Fraudulent job postings and application phishing scams: What to watch out for

We never ask for payment

Searchspring will never ask you for any payment in exchange for a job consideration or request you to deposit a check into your personal bank account as a requirement for employment.

Double check the email address

Emails from genuine Searchspring HR professionals, Recruiters, or Hiring Managers will always come from an “@searchspring.com” address. If you receive email correspondence from a free, web-based e-mail account such as Yahoo.com, Yahoo.co.uk, Gmail.com, Googlemail.com, Live.com, etc., it is most likely phony.

Application process

Although you may find the job posting on a job board such as LinkedIn, Indeed, or ZipRecruiter, as a best practice, always go to the Searchspring Careers webpage at www.searchspring.com/careers to access the legitimate application. If you see the job posting on a job board, but not on the Searchspring Careers webpage, it is most likely a fraudulent job posting. Beware if individuals make early requests for personal information such as your date of birth, passport details, bank details, social security number, etc. We will never ask these questions on the online job application or request that you share this information over email or chat.

Depending on the role, we typically like to have 2-4 interviews with candidates before making the decision to hire.

Frequently, perpetrators of recruitment fraud will conduct the entire hiring process over email, chat, or text message and will often ask candidates to complete bogus recruitment documentation, such as application forms, terms and conditions of employment, or visa forms. In these cases, the Searchspring logo may fraudulently be featured on the documentation. Perpetrators frequently use local presence dialing technology to mask their phone number and have it appear as though it’s coming from somewhere in the United States when it may not be.

Hiring timeline

The hiring process at Searchspring usually takes a few weeks. But, with perpetrators of recruitment fraud, there is usually an insistence or urgency to get a candidate hired. Use caution.

Communication platforms

We do not conduct interviews through Text Message, WhatsApp, Trillian, Telegram or other third-party text based chat messaging platforms. The typical interview process usually starts with email outreach to schedule a phone call or a Google Meet or Zoom video call with one of our recruiters or hiring managers.

We will never ask you to contact third parties to complete your application or be considered for a job.

In some instances of recruitment fraud, candidates may be requested to contact other companies/individuals such as lawyers, bank officials, travel agencies, courier companies, visa/immigration processing agencies, etc.

If you suspect fraud

If you feel you are falling victim to recruitment fraud, or something just doesn’t feel right, please contact your local authorities or file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Alternatively, if you are unsure about the legitimacy of a job posting, please contact us at careers@searchspring.com.