A new report from Heimdal has revealed that job seekers around the world are being targeted by scams that exploit people looking for work in sectors such as finance, IT and healthcare.
Based on an analysis of more than 2,670 social media posts and comments from victims in 2023 and 2024, the report highlights scammers’ common tactics, the hardest-hit sectors and the emotional toll these scams take on their victims.
The financial and IT sectors are the most targeted by job fraud, with 35.45% and 30.43% of reported cases respectively, with healthcare accounting for 15.41% of incidents.
These sectors, especially those offering remote roles, have become key targets for fraudsters, the report says, with almost half (43%) of scam-related job postings being for remote jobs, compared to 42% for onsite roles and 15% for hybrid jobs. positions.
High-value positions, such as managers and entry-level candidates, are also heavily targeted, as 35% of scams target managers, while 34% target entry-level job seekers. These positions are particularly attractive to scammers due to the large number of candidates and the lure of potentially lucrative job opportunities.
Various tactics are often used by scammers to dupe unsuspecting victims, but suspicious contact information is the most common warning sign, accounting for 41.1% of cases. Unrealistic salary offers (25.7%) and misleading job descriptions (10.6%) are also used to lure victims.
Email is the most popular method scammers use to achieve their goals, accounting for 30.75% of cases, followed by social media (20.19%) and websites (19.79%). The convenience of digital communication platforms has made it easier for scammers to pose as legitimate businesses and deceive job seekers.
The report also outlines several warning signs that job seekers should be aware of to avoid falling into the trap. Requests for advance payments, mentioned in 25.08% of cases, are a common tactic used by scammers. Phishing attempts (18.81%) and requests for confidential information (17.49%) also indicate possible fraud. Additionally, missing an interview (15.84%) or receiving a job offer without applying (12.21%) are major red flags. Additionally, poorly written job descriptions, which often contain spelling mistakes or inconsistencies, are another sign of a potential scam. These descriptions, present in 10.56% of cases, may indicate a lack of professionalism and authenticity.
Beyond the financial damage, job scams leave a lasting emotional toll on victims. The report shows that 35.29% of victims reported distress, 23.53% experienced fear and 9.41% felt anger. Victims often feel ashamed and doubt their worth as a candidate, especially after being rejected multiple times during their job search. Many victims also feel a deep sense of injustice, believing that regulators and law enforcement agencies are not adequately equipped to protect them. This lack of closure can lead to lingering emotional scars that last long after the scam.
To avoid falling into job fraud, checking company reviews and verifying company information are crucial steps, with 26.96% and 22.87% of victims citing them as helpful strategies. It is also recommended to check with trusted friends and verify email domains to ensure that job postings are legitimate.
“It’s clear that job platforms are struggling to keep up with the growing number of scammers,” says Valentin Rusu, Lead Machine Learning Engineer at Heimdal Security.
“That’s why job seekers must adopt a cybersecurity-first mindset—approach every email and job offer with caution. Verify email domains, check company websites, read reviews, and consult with trusted friends before proceeding. And most importantly, never reveal any personal information unless you are absolutely certain of the company’s legitimacy.”, Rusu added.