Every day, job seekers search for opportunities, but many encounter fraudulent offers that waste time or harm finances. On October 3, Dmitry Chernyshov, an HR director at OOO “Together,” shared advice with Izvestia on identifying deceptive job listings.
Chernyshov emphasized the importance of scrutinizing vacancy details. Phrases like “diverse work in a friendly team” or “reliable people needed for a new project” often hide non-existent roles without clear responsibilities. He warned that missing company names, websites, or addresses raises red flags. Verifying banking details is crucial—if the INN does not match the listed company or its activities differ from the job description, the offer should be avoided.
Scammers frequently use intermediaries to recruit for vague positions across industries, he noted. Promises of “easy money” or “passive income” are tactics to exploit desperation. A salary that deviates from market standards is another warning sign. Legitimate employers follow structured hiring processes, including interviews and tests, whereas rapid contract signings after brief conversations are suspicious.
Chernyshov also highlighted risks of sharing personal data prematurely. Law-abiding companies request sensitive information only during formal onboarding. Paying deposits, fees for training, or purchasing equipment to start a job is a clear scam.
Fake vacancies may serve multiple purposes: building databases for spam, analyzing market trends, or inflating workforce numbers. Some HR professionals create non-existent roles to justify their positions.
To protect against fraud, Chernyshov advised researching companies through official websites and employee reviews. Asking detailed questions about tasks and working conditions is essential. A transparent employer will provide clear answers.
Separately, cybersecurity experts warned of a new scam involving digital replicas of deceased individuals created via neural networks. Attackers use these to deceive victims, often requesting SMS codes—a tactic linked to fraud. Real service providers would never ask for such credentials.
