, easy income is very tempting.
• Sophisticated tactics: Scammers mimic professional recruiters and company branding convincingly.
• Lack of awareness: Many jobseekers are unfamiliar with the common signs of recruitment scams. Especially in the competitive UK Tech recruitment market, candidates eager to land a role might overlook red flags.

How to Keep Safe

Whether you’re hiring for IT UK recruitment or looking for your next role, these tips can help you stay safe: 

• Verify email addresses: Legitimate recruiters use professional domains (e.g. name@company.com). Be wary of free or misspelled email domains.
• Research the company: Visit their official website, check job listings, and confirm recruiter details.
• Contact them directly: Use publicly listed company contact details to verify a job offer.
• Never pay to get a job: Legitimate employers don’t ask for payment for training, equipment, or background checks.
• Be cautious with personal information: Don’t share sensitive details too early in the process. 
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, pause and investigate. 

At Corecom, we’re committed to maintaining the highest standards in IT UK recruitment and UK Tech recruitment. We encourage all jobseekers and employers to stay informed, stay cautious, and help build a safer hiring environment. If you are looking for a new role in tech or IT, send us your updated CV, and check out this guide to getting noticed by recruiters on LinkedIn.

If you suspect a recruitment scam or want advice on safe hiring practices, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. 

How Businesses Can Prevent Brand Impersonation 

At Corecom, we recently experienced a situation where our brand name and logo were stolen by scammers on Telegram, who falsely claimed to be recruiting on our behalf. Unfortunately, this type of impersonation is becoming more common, especially in the IT UK recruitment and UK Tech recruitment industries. 

To help protect your company, here are five actions businesses can take to prevent brand impersonation and recruitment fraud: 

1. Regularly Monitor Your Brand Online 

Search for your company name on social media platforms, messaging apps like Telegram, and search engines. Look out for fake profiles, job adverts, or unauthorised use of your logo. 

2. Issue Public Warnings and Verify Accounts 

If you’re made aware of impersonators, post an official statement on your website and social media. Clearly state which channels are legitimate and how jobseekers can identify real communications from your team. 

Example: “Corecom will never ask for payment as part of our recruitment process. All legitimate offers will come from @corecomconsulting.com email addresses.” 

3. Register on Verified Hiring Platforms 

Use verified platforms like LinkedIn Recruiter, Indeed, and official job boards that allow employer verification. This adds a layer of trust for candidates. 

4. Secure Your Digital Assets 

Ensure your domain, brand assets, and email systems are secure. Consider trademarking your logo and name to legally protect against misuse. 

5. Report and Remove Impersonators 

If someone is impersonating your business on platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, or TikTok: 

• Report the account or group directly to the platform. 

• Collect screenshots and URLs as evidence. 

• Contact Action Fraud UK or National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for serious cases. 

Final Thoughts

The tech sector is always growing and changing, bringing with it a wave of exciting opportunities. Unfortunately, this means that these sneaky scams will continue. So, whether you’re a job seeker diving into UK tech recruitment or a business working to build trust, staying sharp is your best defense. Businesses especially need to be on their toes. Keeping a close eye on your brand and publicly warning about imposters can seriously cut down the risk of someone pretending to be you. Plus, using verified hiring platforms really helps build trust with candidates. And don’t forget, locking down your digital assets and reporting fakes ensures long-term protection. Ultimately, these moves are all about safeguarding your reputation from a business perspective, but protecting your time and data from a personal perspective.

Here at Corecom, we manage transparent, secure, and ethical recruitment processes. Above all, we’re committed to protecting both our brand and the people who put their trust in us. Please reach out to us if you see anything suspicious!

By Samuel Hlabangana