What is an online job scam?

An online job scam is a fake job or side-hustle offer designed to trick you into paying money upfront or sharing personal and banking details.

What are common red flags of fake online jobs?

Red flags include promises of easy money, no experience needed, small early payouts to gain trust, and requests for upfront payments.

Should I ever pay money to secure a job?

No. Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay to secure a job or unlock higher earnings.

What should I do if I think I’ve been targeted by a job scam?

Stop engaging immediately, do not share any details, secure your banking access and report it to Capitec through official channels.

Beware of online job scams

Many South Africans are falling for fake online jobs, advertised on social media and messaging channels like WhatsApp and Telegram. Learn how to spot scams and protect yourself and your money.

As the search for online jobs and side hustles grows, unfortunately, so do scams. Fraudsters create fake job offers using words like ‘high pay,’ ‘no interviews,’ and ‘no experience needed’ to grab your attention. But their end goal is to grab your money! Read our top tips below to learn how to spot and avoid falling for fake online jobs.

Watch out for these red flags:

Jobs with no experience needed and promises of big payouts
Initial offers of small, instant payouts for easy tasks
Requests for upfront payments to get the job or to earn even more

Tips to slam job scams

Stay alert on social: don't trust job ads on social media or messaging channels
Never pay to secure a job or to earn more
If you've never heard of a company, do an online search by typing in the company name and 'job scams'
If you're familiar with the company, verify any job offers on their official communication channels

If you spot or fall for a fake job ad, stop all communication with the scammer immediately and contact your bank’s fraud department.

Stay smart, stay careful

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay alert and use these tips to avoid getting scammed.

Slam the Scam competition

Listen to our latest Slam the Scam episode and enter our competition on Facebook.  You could win a R500 Flexi Voucher.

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