Job seekers across the United Kingdom are being targeted by a sophisticated and cruel new scam, with fraudsters posing as recruiters on major platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to steal highly sensitive personal information.
The cunning con involves criminals creating fake profiles for well-known companies and recruitment agencies. They then approach unsuspecting professionals with enticing job offers, pressuring them to hand over their CVs, which are goldmines for identity theft.
How the Elaborate Scam Operates
The process is designed to appear legitimate from start to finish. It often begins with a direct message on LinkedIn or a response to a job application on Indeed. The 'recruiter' will express strong interest and may even conduct a brief interview via text-based chat or email.
The critical moment comes when they request a CV. Once received, the fraudster uses the wealth of personal data—full name, address, phone number, employment history, education, and sometimes even passport details—to commit a range of crimes.
The Devastating Aftermath for Victims
This is far more than a simple nuisance. The stolen information is a key that unlocks a victim's life. Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre, confirms this data is used for:
- Identity Theft: Applying for loans, credit cards, and mobile phone contracts in the victim's name.
- Advanced Fee Fraud: Using the personal details to make sophisticated phishing attempts seem more credible.
- Selling on the Dark Web: CVs can be bundled and sold to other criminals, amplifying the risk.
Many victims only discover the fraud months later when they receive bills for services they never ordered or when their credit score is mysteriously ruined.
Red Flags: How to Protect Yourself
Experts advise vigilance. Be extremely cautious if a recruiter:
- Contacts you from a personal email address (e.g., @gmail.com) instead of a corporate domain.
- Offers a job with a high salary but little to no interview process.
- Pressures you to send information immediately.
- Is difficult to find online with a sparse LinkedIn profile lacking connections.
The safest course of action is to independently verify the company and the job offer. Find the official website of the alleged employer through a search engine—not via a link the recruiter sent you—and call their HR department directly to confirm the vacancy and the recruiter's identity.
If you believe you have been targeted, report it immediately to Action Fraud. Staying informed and sceptical is your best defence against this growing threat to UK professionals.
