Johannesburg – Standard Bank has warned the public about the increasing prevalence of fake job advertisements.
“As the social and economic pressures to find employment intensify, fraudsters are exploiting these vulnerabilities to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting job seekers,” the bank warned..
In a statement on Friday, (2 May 2025), Standard Bank said it understands the immense pressure that individuals face in securing employment.
“Unfortunately, fraudsters are intensifying their efforts, using this societal pressure point to deceive and defraud job seekers,” the bank said.
“These scammers post fake job advertisements, often promising high salaries with minimal effort, but their true intent is to steal your information or money.”
Scammers frequently list hiring ads on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, pretending to offer legitimate job opportunities.
These ads often promise high salaries for little work and upfront payments or commissions, which should be a red flag for job seekers.
To protect yourself from falling victim to these scams, Standard Bank offers the following tips:
• Cross-check the details of the hiring company: Always contact the hiring company through official channels to verify the legitimacy of the job offer.
• Legitimate hiring companies will never demand upfront payments: Be wary of any job offer that requires you to make an upfront payment for training, equipment, or other fees.
• Do not disclose sensitive information: Never share personal information such as identity numbers, bank details, or one-time passwords (OTPs) over the phone or online.
• Be cautious of work-from-home jobs promising high pay: Jobs that promise substantial earnings for minimal effort are often too good to be true.
Standard Bank said it is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of its customers.
If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scam, please contact the Standard Bank fraud hotline or call centre immediately.
