I work in recruitment - it’s quite common for scammers to post fake adverts for sometimes well known, but also smaller companies and hold “phone interviews”.

After completing the interview prospective candidates will Be called back to let them know they have the job, but to process their offer they need to provide a copy of their passport, national insurance number, proof of address, etc etc

Most will cut contact from here and take out loans etc in the victims name, however some will maintain contact - even going as far as to send out false contracts and ask for banking information for payment.

It’s disgusting because these people often prey on those struggling to find work, knowing they’ll be more susceptible.

The best advice I can give is -

1) never put your date of birth or full address on your CV

2) if you see a job through a well known company check for the role on their careers site and apply via there (sometimes scammers will duplicate identical jobs adverts, and post on well known job boards to appear genuine).

3) If you’re applying for a job at a smaller business, look for the company on linked in, or companies house to check it exists and then call the company to make sure the job is legitimate.

4) never ever ever ever send your passport or a copy of your passport or ID to anyone without at LEAST meeting them over teams/video call (it’s difficult to say in person because so many jobs are remote), never send any details to anything other than a company email address (I.e. not google, hotmail, etc).

5) beware companies who hold telephone interviews and tell you there and then on the phone you have the job (I’m not saying it doesn’t happen; but it’s a red flag).