EntryHire editorial · 10 October 2026
Spot a job scam before you apply
Check the employer, application link and requests for money or personal information.
Pause when a job asks you to pay
A request for money to secure a job, get shortlisted or release an appointment letter is a serious warning sign. Scammers may describe it as a refundable registration, background-check or administration fee. Do not let a promised salary or urgent deadline pressure you into paying.
South Africa’s Department of Employment and Labour has warned job seekers about recruitment fee scams. A logo, official-looking letter or familiar employer name does not prove a message is genuine. Check the opportunity independently.
Verify the vacancy from a fresh starting point
Find the employer’s official website yourself and open its careers section. Check whether the role, reference number and application instructions match. If an external recruitment platform is used, look for a link from the employer’s own website.
Read the full website address. Extra words, misspellings and shortened links can hide the destination. A padlock means the connection is encrypted; it does not establish that the recruiter is legitimate. A WhatsApp message alone is not enough evidence to send money or sensitive documents.
Ask through an independent contact
If you cannot verify the advert, contact the employer using details found on its official website, rather than a number in the suspicious message. Ask whether the vacancy and recruiter are authorised. Do not rely on a screenshot of someone else’s confirmation.
Warning signs include an offer without a meaningful recruitment process, pressure to act immediately, instructions to pay a personal account or a request to keep the process secret. One unusual detail may have an explanation; several together are a reason to stop and verify.
Protect your documents and accounts
Never share a banking password, card PIN or one-time password with a recruiter. Be cautious with ID copies and other personal documents: check the recipient and whether the document is needed at this stage. Use a verified portal when the employer provides one.
Do not install software or give remote access to your device simply because a supposed recruiter asks. If the application requires an account, use a unique password. Avoid forwarding a suspicious advert to friends as a verified opportunity.
If you already responded
Save the messages, website address, payment request and any receipts. Stop engaging with the sender. If you paid money or exposed banking access, contact your bank immediately through its official channel and explain what happened. Change affected account passwords.
Report the impersonation to the real employer. The Department of Employment and Labour’s warning below provides reporting guidance. You can also report suspected fraud to the police. EntryHire links are a starting point: always confirm the current vacancy and requirements with the employer before applying.