Spotting Fake Job Offers: How Candidates Can Protect Themselves in the Age of AI

The New Reality for Job Seekers

Fake job ads, impersonated recruiters, and AI-generated messages are becoming more common in Canada and harder to recognize. While technology has made job searching faster and more accessible, it has also created new risks for job seekers. Today’s scammers use everything from WhatsApp messages to AI chatbots and cloned recruiter profiles to appear legitimate.

This trend is rising fast: Canadians have already lost an estimated $49 million to job scams, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

And it’s not limited to job seekers. 57% of Canadian hiring managers say they are aware of job-posting scams, and 11% say they themselves have fallen for one, showing just how convincing these fake offers can be.

With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially through messaging apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram, candidates in Canada need to stay alert. This blog will help you recognize common red flags, verify real opportunities, and protect yourself throughout your job search.

Why Fake Job Offers Are Increasing

Scammers have become more active because they know:

• Many people are job searching
• Recruiters often reach out first
• Remote work makes verification harder
• Candidates are eager to respond quickly
• AI tools make impersonation extremely easy

AI now allows fraudsters to:

• Create fake recruiter profiles
• Clone voices and generate realistic messages
• Copy real job postings and repost them elsewhere
• Mass-message thousands of Canadians instantly
• Build believable backstories, websites, or work histories

This means job seekers must take steps to verify opportunities; even when a message looks real.

How to Spot a Fake Job or Fake Recruiter

Below are the most common red flags seen across Canada:

1. The first outreach comes through WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram

Legitimate recruiters do not make first contact through social messaging apps. This is the #1 sign of a scam.

2. The job sounds “too good to be true”

Examples include:

• Unusually high pay
• No experience required
• “Set your own hours”
• Instant job offers

3. They ask for personal information early

Real employers only request the following at the time of offer:

• SIN
• Banking information
• ID photos
• Passport scans

4. The communication is pushy or urgent

Scammers try to pressure you, so you don’t have time to think.

5. You can’t verify the email address or the recruiter

Be cautious of:

• Gmail/Hotmail/Yahoo addresses
• Misspelled company domains
• Recruiters with empty LinkedIn profiles

6. They refuse a phone call or video call

Scammers avoid real-time conversations because it exposes them.

7. The job isn’t posted on the company’s official website

Always check the careers page or if the recruiter says they’re from Agilus check agilus.ca/jobs to confirm the role exists.

General Safety Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

No matter which recruiting firm or employer you work with, these universal best practices will help you avoid job scams:

1. Research the employer

Look for:

• A real website
• A LinkedIn presence
• Company reviews
• News or press releases

A company with no online presence is a major red flag.

2. Expect a real hiring process

Authentic employers conduct:

• Screening calls
• Interviews
• Reference checks
• Skills assessments (when relevant)
• Formal offer letters

Instant offers without conversation are suspicious.

3. Ask for a written job description

It should include:

• Job title
• Hours
• Pay
• Responsibilities
• Work location
• Reporting structure

Scammers avoid detail because it exposes them.

4. Verify the recruiter’s identity

A genuine recruiter will never mind if you:

• Look them up on LinkedIn
• Call the company to confirm they work there
• Check the email domain

5. Never pay for a job (and know your rights in Canada)

In Canada, it is illegal for recruiters or staffing agencies to charge job seekers any fees for job placement or for being introduced or submitted to an employer. This includes fees for registration, priority access to jobs, or being added to a candidate database.

A legitimate recruiter will not charge you for:

• Job placement or submission to an employer
• Registration or application fees
• Training fees tied to getting a job
• Testing or assessments required for job placement
• “Onboarding fees”
• Office equipment including laptops and smart phones – Real companies supply equipment or reimburse through official channels.

Note: Employers may require specific certifications (e.g., WHMIS, First Aid) or workplace PPE (like steel-toed boots), and candidates may choose to purchase these independently. However, these are not job-placement fees.

If someone asks you to pay money to secure a job, to be sent to an employer, or to stay on a recruiter’s list, it is a scam.

7. Pay attention to inconsistent language or grammar

Many scam messages are written quickly, copied from other sources, or generated by AI tools.

8. Protect your personal documents and identity

Only provide sensitive and personal information after receiving a written, confirmed offer.

9. Trust your instincts

What to Do If You’ve Been Contacted by a Fake Recruiter

What to Do If You’ve Been Contacted by a Fake Recruiter

If you suspect a scam:

• Stop responding
• Do not send documents
• Screenshot the messages
• Block the number or account
• Report it to the platform
• Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Please note: the CAFC does not accept fraud reports by email. You must use their online reporting tool (https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) or call their toll-free line at 1-888-495-8501.

Working With Agilus: How to Verify It’s Really Us

When working specifically with Agilus or our affiliated brands (MaxSys Personnel, MaxSys Staffing, MWCO), here’s how to confirm a recruiter is legitimate:

1. How Agilus Makes First Contact – We reach out first via:

• Email (from @agilus.ca, @maxsys.ca, or @mwco.ca)
• LinkedIn, Indeed or Jobillico
• Phone

We do not make initial contact via WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram.

When Text or WhatsApp May Be Used – Only after you agree, and after an email or phone call has already happened.

Your Information Is Secure – Our database is safe and uncompromised.
Scammers copy public profiles; they do not access our systems. Read our Privacy Policy here.

When in Doubt – You can always verify by:

• Calling your local Agilus office
• Searching the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile
• Forwarding suspicious messages to info@agilus.ca

Final Thought: You Deserve a Safe Job Search

Job searching can already be stressful. Worrying about scams shouldn’t make it harder. With awareness, caution, and the right verification steps, you can protect yourself, avoid fraudulent offers, and confidently pursue real opportunities.

Agilus is here to support job seekers with real recruiters, real jobs, and secure communication practices. When something feels off, just ask. We’re always happy to help.

Agilus Work Solutions

For nearly 50 years, Agilus has served our candidate and employer networks, connecting job seekers with meaningful opportunities. We place nearly 10,000 job seekers in roles every year in Engineering, Technology, Professional/Office, and Light Industrial roles. Check out our open roles on our job board, create a job alert or build a profile so one of our 80+ recruitment professionals can find you quickly when a role becomes available.

Please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X for job-seeking tips and new roles. 

FAQs for Job Seekers

Q1: How common are fake job offers in Canada?

A: Fake job postings are more common than ever. Canadians lost an estimated $49 million to job scams last year, and 57% of hiring managers say they’ve seen fake job postings, proving that these scams are widespread and increasingly sophisticated.

Q2: How can I tell if a recruiter message is fake?

A: Watch for first contact through WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram. Real recruiters typically reach out by email or phone first. Suspicious messages often include urgent language, unrealistic job descriptions, or requests for personal information.

Q3: Is it normal for a recruiter to ask for my SIN or ID?

Yes, but never early in the process. You should only provide your SIN (Social Insurance Number) or ID after receiving a formal, written offer and verifying the employer. Scammers ask for this information up front to commit identity fraud.

Q4: What should I do if I receive a job offer without an interview?

That’s a major red flag. Legitimate employers follow a structured process that includes screenings and interviews. “Instant offers” are common in scams and should be avoided unless you can verify the employer independently.

Q5: Is it legal for recruiters to charge job seekers in Canada?

No. In Canada, it is illegal for recruiters and staffing agencies to charge job seekers for job placement, introductions to employers, or registration fees. If someone asks for money to secure a job, it is a scam.

Q6: Are equipment purchases like PPE a red flag?

Not necessarily. Some employers require PPE (like steel-toed boots) for safety and this is normal. What’s not normal is being told to pay the employer or recruiter directly for equipment or training as a condition of placement.

Q7: How can I verify that a job posting is legitimate?

Search for the role on the employer’s official website or reputable job boards. Check the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile, look up the company, and never rely solely on screenshots or PDFs. When in doubt, call the employer directly.

Q8: What should I do if I think I’ve been contacted by a fake recruiter?

Stop responding immediately and do not send any documents. Take screenshots of the conversation and block the number or account.

If you suspect someone is impersonating Agilus, verify by calling 1-855-622-1500 or forward the message to info@agilus.ca for confirmation.

If the scam does not involve Agilus, report it directly to the platform or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Please note: the CAFC does not accept fraud reports by email. You must use their online reporting tool (https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca) or call their toll-free line at 1-888-495-8501.