The promise of dream jobs draws millions to online job portals. But as job seekers in India increasingly turn to these sites, stories of exploitation, fraud, and disappointment are on the rise. Here’s a look at how job portals may not always be the safe stepping stone they appear to be.
A Hidden Minefield for Job Seekers
Job portals like Naukri, Shine, Indeed, and TimesJobs have transformed the way people in India look for employment. However, the journey that starts with hope often ends in frustration for many as scammers and unethical practices infiltrate the platforms. With reports of fake job postings, fee scams, and data leaks on the rise, it’s important to understand how these job portals can sometimes be a trap rather than a trustworthy resource.
The Common Scams
- Fake Job Offers and Application Fees: A prevalent scam on job portals is the posting of fake job offers that lure job seekers with promising positions at well-known companies. Once the job seeker applies, they’re asked to pay a “registration fee” or “interview fee.” These fees can range from a few hundred rupees to thousands, and once paid, the so-called “recruiter” vanishes. While reputed job portals warn users against these scams, there are still numerous cases of unsuspecting job seekers falling prey to such tactics.
- Data Theft and Phishing Scams: In India, cybercriminals use job portals to gather personal information from applicants, including phone numbers, addresses, and email IDs. This information is often sold on the dark web or used for phishing attacks. For instance, fake job emails from domains that look similar to well-known companies trick job seekers into sharing sensitive information. Recent statistics by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) have shown a rise in cases where data from job portals was misused for fraud, identity theft, and phishing.
- Exploitation by Paid Services: Many job portals promote premium services that claim to fast-track applications or offer resume building services for a fee. However, several users have reported that these services rarely deliver on their promises. For example, complaints on consumer forums like Mouth Shut and Trust pilot highlight cases where job seekers paid for “profile upgrades” or “priority placement,” only to find no tangible benefits.
- Fake Recruitment Agencies: Fake recruitment agencies target candidates on job portals and reach out through direct calls or messages, often promising immediate placements or work-from-home opportunities. They typically ask for advance payments for training or document processing, which they claim are refundable. However, these agencies often disappear after receiving the payment, leaving job seekers with no way to recover their money.
Legal Gaps and Lack of Regulation
While the Information Technology Act, 2000 governs online transactions, it does not cover many of the issues related to fraudulent job portals. Job portals themselves generally avoid liability by adding disclaimers and terms of use, shifting the burden of verification onto job seekers. Unlike regulated industries like banking or finance, job portals operate with minimal oversight, creating a legal gray area that fraudsters exploit.
Real-Life Experiences
Shreya Gupta, a 28-year-old software engineer from Mumbai, shared her experience of being scammed. After she applied for a position with a reputable IT company through a job portal, she received an email claiming to be from the company’s HR team, asking for a registration fee. “It was only after the payment that I realized the email address was slightly different from the official company domain,” she said. Such stories are becoming increasingly common across cities in India.
Steps to Stay Safe
- Verify Every Offer
Before paying any fees, check if the recruiter’s email and phone number match official contacts listed on the company’s website. Companies generally don’t ask for payments during hiring. - Be Skeptical of Unverified Recruiters
If contacted directly by a recruiter on a job portal, request to speak through official channels and look up the individual’s credentials on LinkedIn or the company’s website. - Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information
Only share personal details once you’re certain of a job offer’s legitimacy. Job portals typically don’t ask for sensitive information like bank details or OTPs. - Use Government-Endorsed Platforms
Platforms like the National Career Service (NCS) run by the Ministry of Labour and Employment are safer alternatives that provide legitimate job listings without hidden fees.
Enhancing Transparency
Job portals have the responsibility to protect users by improving security measures, setting up reporting mechanisms, and screening job postings more rigorously. Some portals have started implementing AI tools to filter out fake listings, but more work is needed. Public awareness campaigns by both job portals and the government can help curb this rising issue.
Job seekers in India deserve a trustworthy space to find employment opportunities. While job portals offer convenience, users must exercise caution and be well-informed. It’s time for the government and companies to join hands and create a safer online job-seeking environment. #hydkhabar
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