While the country’s unemployment rate continues to surge, scammers are becoming more daring in targeting desperate job seekers.
Management at Groote Schuur Hospital has cautioned job seekers to refrain from applying for jobs from unverified websites.
Alaric Jacobs, Communications Officer for the hospital, says since December last year, they’ve had at least five people coming to the hospital, reporting for a position that they have applied for via an online advertisement.
He says what’s even more concerning is that victims are requested to pay a fee to these scammers.
Jacobs says: “The scammers are targeting jobs for cleaners and porters. The scammers made contact with them and then request they pay between R2 000 and R3 000 for the medical test or uniform. This is only the ones we know about, what about those who did not come to us after paying?”
He says victims are scammed out of money they cannot afford to lose.
“Recently we had a person come in who paid R2 000 for a cleaning job and we had to inform the person that it was a scam.”
Jacobs says when applying for a job at the hospital there are no fees involved.
“We will never ask anyone to pay a cent. We do advertising by using two platforms only namely the online Western Cape Government website or via the media – in the advertisements in the media there is always a link that will lead you to the online advertisement. At all times the telephone number and email address would be part of the advertisement. Most times it will be a landline telephone number if there are any enquiries.”
Jacobs says all the recruitment guidelines are available on the online forms.
He mentions notable signs job seekers should look out for.
“If it is a cellphone number and you are asked to WhatsApp that is also a clear sign that something is wrong with the application process.”
Jacobs advises people to alert the authorities.
“The hospital is not being scammed and we cannot make a case against the scammers. We suggest that a case be made with the police straight away so that they can do their best to catch the scammers.”
- If you have been a victim send an email to
Kaylynne.Bantom@media24.com
