Наталя Хандусенко Work 6 May 2026, 17:35

Job hunting is getting more dangerous, says LinkedIn: here are 9 ways to tell real ads from scams

LinkedIn has released its first job search security report, noting that by 2026, fraud detection will become a routine part of the hiring process.

Here are the red flags that may indicate that a job posting is fake:

Too good to be true. One of the main red flags is a lucrative job offer that doesn’t seem particularly challenging and doesn’t require high-level skills or certifications.
Excessive vagueness. It's common for ads to not include a salary. However, if the post doesn't provide a detailed description of the position, working conditions, responsibilities, or requirements for the candidate, it may be fake.
Mismatch between the ad (or letter) and the information on the official websites. Fraudsters can collect data from your resume or public LinkedIn profile to “match” existing vacancies to your skills and experience. If it seems that the position was created specifically for you, be careful. Always compare the submitted offer with the vacancies on the official website of the company and check whether they match.
Suspicious recruiter profiles. According to a survey, more than a third (36%) of recruiters said they have been victims of impersonation, and 67% say that fraud has made it increasingly difficult for them to build trust with candidates. If a recruiter’s profile has no contact information, no stock photo (or none at all), and no activity, it’s likely that someone is impersonating a real professional (if such a person exists). Do your due diligence and make sure you know who you’re talking to.
Payment requirements. Once a scammer has established a certain level of trust with a candidate and has made an “offer,” they can activate the trap: a demand for payment. This could be presented as equipment purchases, administrative fees, registration fees, or similar requests.
Switching to other platforms. LinkedIn data shows that 90% of messages reported as scams involve an offer to switch to private messengers, such as WhatsApp. One of the most common tactics used by scammers is to take the conversation off-platform, where it cannot be tracked or reported. This behavior is unprofessional and highly uncharacteristic of any honest recruiter.
Unprofessional behavior or working methods. If the recruiter acts strangely familiar or conducts a dialogue in an inappropriate manner, this is another worrying sign.
Pressure. There are very few cases where an “urgent” job is truly that urgent. Even then, the hiring process usually takes weeks or even months. If you are pressured to immediately submit a resume, go through a virtual interview, or provide personal information, this may indicate that the job is a scam.
Strange email addresses: Professional recruiters typically use work email, so using Gmail or Outlook could be a sign that you're communicating with an imposter.

The LinkedIn survey also outlined the most common consequences of job scams that professionals face today. Overall, 31% of respondents reported wasted time while searching for a job, while 27% noted additional stress and anxiety. In addition, 25% of those surveyed experienced a blow to their confidence and a loss of trust when applying for new roles.

The real need for new opportunities, especially among young people just entering the job market, is only making matters worse. According to LinkedIn, nearly a third of Gen Z job seekers (32%) have ignored warning signs “because they feel there is an acute shortage of offers,” compared to 21% of Gen X job seekers.

How to stay safe

Signs of activity: Check the company's reputation, signs of activity on social media and professional communities, and make sure the job is listed on the company's own job board.
Check your sources. Scammers often pose as recruiters, so you may not be talking to the person you think you are. It is important to verify their identity. Other warning signs to look out for include unprofessional email addresses, AI-generated emails, urgent requests to complete meaningless tasks, and recommendations to use “helpers” to write resumes or project proposals.
Be careful with messages from unknown contacts. If you are not actively searching and do not know the recruiter or contact person personally, you may have been targeted by scammers. Be very careful if you decide to engage in a dialogue with them.
Stay on the platform. A recruiter or “company owner” may try to convince you that discussing a job on WhatsApp is more convenient, but don’t be fooled. Stay on the platform.
Don't reveal confidential information. It's worth considering what exactly the scammer wants from you: data, money, or both. For example, a recruiter doesn't necessarily need to know your social security number (or other identifying information) at the very beginning of the conversation. Keep personal information to yourself until you are absolutely sure that the vacancy is real and the request is legitimate.
Don't pay anything. No job or position requires you to pay anything before signing a contract. If a company says they'll hire you but you have to pay for equipment first, refuse. It's probably a scam.

Finally, trust your instincts. If you feel something is off, then no matter how great the job is, it probably is. Your intuition is your best defense against falling victim to scammers.

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Hackers from North Korea rent profiles of foreigners on LinkedIn, Fiverr and Upwork and apply for vacancies at IT companies on their behalf. A cyber specialist conducted an experiment - his rented profile received an offer for $80,000

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Hackers from North Korea rent profiles of foreigners on LinkedIn, Fiverr and Upwork and apply for vacancies at IT companies on their behalf. A cyber specialist conducted an experiment - his rented profile received an offer for $80,000