Fake Job Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot and Avoid Them

Jobs platforms are being inundated with fake job ads generated by artificial intelligence, costing jobseekers time and money. LinkedIn, SEEK, and Indeed are battling against a growing tide of scam ads, prompting warnings about fraudulent listings that offer lucrative salaries for little or no experience.

Despite growing awareness, scammers continue to succeed because their offers often appear legitimate, using stolen logos, professional language, and promises of fast money. Indeed workplace expert Lauren Anderson urges jobseekers to report suspicious ads so platforms can act quickly to remove scams.

She warns to be cautious with job offers that ask for upfront payments for equipment, training, or onboarding, promise high pay for little effort, request personal or financial details early, or pressure you to act quickly or move conversations off-platform. If a job ad sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

“Job scams aren’t always easy to detect and are becoming more sophisticated. They’re designed to look more professional, urgent, and convincing, and can trick even the most discerning of jobseekers,” Anderson says. Scammers often alter job postings to make them more attractive, changing minimum requirements, work locations, or boosting pay. Other red flags include recruiters being evasive or offering a job without an interview.

Three in five workers who have come across a fake job ad have fallen victim, according to Indeed. Nearly half lost time in lengthy back-and-forth conversations, 22% had personal information stolen, and one in 10 lost money through upfront fees or fake training costs. Australians lost around $18.5 million to job scams in 2025, with nearly 5,500 scams reported to Scamwatch.

Younger Australians are particularly at risk: Gen Z and Millennials are far more likely to fall victim, and men are twice as likely to lose money (16% vs 7%). Also watch out for job aggregators that scrape sites for jobs to post on LinkedIn—often these are long expired. They ask for personal information to access listings and upsell premium services.

Stay vigilant and always verify job offers directly through company websites. If something feels off, trust your instincts.