JOBS & RECRUITMENT
KIWISCAN • NZ SCAM CHECKER

Job scams: verify the employer first.

Job scams usually try to do one of three things:
• collect your personal details (ID, bank info, IRD number)
• get you to pay fees (training, equipment, background checks)
• trick you into moving money or forwarding parcels (money mule)

Check a message now See red flags What to do next

Common job scam patterns

Scammers copy real company names and create fake “recruiters”.

Text/WhatsApp “recruiter”

Random message offers flexible work and high pay. They move you to WhatsApp/Telegram quickly and avoid official email domains.

Legit recruiters don’t recruit via random SMS with urgency.

Pay-first “fees”

They claim you must pay for training, equipment, onboarding, police check, or courier delivery of a “work laptop”.

Paying to get a job is a major red flag.

Money mule tasks

“Payment processing”, “agent role”, “receive and forward funds”, or “buy gift cards for clients”. This can involve criminal risk.

Never move money for someone you haven’t verified.

Where these scams usually show up

The platform may look legit — it’s the contact and process that give it away.

Job boards + social posts

  • Fake listings copied from real employers
  • “Work from home” roles with unusually high pay
  • Application links to a suspicious domain or form
  • Immediate acceptance without a real interview

Email / SMS / DMs

  • Generic greetings (“Dear candidate”)
  • Sender domain doesn’t match the company
  • They ask for ID/bank details early
  • They request urgency, secrecy, or fees

Job scam red flags

If you see any of these, pause immediately.

They want personal info early

  • Passport/driver licence photos
  • Bank account details for “payroll” before an offer
  • IRD number or MyIR login prompts
  • They ask for verification codes

They ask you to pay

  • Training/equipment/background check fees
  • “Courier cost” for a laptop or uniform
  • Gift cards or crypto payments
  • Overpayment then “refund the difference”

The process is unrealistic

  • Hired instantly, no proper interview
  • High pay for simple tasks
  • Vague job description and shifting details
  • They rush you to “start today”

Suspicious links

  • Login forms sent by SMS/DM
  • Shortlinks or odd domains
  • “Download this app to interview”
  • Attachments asking you to enable macros

What to do next

Simple steps that protect you without overthinking it.

Step 01

Verify the employer

Find the company website yourself and check the email domain matches. Call the official company number and ask if the recruiter is real.

Never rely on links they provide as “proof”.
Step 02

Don’t pay or share ID

Don’t send money, gift cards, or crypto. Don’t send ID photos or bank details until you’ve confirmed the employer and have a legitimate written offer.

Payroll info should come late — after verification.
Step 03

If you sent details

Change passwords, enable 2FA, and contact your bank if you shared banking info. Save screenshots and report the scam.

Use the safety shortcuts below for step-by-step actions.
FAST SAFETY SHORTCUTS

Need immediate steps?

If you clicked a link, paid money, or shared details — these pages walk you through what to do next.

I clicked a link I paid money I shared details

Job scams FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

Can scammers impersonate real NZ companies?

Yes. They copy branding and use lookalike email domains. Always verify using an official website you type yourself.

What does KiwiScan treat as HIGH risk for job messages?

Any hard indicator: a link/shortlink, a phone/WhatsApp handle, a payment request, a login/OTP request, install/download/remote-access prompts, or crypto wallet/transfer instructions.

What is a “money mule” job scam?

A fake job asks you to receive funds and forward them, or buy gift cards/crypto. This can expose you to serious legal risk.

Got a suspicious job offer message?

Paste it into KiwiScan and verify before you apply or pay anything.

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