With over 32% of South Africans struggling to find jobs (https://apo-opa.co/3XrLQfh), it is no wonder that scams targeting job seekers are becoming more common. “Cybercriminals are always evolving their tricks to match the latest trends,” asserts Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA (https://www.KnowBe4.com). “As job-searches on social media grow , so does the potential for recruitment-related fraud.”

Types of recruitment scams

There are two types of recruitment scams, although they all have the same aim: conning you into giving them money or your personal details. The first kind involves impersonation, in which fraudsters pose as legitimate recruiters and reach out to you via WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, LinkedIn or email. “They may use stolen logos and profile pictures of very attractive people to lure you into thinking they’re from an HR department or recruitment firm,” explains Collard.

Recently, there have been scams where fraudsters posed as the Department of Employment and Labour to advertise fake job opportunities. In these incidents (https://apo-opa.co/4cscWan), individuals seeking jobs were required to pay R250 upfront for supposed “background checks” at PEP stores. Similarly, job seekers from the North-West province fell victim (https://apo-opa.co/4cscWqT) to a scheme where they paid for transportation to an interview and half-day training in Centurion, only to find out that the job offers were non-existent.

The second type of scam involves fake job postings. Using legitimate job boards, scammers post fake job offers to get your personal information. “Facebook, with its broad user base, is particularly desirable for scammers,” comments Collard. “They exploit the platform’s features, like Groups and Marketplace, to post fake job listings and approach potential victims.”

When you are hunting for a job, how can you stay safe? Here are three clear indicators that the job posting or recruitment drive could be a scam.

Unsolicited offers and unprofessional communication

“Beware of unsolicited job offers, especially if you didn’t apply for them,” advises Collard. Legitimate employers follow a formal recruitment process and will not haphazardly reach out on social media.

Another red flag is unprofessional communication. Spelling errors, poor grammar, an international phone number on WhatsApp, or an email address from Gmail or Yahoo should make you take a step back.

Remote work that pays well

Another warning bell is that the job offer is “fully remote,” and offers very attractive remuneration. “Often this is a sign that it’s a scam,” cautions Collard, “as criminals know that most people want to work from home. Also, if the salary sounds astronomical for the particular position, be wary.” Rather, research what the salary range of similar positions is before you respond to tempting job offers. “It’s also better to verify the job offer is real by contacting the company directly,” she says.

Requests for payment or your info

However, the most significant warning sign is when they ask for payment for application fees, training courses, or background checks. As per the Employment Services Act, no one can charge jobseekers for employment services. “If you are asked to pay anything for your recruitment, it is a clear scam,” Collard emphasises.

Similarly, legitimate employers will not ask for your sensitive personal information, such as your ID number or bank account details, until a very advanced stage of the recruitment process. “This information is usually only requested after a job offer has been extended,” explains Collard.

To ensure your safety during your job search, it is important to take precautions. Trust your instincts and be cautious. As Collard advises, “Pay attention to warning signs such as unsolicited job offers, requests to download links, and demands for payment or personal information.” By maintaining a healthy level of scepticism and taking proactive steps to verify the legitimacy of job offers and recruiters, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams. And remember, anything that sounds or looks too good to be true, most likely isn’t.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

The number of children who have never had a routine vaccination – often referred to as “zero-dose” children – is three times higher in conflict zones (22.7%) than in the rest of the world (7.1%), Save the Children said today.  

The child rights organisation also said that the number of “zero-dose” children in African countries is twice as high as the rest of the world (18.7% compared to 6.9%).  

This new analysis of UN data comes ahead of a major global conference in Paris this week that will ask for ambitious funding for immunisations and launch a new initiative to boost vaccine manufacturing and production across Africa. 

The analysis should serve as a rallying cry to donors to ramp up funding for Gavi, the global Vaccine Alliance, said Save the Children, particularly those who have committed to spending 0.7% of national budgets on overseas development assistance. Save the Children has a partnership with Gavi, to strengthen vaccination efforts and health services to reach zero-dose children in marginalised and hard-to-reach communities.  

Every child has the right to vaccines as part of their right to health, Save the Children said. Children living in conflict zones are already at a huge health disadvantage, with displacement disrupting their access to services and contributing to spread of disease.  

When the conflict broke out in Sudan last year, 30-year-old Hadia*i, a mother of five, was forced to flee from her home in Khartoum to River Nile state, having given birth to her youngest child just two days before.  

Hadia* said: “I was scared about my children missing their immunisations, even more than the displacement itself.   

“I know that missing immunisations can make children sick, they can get polio, measles, diphtheria, and other diseases that can impact their growth or even cause death.” 

Save the Children said that with an ambitious increase in funding, Gavi will be able to invest in the strengthening of health systems and delivery of more vaccines for children, with a focus on children who are “zero-dose” and those who are under-immunised, as well as those in conflict zones or places at high risk to climate change impacts. Nearly half the countries eligible for Gavi’s funding are classified as fragile and conflict-affected states. 

Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International said: 

“Every child has the right to survive, yet a shocking number are dying from preventable diseases because they lack access to immunisations. These are often children who have already lost so much through unbearable experiences of conflict and displacement. 

“Not only is it possible to make sure that no child is left behind, it is critical. We need to see governments, the private sector and partners prioritise the lives and wellbeing of children and fully fund and support Gavi.  

“We also welcome the launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), which will boost the capacity and autonomy of African countries to produce their own vaccines. This will open the doors for so many children across the continent to be protected against preventable diseases.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security on the National Identity of Liberia, the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ECOWAS has convened a special meeting to discuss way forward in protecting the Liberia passport and ECOWAS member states. Speaking during the special visit of the ECOWAS Commission Directorate for Free Movement of Persons and Migration on Friday, June 14, 2024 held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti stressed the importance of the protection of the National identity and at the same time recognizing the challenges the process poses. Foreign Minister Nyanti thanked the Liberia Immigration Service for the meeting and pointed out steps that the Ministry under her leadership has taken to address the passport issue which is directly under the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Foreign Affairs Minister noted that these steps though a lot to be done but will endeavor to strengthen the key document of risk which is the Regular ECOWAS passport which implies citizenship. Foreign Minister Nyanti furthered that due to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stance, an inter-ministerial meeting was convened which included all stakeholders.

The National Identification Registry, the National Election Commission, Liberia Immigration Service, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health amongst others. The meeting was aimed at strategizing a way forward with a national system. An inoperable system that promotes and strengthens National security. According to the Foreign Minister a consensus was reached for the National Identification Registry to be the foundation on where the National system rests. Still in remarks, H.E Foreign Minister Beysolow Nyanti said the Liberian leader H.E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr. has embraced the actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for leading on the matter.

She highlighted that ECOWAS needs to be aware of the challenges due to territorial, legacy and constitutional issues that sometimes contradict, to have a fixed system that protects all Liberians. Foreign Minister Nyanti disclosed that the Ministry has appointed a Deputy Minister to head the bureau of passport and visas which will include both the current and new structure for visas to be centralized. This she said will alleviate visas on arrival and transition to an e-visa system as a means of collective effort to strengthen Liberia’s National security and protect Liberians in and abroad for free movement of ECOWAS citizens. Foreign Minister Nyanti said there is a need for a harmonized approach by collecting Biometric that meets international standards, and that ECOWAS support to the process is cardinal.

For her part, ECOWAS Special representative to Liberia, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah said the visit was meant to discuss the ECOWAS National identification and how they can explore and roll it out in accordance with decisions taken by member states as far back as 2014. The envoy took note of the steps that Liberia is taking. The ECOWAS Commission noted that they have had engagements with the Liberia Immigration Service Director, the National Identification Registry and they are confident that Liberia is on the right path. They acknowledge Liberia has shown commitment and the steps being taken to harmonize identity issues that impact the lives of people. The ECOWAS Ambassador named women empowerment, financial inclusion as key areas of importance in the approach. She noted that Liberia was the first Country to accept the ECOWAS passport as a travel document to all African countries.

Also speaking, the Director for Free Movement of persons and migration Hon. Albert S. Boateng said the significance of the visit was advocacy and sensitization on the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC). He said the ENBIC will replace the handwritten travel certificate. The adoption of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card was in December of 2014 by the authority of Heads of States and government, which all member states cued into and signed the supplementary act of 2012. But the deployment of the card was concluded by all member states in 2016. Concerning resource issues, a few member states deployed but up to current six member states are fully deployed, including Senegal, Guinea Bissau, followed by Ghana, Benin, Gambia and Sierra Leone. Hon. Boateng said the visit to Liberia is meant to launch the National platform.

For his part, the head of the National Identification Registry said, based on President’s Boakai pronouncement, they have instituted the Generic Application Program Interface for Ministry and Agency to have a single identity for all Liberians. he said the system is in place but due to lack of resources and the policy document has been a challenge. Also making remarks was Hon. Steve Zargo, said the ECOWAS Biometric ID Card is key for Liberia as a member state of ECOWAS. Senator Zargo said, the utilization of the card will enhance economy, security and add speed, convenience and harmonize what we do as a people and an adherence to the ECOWAS protocol as a founding member State. In conclusion, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Hon. Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the ECOWAS Special Envoy for the visit and noted that a consensus is almost being reached on the economic and social utility on the adoption of the ECOWAS National Biometric. Foreign Minister Nyanti said, this step is significant in promoting free moments, enhancing national security and facilitating trade and however expressed the government of Liberia willingness to move forward with the process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.