Is That Job Offer Real? 3 Red Flags to Watch For

With unemployment high, scammers are preying on desperate job seekers. Here is how to tell if a recruiter is legitimate.

1. They Ask for Money upfront

This is the biggest rule: Legitimate jobs NEVER ask you to pay. Not for "uniforms," not for "background checks," and not for "admin fees." If they ask for money, it is a scam.

2. The Email Address is Free

Real recruiters from big companies (like Shoprite or Sasol) use corporate emails (e.g. careers@shoprite.co.za). They do NOT use Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook addresses.

3. The Interview is ONLY on WhatsApp

While some initial chats happen on WhatsApp, a text-only interview followed immediately by a "Job Offer" is highly suspicious. Real companies will call you or do a video interview.