In 2018 it’s harder than ever to find a reputable job. Zero hours contracts, short-term contracts, shift working, low wages – all things which can make it harder to secure that well-paid job with great conditions and opportunities for progression. Unfortunately, and as in any market, there’s possibilities of fraud, both from the side of recruiters, and from the side of employees.
Bogus Job Offerings
One of the main things to keep an eye open for is bogus job offerings. Applicants may be approached by a recruiter or an individual, claiming to have the perfect job for them. The applicant is eventually asked for money as a processing fee, or for a training pack, or to get some sort of licence or certificate which will allow them to take up employment. It’s only after the applicant has sent payments that they realise that there is no job, and they’ve been the victim of a sophisticated con. Protect yourself from these sort of bogus opportunities by doing some online research on any company and any company asking for money up front should set alarm bells ringing.
Being Asked to Pay for DBS?
One of the only exceptions to being asked for fees is being asked to fund your own DBS checks. For many occupations, especially those working with children or in healthcare professions, you have to be checked for suitability before starting work. A DBS check is a check into background, with different levels of checking required depending on the job role. Many employers will cover the cost of doing DBS checks on people who have applied to work with them, but they don’t have to. Being asked to pay towards your DBS check isn’t necessarily an indication that the employer is doing anything fraudulent, but it makes sense to have a firm offer in writing before agreeing to pay the money. Current rates for DBS checking are widely published online, so check how much it actually costs to process your check, and don’t agree to any “administrative” costs on top.
Responsibility for Employers
From an employer’s perspective, recruitment fraud has to be considered from another angle. Not everyone presenting themselves for a job may be who they say they are. Employers are legally obliged to check that they are employing people legally, and that their workers have the right to live and work in the UK. Most employers do this by asking applicants to show passports. Employers aren’t expected to be forgery experts, but the law does expect a reasonable degree of checking. If you suspect documents shown are not genuine, report this to the police. Employers who are recruiting for jobs requiring a DBS check have to carry out new checks on each person who starts work – you can’t just accept a DBS check carried out for a previous position. Checking identity is the first part of the DBS process and it’s a good idea to keep copies of identity documents supplied in case of any suspicion of fraud in the future.
