Your job search is getting dangerous, says LinkedIn – 9 ways to tell the real scam list

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Highlights taken by ZDNET

• Job and recruitment scams are on the rise, and new tricks can fool even unsuspecting job seekers.
• We’ve listed the biggest red flags to watch for in your job hunt, highlighted by a new LinkedIn study.
• 57% of professionals are more likely than last year to question whether a job is a scam.

It’s a tough job market out there, due to widespread economic uncertainty — and the scammers aren’t helping.

Job and recruitment scams are nothing new; however, they were often easy to spot. Fake or non-existent companies, requests for money to join a “work program,” and demands for credit card information or previous purchases — these were just some of the scams we had to watch out for.

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The game has changed. As highlighted by LinkedIn’s first Search Job Security report, published Wednesday, security is a real concern for job seekers in 2026 — and sighting scams have become a common part of the job hunt.

Job hunting? Red flags to watch for

According to LinkedIn’s research, which included a survey of more than 8,500 full-time and part-time professionals, experiencing work-related scams has become commonplace. Overall, 72% of those surveyed said they now need to check whether a job is genuine before applying, and 57% of professionals are more likely to question whether a job is a scam than last year.

Most of us have come across suspicious job listings, but how do you tell the difference between a genuine posting and a scam posting? These are red flags that may indicate a job is fake:

• It’s too good to be true: It’s advice we’ve heard since we were kids, and it’s true even for career cheats. One of the biggest red flags is a lucrative job offer that seems particularly challenging or requires advanced skills or certifications. Could it be that a real offer pays over $100,000 for a few hours a day in an entry level role? Probably not.
• Staying clear: It’s disappointing when job listings don’t include salary, but this lack of transparency is something we’ve all come to accept. However, if the posting does not include a complete job description, working conditions, responsibilities, or candidate requirements, it may be fake.
• The difference between emailed job listings or job portals: As I discussed, if you were targeted, your CV or social work information on LinkedIn can be removed to adjust existing job roles to suit your skills and history. If it seems like the top position is just for you, be careful. Check the company’s job posting against any given listing, and make sure it matches.
• Suspicious recruitment profiles: More than one-third (36%) of recruiters say they have been victims of impersonation, according to the survey, and 67% say job scams make it difficult to build trust with candidates. If a recruiter profile has no contact information, a generic photo or no photo at all, and no job, someone may be impersonating the real recruiter (if they exist). Do a check and confirm who you are talking to.
• Payment requests: Once the scammer gains a level of trust with the candidate and offers him a job “offer”, he may find himself in a trap: a required payment. This may take the form of material purchases, administrative and registration fees, or similar requests.
• Walking outside the stadium: LinkedIn data shows that 90% of reported fraud messages involve migration to private messaging apps, such as WhatsApp. One of the most common tactics used by scam artists is to get you out of an area, where your conversation cannot be noticed or reported. This is inappropriate behavior and very unusual for any legitimate employer.
• Inappropriate behavior or habits: If the recruiter is strangely familiar with you or acting inappropriately, this is another warning sign.
• Pressure: There are very few situations where an “urgent” job posting is considered truly urgent. You will still have to wait weeks or even months to complete the process. If you are pressured to provide a CV immediately, attend a virtual interview, or provide information, this may indicate that the job is a scam.
• Unusual email addresses: One thing I’ve noticed, especially with targeted recruitment scams, is the use of useless email addresses. For example, you can get “[name].recruiter@outlook.com” and similar nicknames. Professional recruiters will often use a work email address, so using Gmail or Outlook may indicate you’re talking to an impersonator.

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How do you stay safe

A LinkedIn survey also revealed the most common job scam results that professionals encounter today. Overall, 31% of respondents reported more time spent searching for a job, while 27% noted increased stress and anxiety. In addition, 25% experienced a blow to their confidence and a lack of confidence when applying for new roles.

The real need for new opportunities, especially for young people entering the workforce, worsens the situation. According to LinkedIn, nearly one-third of Gen Z job hunters (32%) ignored the warning signs “because they feel the opportunities are rare,” compared to 21% of Gen X job hunters.

However, it is important to avoid scams of this type, because there is no result without losing your data, time, and money. Below are our top tips for navigating this minefield as safely as possible.

• Signs of life: Many job seekers are now looking for “proof of health” before applying for jobs, according to a report. You might consider doing the same — check the company’s reputation, job postings on all social media and social media, and check if the role is available on the company’s job board.
• Verify the sources: Recruiters are impersonated in today’s job scams, so you may not be talking to who you think you are. It is important to verify their identity. In my run-ins with a fake recruiter, I’ve listed some warning signs to watch for — including sloppy email addresses, AI-generated emails, rushing to complete meaningless tasks, and referrals to CV or proposal writing assistants.
• Beware of unsolicited messages: If you’re not on the hunt and don’t know the recruiter or a personal connection, you may be a target. Be very careful if you choose to engage with them.
• Stay on the platform: The employer or “company owner” may try to convince you that discussing a role on WhatsApp is very easy, but don’t be fooled. Sit on the platform.
• Do not reveal sensitive information: You need to think about what the job scam wants from you: data, money, or both. There’s no need for a recruiter to know your Social Security number at the start of an interview, for example — keep your personal information private unless you’re absolutely sure the role is legitimate and that what’s being requested is for legal purposes.
• They paid nothing: No job or role should expect you to pay before you have a contract in hand, and unless it’s an important case — like a uniform in a physical location — you should refuse. If a company says they’ll hire you, but you have to pay for the equipment first, say no. It’s probably a scam.
• Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t sound right, no matter how impressive the list of jobs, it probably isn’t. Your instincts are the best defense you have against being scammed.

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What is LinkedIn doing to catch scams?

LinkedIn is dealing with a number of scam artists trying to list fake roles.

As a result, the site is rolling out new verification options to approve companies, employers, and managers, and uses automated defenses to detect and remove spam and fake content before it appears in the feed.

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Reporting tools are also available for job seekers who suspect a listing is fake, and job posters deemed “high risk” are now required to verify them. If you suspect that the job listing is not genuine, click on the job description and select the ‘…’ tab. You will see an option to report the list on LinkedIn.

However, it is up to us to stay aware of how common these scams are and try to avoid them.