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.
Verify the Recruiter
Search the recruiter's email or phone number on CheckItSA to see if others have reported them.
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