Current Scams
Current scams
At SEEK, we take your online safety, security and privacy seriously. We are constantly on the lookout for potential risks that may target our customers. Our top priority is not only to protect you from those risks, but also provide you with clear and concise information to help you ensure your own online safety.
Scams targeting job seekers
We are aware of scammers out there pretending to represent SEEK and reaching out to job seekers through SMS, messaging apps like WhatsApp and social media platforms like Instagram. We want to make sure you are aware of these types of scams so that you can stay safe while searching for jobs. Your online protection is our priority.
No one from SEEK in Australia or New Zealand will ever reach out to any job seeker via text message, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, or other social media apps.
If you receive a job offer that appears to be sent from SEEK, don’t reply or engage with the scammer. Block the number and report the message and sender within the messaging platform.
Current Scams
One of the challenges we face as a trusted brand is that unscrupulous actors may exploit our reputation for their own unlawful activities. Scammers are getting more inventive in their tactics, using the names of well-known brands, including ours, to build a false sense of trust with potential victims.
Fake part-time job offer impersonating SEEK
Scammers attempt to psychologically trick people by pretending to be legitimate companies. In this example, they are posing as a SEEK recruiter and offering a fake part-time job with high pay for just one hour of work daily.
This tactic creates a false sense of reward and excitement, leading us to act quickly without considering the risks involved. It is effective because, as humans, we are naturally drawn to quick monetary gains with minimal effort.
We want to emphasise that this is an ongoing scam and NOT a legitimate communication from SEEK.
How to Protect Yourself
Be wary of unrealistic offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These offers are often designed to exploit our desire for quick financial gain, making us overlook the red flags.
Check if messages are real before taking action. SEEK will never contact you with job offers through text, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, or other social media platform.
Watch out for changes in messages in repeated attempts. Scammers may change minor details such as their name, phone number, or even replace a phone number with a link instead, in their repeated attempts, to avoid detection.
Keep personal details private. Never share personal or financial details. SEEK will never ask you to provide sensitive information like your email address, passwords, or bank details via unsolicited messages.
Report scams. If you come across any scam messages or spot suspicious communication or activity, report it immediately and block the number or contact.
Fake ads impersonating SEEK
Phishing scams aren’t limited to emails. Phishing can also occur via different platforms such as text messages, phone calls and even on social media.
In the example above, an Instagram ad is impersonating SEEK by using the SEEK logo and color scheme to make the ad look legitimate. We want to emphasise that these communications are NOT from SEEK and are part of a scam.
How to protect yourself
Always check the advertiser’s name. Legitimate ads from SEEK will clearly display “SEEK” as the advertiser or social media handle. If the account name is different, like the example above showing it’s from HireWave HR Solutions, it is a scam.
Navigate directly to a company's official website or carefully review the URL. Scammers often mimic brands and logos to appear legitimate, so visiting the webpage through the official website reduces your chances of landing on an impersonated or phishing site. If you're unable to find the webpage directly, check the URL for a legitimate domain name (e.g., @companyname) or look for any misspellings. For example, "seek.com.au" is legitimate, while "se3k.com.au" is fake, where the 'e' is replaced with a '3,' a small alteration that could easily be overlooked.
Avoid supplying your personal and financial information to unsolicited ads. SEEK will never ask for sensitive information (like your email address, bank details, or passwords) through social media ads. Be wary of ads that ask for this type of information.
If you spot a suspicious ad on Instagram or any other social media platform, report it immediately. Social media platforms often take down fraudulent ads after receiving reports. Click here to see how to report an ad on Instagram.
Head to Scamwatch to learn more about side hustle scams
See below for more information about staying safe online.
Does SEEK send unsolicited messages via messaging apps or social media apps in Australia or New Zealand?
No, we will never contact you via these methods. Scammers use publicly available data, including logos and photos along with fake phone numbers to impersonate people working at SEEK.
If I get a message that looks like it's from SEEK, what should I do?
If you receive a message that appears to be from SEEK, do not reply or engage with the scammer. Block the number and delete the message within the platform. You can help protect other job seekers, including friends and family, by warning them about the scam. The more people that are aware of these scams, the less effective they are.
I think I've been scammed! What do I do?
If you suspect that you've been targeted by scammers, we recommend you do the following:
Please do not respond to any emails or other contact in relation to your application for that position. The fraudulent user may contact you requesting further information to progress your application (e.g. by completing a website form). Please ignore these requests.
Remain vigilant across all online accounts for any suspicious activity, including unsolicited contact from the company in question, or relating to job openings.
If your CV, SEEK Profile or cover letter included information relating to any government identity document (e.g. driver's licence, Medicare card, passport) or you have provided such information following suspicious contact, please contact the agency that issued the identity document for advice.
If you have supplied your bank account or credit card details following suspicious contact, please contact your financial institution immediately and ask for their advice.
If you feel your identity is compromised, please contact your local police station.
For more information on scams, or to report any suspicious activity, reach out to Scamwatch.
Please contact SEEK on 1300 658 700 (Mon to Fri, 7am - 7pm AEDT) or via [email protected] if you have been in contact with anyone in relation to fraudulent activity.
We're committed to protecting your privacy and helping you keep safe online. For more hints and tips about staying safe, visit our Protect Yourself Online page.