Hiring season scams surge as fake recruiters exploit trusted brand names, according to Bitdefender

A new wave of recruitment scams is circulating as the early-year hiring season begins, with cybercriminals targeting job seekers by impersonating well-known employers and staffing agencies. Bitdefender’s Antispam Lab latest data shows a clear spike in fraudulent emails designed to appear as legitimate job outreach, often promising fast interviews, flexible roles, and minimal application effort.

These messages are timed to coincide with a period when many people expect to hear back from employers, making them more likely to lower their guard. Victims are frequently told that their résumés have already been reviewed and approved, even when no application was submitted. In some cases, the emails reference established job platforms to add credibility. In others, they arrive entirely out of the blue, relying on surprise and optimism to prompt a response.

The language used is deliberately positive and reassuring. Recipients are often described as an “excellent fit” and encouraged to confirm an interview, secure a slot, or continue the hiring process immediately. The aim is to create a sense of momentum before the recipient has time to question the legitimacy of the approach or verify the sender.

Impersonation tactics and the global scale of recruitment scams

Security researchers have identified a consistent pattern in how these scams are structured. Attackers typically impersonate large, familiar organisations that already enjoy a high level of public trust. Common targets include global retailers, logistics firms, and even public healthcare institutions. By using recognised names, scammers reduce suspicion and make the message feel routine rather than risky.

Another defining feature of these campaigns is their international reach. Identical scam templates are deployed across multiple regions, with messages appearing in several languages including English, Spanish, Italian, and French. The content is often adapted to the recipient’s location, with people in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain among the most frequently targeted. Despite these language changes, the structure and flow of the messages remain almost identical.

Typically, the emails promise immediate approval, involve little or no interview process, and push recipients towards simple calls to action such as “Confirm Interview”, “Continue”, or “Secure My Spot”. Many also encourage a rapid move away from email to messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Microsoft Teams. This shift is deliberate, as it places the conversation in an environment where oversight is limited and manipulation is easier.

While some scam emails are formal and text-heavy, designed to mimic official human resources communication, others are visually polished with logos, buttons, and minimal copy. Both approaches serve the same purpose. They aim to rush job seekers into engaging quickly, relying on trust, urgency, and the fear of missing out on a desirable opportunity.

Consequences for victims and steps to stay protected

Once a recipient clicks a link or responds to a message, the situation can escalate quickly. In text-based recruitment scams, victims are often instructed to download a messaging app and contact a designated “HR manager”. The conversation then becomes more personal, with requests for additional information framed as part of onboarding. This may include CVs, identity documents, or contact details, which can later be misused for identity theft or other forms of fraud.

In other cases, the scam relies on one-click confirmation. These emails are intentionally light on detail and heavy on visual cues, featuring prominent buttons that promise speed and convenience. Clicking through may lead to a fake login page designed to harvest email credentials or other account information. Some links redirect to malicious content, while others are used to introduce advance-fee fraud, where victims are asked to pay for training, equipment, or processing costs as part of the supposed hiring process.

Despite differences in presentation, the underlying psychological triggers are the same. The scams exploit trust in familiar brands, apply time pressure, and play on anxiety around missing a good job opportunity. The consequences can be serious, ranging from financial loss and compromised accounts to malware infections.

Job seekers are advised to remain cautious, particularly when contacted without a prior application or when approval is granted unusually quickly. Legitimate employers do not avoid live interviews, rely on generic email addresses, or push candidates to move conversations to messaging apps at an early stage. Suspicious links that do not match a company’s official domain should also be treated as a warning sign.

During busy hiring periods, verifying roles directly through official company careers pages remains one of the most effective safeguards. Avoiding unsolicited links, checking URLs carefully, and pausing before responding can significantly reduce risk. If interaction has already occurred, changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and monitoring accounts for unusual activity are essential next steps.