Recruiting Scams Tips

  1. Pacer will never Whatsapp message you for a Job Offer.
  2. Also Pacer’s recruiter will never start conversation on Text, ask them to email for legitimacy and email has to be from ” pacerstaffing.com ” domain.

How to Stay Safe Against This Growing Threat

At Pacer, we have seen the staffing industry evolve over the past two decades. While remote work has revolutionized the job market, it has also given rise to sophisticated recruitment scams that target unsuspecting job seekers. Understanding these scams and knowing how to protect yourself is essential. Below, we’ll explore what recruitment scams are and the best strategies to verify recruiters to ensure a secure job search experience.

What is a Recruitment Scam?

A recruitment scam occurs when an individual impersonates a legitimate recruiter or employer to deceive job seekers. These scammers often pose as representatives of well-known companies, aiming to steal personal information, money, or both.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reported losses to job scams more than tripled from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024 alone, losses exceeded $220 million. A significant contributor to this surge is the rise of “task scams,” which accounted for nearly 40% of job scam reports in 2024. In these scams, individuals are enticed to perform seemingly simple online tasks, often involving cryptocurrency transactions, only to be defrauded in the process.

This alarming trend underscores the importance of vigilance during job searches. Always verify the legitimacy of job offers and be cautious of unsolicited communications that seem too good to be true.

How to Verify a Recruiter’s Legitimacy

You receive an email, LinkedIn message, text, or call from a recruiter offering an opportunity that aligns with your skills and expectations. How do you confirm if the recruiter is legitimate? Here are several key verification steps:

1. Check the Company’s Official Website Scammers often include fraudulent website links in their messages. Instead of clicking any provided link, search for the company’s official website and compare web addresses. If they don’t match, it’s a strong indication of a scam. Additionally, companies sometimes have separate career sites. To confirm legitimacy, check if job listings appear on the official corporate website. If the recruiter has not shared a company link, visit the official website and check for:
  • Staff Directory: Look for the recruiter’s name and contact information. While large companies may not list all employees, this can be a good starting point.
  • Job Listings: If an internal recruiter reaches out, the position should be publicly listed. However, third-party staffing firms may not always post roles externally.
  • Social Media Presence: Verify the company’s LinkedIn or other official social media pages.
  • Direct Contact Information: Reach out to the company via official phone numbers or emails to verify the recruiter.
  • Consumer Alerts: Some organizations post warnings if scammers have been impersonating them.

2. Verify the Recruiter’s Email Address

Authentic company recruiters use official email addresses associated with the organization’s domain. For instance, Pacer recruiters will have an email ending in “@thepacer.com & @pacerstaffing.com”

Scammers sometimes manipulate display names to appear legitimate while using deceptive email addresses. To check the actual sender:

  • Hover over the display name to reveal the actual email address.
  • Be cautious of minor letter substitutions, such as using an uppercase “I” instead of a lowercase “L.”

If the email domain does not match the company’s official website, the recruiter is likely a scammer.

How to Report a Fraudulent Recruiter

If you suspect you have been contacted by a fraudulent recruiter:

  • Notify the company being impersonated.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), BBB, state attorney general’s office, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
  • If contacted through social media, report the scammer on that platform.
  • Block the scammer to prevent further contact.

Why Work with Pacer?

At Pacer, we value integrity and transparency in every aspect of recruitment. We strive to create a safe job search environment and ensure that all interactions with our recruiters are genuine and trustworthy.

If you need to verify a Pacer recruiter, please reach out to us directly. We are here to help you navigate your job search with confidence.

Beyond staffing, Pacer is committed to supporting professionals and fostering a positive work culture. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Industry-leading candidate satisfaction
  • Career development programs
  • Employee networking groups
  • Community involvement initiatives
  • Dedicated support for employees and consultants

If you’re looking for new opportunities, explore our job listings or connect with our team today.