Recognize the pattern
How it starts
Job boards, recruitment emails, or social contact.
The promise
High pay, no experience, and immediate hiring.
What happens next
A staged hiring process sends payments to a private supplier for a nonexistent position.
Signs to watch for
- Hires without a meaningful interview
- Requires a deposit before work
- Email domain differs from the company
Start with what you can do now
If this happened to you
Pause payments and document submissions
Report impersonation to the job platform
Contact your bank and police if paid
What to save
Keep the original records. Use copies to organize the details.
- Job listing
- Offer email
- Fee receipts
- Recruiter details
Before you send money
- Confirm the opening with the employer through its published contact details.
- Check the full recruiter email address, not just the display name.
- Do not send money to a recruiter or their equipment vendor for a promised job.
These guides explain common patterns. The facts of your situation and your payment provider’s rules determine which steps are available.