10 Job Scam Red Flags Candidates Should Check

No single warning sign proves a message is fraudulent, but several together should make you stop and independently verify the employer before proceeding.

1. Upfront payment.
   Requests for registration fees, interview fees, refundable deposits or guaranteed-placement payments need independent verification.
2. Personal email instead of an employer domain.
   A recruiter can use an agency address, but a random free email address claiming to be the employer should be checked carefully.
3. Guaranteed selection without a real process.
   Be cautious when the message promises an offer before screening, interviews or employer verification.
4. Pressure to act immediately.
   Scammers often use urgency to prevent you from checking the company, role or payment request.
5. Requests for OTPs or banking credentials.
   These are not normal job-application requirements. Do not share passwords, PINs or OTPs.
6. Interview only through an unusual chat account.
   A chat interview can be legitimate, but verify the recruiter's identity and employer source before sharing documents.
7. Job details that do not match the official page.
   Compare title, location, eligibility, salary claims and requisition ID.
8. Misspelled or look-alike domains.
   One extra character can make a fake domain look convincing. Open the employer's official website separately instead of trusting the forwarded link.
9. Unnecessary personal documents too early.
   Do not send sensitive identity or financial documents simply because someone says they are required for shortlisting.
10. No trace of the role on official sources.
    If a claimed vacancy cannot be found anywhere on the employer's own career channels, verify directly before acting.

A safer verification sequence

Open the employer's main website → find Careers → search the role or requisition ID → compare the location and eligibility → use the official application route. This takes a few minutes and is usually safer than trusting a forwarded message.