Asked to pay for a job? How to spot a fake job offer

You see a job advert on Facebook or WhatsApp. The pay looks good and the work looks easy. Then someone asks you to pay a small amount first. This is one of the most common job scams in South Africa. This post explains how to tell, and what to do.

Should you ever pay to get a job?

No. The Department of Employment and Labour says that if you are asked to pay anything for recruitment, the offer is likely a scam. Under the Employment Services Act, nobody may charge a work seeker a fee for employment services. The department says its own job services are free.

The fee may be called something else: a registration fee, a uniform, a training course, a police clearance, a medical check or a background check. The name does not matter. If you must pay before you start work, stop.

What does a fake job offer look like?

Look for these signs:

• You are asked for money, even a small amount such as R 250. The department has reported a scam that asked for a "refundable" R 250 for a background check.
• The advert uses the logo of a government department or a big company, but the contact is a personal WhatsApp number or a free email address.
• You are hired without an interview, or the interview happens only in text messages.
• The pay is very high for easy work.
• You are told to act today or lose the job.
• You are asked to pay by airtime, a voucher, EFT to a person, or a cash deposit at a store. Real employers do not ask for this.

Can a government job advert be fake?

Yes. In February 2026 the department warned that scammers were copying its name and logo in fake adverts. It says its vacancies are published free of charge on its website, labour.gov.za, and on other government platforms. If you see an advert on social media, look for the same job on the official website. If it is not there, do not pay and do not send your documents.

What should you do before you send anything?

1. Search for the company name. Find its own website and phone number yourself. Do not use the number in the advert.
2. Call that number and ask if the job is real.
3. Do not send a copy of your ID, bank card, PIN or one-time password (OTP). A real employer may ask for your ID after you are hired. Nobody needs your PIN or OTP.
4. Ask for the offer in writing, with the company name and address.
5. Tell a family member or friend. Scammers want you to decide alone and fast.

What if you already paid?

You did nothing wrong. These scams are made to look real, and many people have been caught. Do these things:

• Stop paying. A second payment to "fix" the first one is part of the scam.
• Keep all messages, receipts and phone numbers.
• Call your bank at once if you paid by card or EFT. Ask if the payment can be stopped.
• Open a case at your nearest police station.
• If the advert used the name of a government department, tell that department. Look for contact details on its official website.
• If you shared your ID, watch your bank and cell phone accounts, and tell your bank.

For more signs of a fake offer, read Red flags of a fake earning app. If you are short of money and a stranger offers help, read How to check if a money lender is registered.

Where can you look for real work?

Look for jobs on the official government website, at your local labour centre, and on the websites of companies you can check. All of these are free to use. Mocash is a different thing. It lets you do surveys and offers and withdraw rewards. Earning from an app is small, slow and not guaranteed, and it is not a replacement for a job or income.

This post is general information. Rules and contact details can change, so check the official website of the department or company.