Most fake offers use two pressure tactics: upfront payment and urgent deadlines. Use this checklist before sharing documents or committing to a role.
1) Company Identity
- Official domain email: name@company.com (not free inboxes)
- Website & address: About/Contact page with office location and working phone
- Consistent branding: Company name matches on website, email signature, and offer letter
2) Job Details Match
- Title & department match the vacancy
- Location & reporting line clearly stated
- Hours, days off, overtime policy specified
- Compensation breakdown (basic, allowances, incentives) written and realistic
3) No Fees Policy
Legitimate employers/recruiters don’t ask candidates to pay for interviews, processing, training, visas, or medicals. If asked to pay, decline and consider reporting.
4) Contract & Onboarding
- Offer letter first, then employment contract after acceptance
- Names, passport number (if requested), and role must match
- Read clauses: probation, notice, leaves, accommodation/transport (if provided)
5) Documents & Privacy
- Share only what’s required at each stage
- Never share OTP codes or bank PINs
- For document scans, mask extra information when possible
Common Scam Patterns
- “Pay now to confirm your seat.”
- “Guaranteed visa in 7 days.”
- “Training fee refundable after joining.”
- “Interview only on messaging apps; no official contact.”
- Poor grammar; inconsistent names/addresses.
If You’re Unsure
- Request a short video call with the hiring manager
- Ask for a confirmation from the company’s corporate email
- Verify through the public phone number listed on the website
Sample Replies (Copy‑Paste)
Verification request:
“Thank you for the offer. For security, I only proceed with official company emails and a verified contract process. Please confirm next steps from your corporate domain and share public contact details so I can verify. Thanks for understanding.”
Decline due to fees:
“I don’t proceed with offers that require candidate payments for interviews, visas, or medicals. If your policy changes, I’d be glad to reconnect.”
FAQs
1) Are agencies allowed to charge jobseekers? Many reputable agencies don’t charge candidates. Be cautious with any payment requests.
2) The package is unusually high—legit? Verify more carefully.
3) Passport and bank details requested upfront? Share only after verification and only when necessary.
Internal links: /dubai-jobs-in-demand-2025 /walk-in-interviews-uae-2025 /uae-ats-cv-guide-2025