Recruitment fraud involves offering fake job opportunities to obtain personal information or money. This scam is often carried out through unsolicited emails, online recruitment services (including legitimate platforms like LinkedIn), bogus websites and text messages claiming to be from The Standard or its subsidiaries. Victims are asked for personal details and payments for processing false applications. Fraudsters may also direct victims to use their own funds to order equipment from a fake vendor, often using apps such as Zelle. They will send a fake check as reimbursement — your bank may make these funds available to you within a few days, but will ultimately remove the funds from your account once the check is realized to be fraudulent.
The Standard and its subsidiaries have become aware of false claims by various individuals and organizations purporting to recruit on our behalf. We take recruitment fraud with utmost seriousness and provide this information to assist you in identifying and reporting such fraudulent activities. One known fraudulent website is standardcareers.com.
Do not respond to unsolicited job offers claiming affiliation with The Standard or its brands. We only request personal information after you apply on our careers site. Only applicants who complete the official application can be hired. We will not ask you to purchase your own equipment.
Recognizing Recruitment Fraud
Fraudsters typically request individuals to fill out counterfeit recruitment documents, which may include job applications, bank statements and visa or work permit forms.
Look for these key warning signs:
- Requests for personal information, like passport, credit card or banking details.
- Requests to contact your connections (e.g., lawyers, bank officials, agencies).
- Payment of fees to process or assist with a job application.
- Receipt of a check to reimburse equipment purchases.
- Offers to pay part of a fee if the candidate pays the rest.
- Urgent requests for immediate action.
Actions to Take
Do:
- Keep messages from the perpetrator for potential investigation. Retain the original subject line, complete headers and full message content.
- Send an email to informationsecurity@standard.com with the subject "Recruitment Fraud," including all relevant evidence such as job posting details and email exchanges.
- Consider contacting local law enforcement or legal authorities.
Do Not:
- Respond to unsolicited business propositions or employment offers from unknown individuals.
- Send any money. Our organization does not request money transfers or payments from applicants for securing an application, interview or job, or purchasing equipment, whether as an employee or contractor.
- Deposit any checks you receive during the recruitment process. We do not send checks to applicants to order their own equipment.
- Engage in further communication or disclose personal or financial information if you suspect the communication may be fraudulent.
The Standard will never ask you to submit your personal information unless you have first applied to a position on our careers site.
Our organizations bear no responsibility for fraudulent offers. When in doubt, please reach out to informationsecurity@standard.com, using the subject "Recruitment Fraud."