Beware of Job Scams
Protect yourself during your job search.
Aquent is aware that scammers are using our company name to trick people into applying for jobs that don't exist. These job scams also try to get job seekers to provide sensitive personal information, financial information, or payment to the scammer.
What job scams look like
- WhatsApp (or other social media platform) messages from unknown numbers claiming to be somebody working for Aquent
- Fake job postings on Facebook or Linkedin job groups and other social media platforms
- Emails from private/personal email addresses with a vague opportunity
How to avoid job scams
- Be wary of job postings that only include a few brief requirements. Legitimate jobs normally list extensive qualifications
- Don't provide sensitive information such as bank details or pictures of your passport/driving licence until you're certain the offer is legitimate
- Many scams are related to work-from-home jobs. Since Aquent offers many legitimate remote opportunities, the best way to find them is by visiting our website—aquent.co.uk/find-work
- Scammers often use email addresses with free email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail. Our Aquent recruiters will only email job seekers from an @aquent.com email address
- Recent scams we've seen use international phone numbers (e.g. starting +27 – from South Africa). If you're unsure about the authenticity of a text or WhatsApp message and the area code is unfamiliar this could be a scam
- Aquent agents rarely operate via WhatsApp, and are most likely to reach out via Linkedin InMail, email from an @aquent.com address, or call you directly about an opportunity
Here's how to report different scam messages (according to the UK National Cyber Security Centre)
- If you have received an email which you're not quite sure about, forward it or email screenshots of the scam to report@phishing.gov.uk
- Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it's found to be malicious. You can also send screenshots/screen recordings of text messages to report@phishing.gov.uk
- If you see a suspicious ad in a paid-for space, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and report suspicious websites to the NCSC