Jobfishing: Five Steps to Verify the Company That Offered You a Job
In recent times, online scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters exploiting the anonymity of the internet. A new type of fraud, known as jobfishing, has emerged, where fake companies lure unsuspecting job seekers. A BBC investigation uncovered such a scam involving a fictitious design agency, Madbird. Employees were misled into working without pay, believing they were part of a legitimate organization. To help you avoid falling victim to such scams, here are five steps to verify a company before accepting a job offer.
Ensure the Company is Registered
In the UK, you can verify a company’s legitimacy through Companies House, which maintains a public register of incorporated companies. This includes details like the registered address, directors, and financial statements. For companies outside the UK, OpenCorporates offers a similar service, allowing you to cross-reference information to confirm the company’s existence.
Utilize LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a valuable resource for researching jobs, companies, and potential employers. Check the profiles of C-suite executives and directors for activity and connections. While smaller companies may not have a strong presence, this can still provide insights into the company’s legitimacy.
Gather Insights from Glassdoor and Google
Glassdoor offers employee reviews and salary information, which can provide a glimpse into a company’s culture. Be cautious of companies with predominantly negative feedback. Additionally, verify the company’s address through Google Business and use street view to confirm it is an office building.
Cross-Reference Online Presence
If a company claims to have a significant online presence, verify this by searching for articles, podcasts, interviews, or videos related to the company and its directors. Be wary of companies with artificially inflated social media followings.
Verify Video Call Participants
During video calls, ask to see all participants, even briefly, and engage them with direct questions to confirm their involvement. This is a common practice in remote work environments. Trust your instincts and be alert for red flags like commission-only earnings or unusually long probation periods.
If you need support with your job search or hiring needs, please get in touch. We only advertise fully vetted positions and work with clients across all industries. With over 40 years of experience, we offer unrivaled access to a global pool of candidates.
***VMA GROUP is a leading international interim, contract, temporary, and permanent recruitment and executive search specialist. We focus on supporting the communications, digital, and marketing communities. Our practice areas include communications, corporate communications, internal communications, change communications, PR, media relations, financial communications, CSR, public affairs, investor relations, marketing, digital marketing, and agency services. We are committed to equal opportunities and are a Diversity Pledged Recruiter.
