Police, Crime Commissioner and Get Safe Online urge caution as reports of fake job offers surge
AS THOUSANDS of people look to the new year for a fresh start in their working lives, a new campaign has been launched to protect jobseekers from falling victim to employment scams.
Get Safe Online has partnered with the Office of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and North Wales Police to raise awareness of the growing threat of job-related fraud, which has seen a sharp rise across the UK.
The initiative, commissioned by the PCC and local police force, aims to provide residents with practical advice on how to spot and avoid fraudulent job offers — particularly at a time when many people are actively seeking new employment opportunities.
Figures show that employment scams have increased by 237%, with the average victim losing around £1,420. Fraudsters commonly pose as recruiters, asking jobseekers to pay upfront fees or provide personal information, which is then used for further criminal activity.
Tony Neate, Chief Executive of Get Safe Online, said employment scams were becoming increasingly sophisticated.
He said: “Employment scams are commonplace and on the increase in the UK and around the world. Fraudsters’ use of AI can make them more convincing than ever. If you fall for one, you could become a victim of financial or identity fraud — or even end up with a criminal record yourself.”
He urged jobseekers to familiarise themselves with expert guidance available through Get Safe Online before applying for roles.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said the campaign was particularly timely as people reassess their personal and professional goals at the start of the year.
He said: “A new year often brings thoughts of a fresh start — whether that’s a health kick, a new home or a new job. If you’re considering a change in career, it’s vital to do your background checks and ensure the person or company you’re dealing with is legitimate.”
“Preventing people from falling victim to fraud is a priority for me, and I would urge everyone to follow the advice provided by Get Safe Online so they don’t become a victim in the new year.”
Detective Constable Rachel Roberts, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer with North Wales Police, said officers were seeing a rise in reports linked to fake online work opportunities.
She said: “We’ve received reports from victims offered paid employment for completing simple online tasks such as ‘liking’ content or writing fake product reviews. Victims are usually contacted via social media, WhatsApp or text message and are persuaded to pay money upfront to access the work or upgrade their account.”
“Even when tasks are completed, payment never materialises. Instead, victims are asked to pay more money. If you receive unsolicited job offers like this, ignore them, never pay upfront for work, and always verify the company before sharing personal details.”
Get Safe Online is urging jobseekers to carry out thorough checks before applying for roles, to be cautious of unsolicited messages, and to avoid sharing sensitive personal or financial information until a job offer has been confirmed in person.
Anyone unsure about a job advert or employment offer is encouraged to seek independent advice and report concerns through recognised channels such as JobsAware.
Further information and practical tools for safe job seeking are available via Get Safe Online.
