Fake job texts are rising — spot them before you apply

Virgin Media O2's latest Scam Index flags recruitment scams as a growing problem, with fake job texts doing the rounds again. These are the messages that promise easy money, flexible hours, or a job you never applied for, usually asking you to click a link or hand over personal details fast.

Job scams work because they copy the shape of real recruitment: a text that looks like it's from a known brand, an offer that sounds plausible, a bit of urgency. When you're actively job hunting and checking your phone for good news, it's easy to let your guard down.

Why jobseekers are a target

Scammers know people searching for work are hopeful and often in a hurry. A message saying you've been shortlisted, or offering remote work with high pay for little effort, lands differently when you're genuinely looking. That's exactly why this category of scam keeps coming back — it preys on a real, understandable need.

What to watch for

• An unexpected text or WhatsApp message about a job, especially one you didn't apply for
• Pressure to act quickly or pay something upfront (for 'training', equipment, or a background check)
• Requests for bank details, ID, or your National Insurance number before any formal process
• A link to a site that doesn't match the real company's domain
• Vague job titles with unrealistically high pay for minimal work

What to do instead

• Go directly to the company's own website or verified careers page rather than clicking a link in a text
• Search the company name plus 'scam' before engaging further
• Never share bank or ID details until you're in a proper, verified recruitment process
• Report suspicious texts by forwarding them to 7726 (works across UK mobile networks)
• If in doubt, ask someone else to look at the message before you reply

None of this means you should distrust every message about a job. Real recruiters do reach out, especially for in-demand roles. The difference is usually in the detail: a genuine approach references a specific role, company, or platform, and doesn't ask for money or sensitive data upfront.

The rise in these scams is a reminder that a good chunk of job searching now happens through genuine, unsolicited contact — so it pays to know what legitimate outreach looks like versus what doesn't. Keep your CV ready and accurate so that when a real opportunity does come in, you're not scrambling. FixMyCV tailors your CV to the role you're applying for and never invents experience, so you're ready to move quickly when it's the real thing.

Source: Virgin Media O2. FixMyCV summarises and comments; we never reproduce articles.