Fake jobs

Fraudsters can offer fake jobs to help them commit a number of scams. 

But if you know what to look out for and what to do, you can protect your money.

One of the biggest fake job scams is to get people to use their own bank account to move stolen money. 

This is known as ‘money muling’ or ‘money laundering’. It’s a serious crime. Often it can target students or those with money problems.

Fake jobs scam image

Tips to fake job scams

  • If you're asked to use your own bank account to move money, turn it down. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing is wrong, you could be prosecuted. 

    Fraudsters use fake jobs and get rich quick schemes to find ‘money mules’.

    A real job would never ask you to use your bank account to move money. Or to use an account in another person’s name.

    Any job that pays you to take money into your account then move it to another account is a scam.

    And there’s no legal reason that a job would need to know your user ID or password. So keep your Online Banking details safe.

  • Tell your family know about ‘money muling’ as it can help them to avoid it.

    Ask them about their job to make sure they don’t fall for a scam like this.

  • Take Five

    You can get straight forward, impartial advice on how to avoid scams from Take Five.

    Action Fraud

    You can report a crime or get general advice from Action Fraud. They help banks and other companies combat fraud.

    Get Safe Online

    They offer advice on how to keep yourself and your devices safe from fraud.

    UK Finance

    UK Finance is there to support customers and to help make sure it's safe to bank.

    Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)

    The PRA is part of the Bank of England. Their role is to make sure banks act safely and reduce the chance of them losing money.

    Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

    The FCA is there to make sure banks work well so customers are protected and get a fair deal.

    CIFAS

    CIFAS can help to protect your identity. They can stop fraudsters from using your details to apply for things in your name.

    Cyber Aware

    This is a government site that gives advice on how to stay safe online.

    ScamSmart

    This is part of the FCA site. You can use it to check on an investment or pension deals to help you avoid scams.

    Halifax does not control the content of any of the websites linked to on this page.

Think you’ve fallen for a scam?

Think you’ve fallen for a scam?

You should contact us right away if you think you’ve been scammed. We can then guide you on what to do next.

Contact us now

Next topic

Next topic

Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 169628.