Protecting Job Seekers: How Extra Workforce Fights Recruitment Scams

Understanding Recruitment Scams

Recruitment scams are fraudulent schemes designed to trick job seekers into revealing personal information or making financial payments under the false pretence of securing employment. As a trusted Birmingham recruitment agency, Extra Workforce is committed to safeguarding job seekers from these deceptive tactics. With scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated, it can be difficult to distinguish genuine job opportunities from fraudulent ones. That’s why we urge job seekers to stay vigilant and informed when applying for jobs.

Recent Scam Activity & How to Stay Safe

We have recently identified scams being conducted via WhatsApp, where fraudsters impersonate Extra Workforce employees. These scammers send fake job offers and attempt to extract personal information from candidates. Please note: Extra Workforce will never contact you via WhatsApp about a job unless you have given prior consent.

As a fully regulated Birmingham recruitment agency, we operate under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and are monitored by the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate. This means we adhere to strict legal and ethical standards to ensure the integrity of our recruitment process.

Our Commitments: What Extra Workforce Will Never Do

At Extra Workforce, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and compliance. We guarantee that we will never:

✔ Charge job seekers any fees for work-finding services. It is unlawful for employment agencies to do so under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.
✔ Request sensitive personal information (e.g., full name, address, date of birth, or bank account details) before you are officially registered with Extra Workforce.
✔ Use WhatsApp or text messages to collect personal details or conduct recruitment processes unless you have explicitly consented.
✔ Contact you about a job via WhatsApp unless we have received your prior consent to use that platform for communication.
✔ Misrepresent our recruitment process—we are fully transparent about how we operate and handle the data you provide us.

How to Spot & Avoid Recruitment Scams

To help protect yourself from scams, follow these best practices when searching for a job:

🔹 Verify Job Listings – Always check that the job advert appears on the official website of the recruitment agency or company. If in doubt, contact the business directly to verify its authenticity.

🔹 Check Website Links – Ensure that any job link provided directs you to a legitimate website, not a suspicious or unofficial page.

🔹 Look for Poor Spelling & Grammar – Many scams contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Also, cross-check business details with official sources like Companies House.

🔹 Confirm Trade Memberships – Check if the recruitment agency is a member of recognized trade bodies for additional credibility.

🔹 Never Share Banking Details – If you have provided your financial details to a scammer, contact your bank immediately.

🔹 Report Scams to Action Fraud – If you suspect a scam, report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).

🔹 Protect Your Personal Information – Never provide personal details such as bank account information via WhatsApp, text message, or unverified phone calls.

🔹 Do Not Pay for Job Placements – Legitimate recruitment agencies do not charge candidates for job placements. If a company asks for payment, it is likely a scam.

🔹 Verify Email Addresses & Recruiter Profiles – Ensure that recruiters contacting you have professional email addresses and are listed as employees on the agency’s official website or verified LinkedIn page.

🔹 Avoid Unverified Contacts – Do not respond to job offers from WhatsApp numbers, emails, or phone calls that are not listed on our official website.

Extra Workforce: A Recruitment Agency You Can Trust

As a leading Birmingham recruitment agency, we take pride in providing a safe and transparent job-seeking experience for all candidates. We remain committed to fighting recruitment scams and ensuring that job seekers have access to legitimate employment opportunities.

If you ever receive a suspicious job offer claiming to be from Extra Workforce, please contact us directly to verify its authenticity. We are here to support and protect job seekers every step of the way.

📞 Get in Touch with Us Today!
If you're looking for genuine job opportunities in Birmingham and beyond, trust Extra Workforce to connect you with reputable employers. Visit our website or speak to our team to learn more about how we can help you secure your next role safely and confidently.