Over the past year, we’ve seen a troubling rise in job scams targeting creative professionals that are happening through text and email. These scams are becoming more sophisticated, harder to detect, and sadly, more common.
We want to break down not only how these scams operate, but also why they’re happening, and what we can all do to protect ourselves and our communities.
Why Are Recruiting Scams on the Rise?
Several converging trends have made this the perfect storm for scammers:
- Remote Work Has Changed the Hiring Landscape
With remote work now the norm for many creative roles, recruiters and companies are legitimately hiring across states, countries, and time zones. That makes it easier for scammers to blend in; they can claim to be hiring “remotely,” and it doesn’t seem suspicious.
- Job Seekers Are More Accessible Online
Job seekers are everywhere: LinkedIn, job boards, and creative portfolio sites. Scammers can easily find names, contact info, and professional details to craft convincing messages.
- AI Tools Are Helping Scammers Sound More Convincing
Scammers use AI to write more professional-sounding emails and texts. Poor grammar and broken English aren’t always a red flag anymore. In some cases, these messages look authentic.
- High Job Market Competition Fuels Desperation
With layoffs in tech, marketing, and design, there’s a growing number of highly qualified candidates urgently looking for work. Scammers exploit that urgency, knowing people may overlook red flags when the offer sounds perfect.
- Impersonation Is Easier Than Ever
It’s incredibly easy to copy a recruiter’s name from LinkedIn, create a fake Gmail address, and start messaging candidates. Scammers often impersonate real recruiters, sometimes even using their profile photos and job titles to look legitimate.
What These Scams Look Like
Here’s how these scams typically play out:
- You get a text or email out of the blue offering a remote position with great pay.
- The sender may claim to work for a real company or recruiting agency, sometimes even using the name of a legitimate recruiter.
- You’re asked to move the conversation to Telegram, WhatsApp, or email outside any official platform.
- There’s no real interview. Just a “quick assessment” or onboarding paperwork.
- Then comes the ask: bank details, Social Security number, or even a request to buy equipment or send money for a “setup fee.”
How Job Seekers Can Stay Safe (and Help Others Stay Safe, Too)
- Pause and verify before engaging with anyone who contacts you out of the blue.
- Check email domains real recruiters don’t use Gmail or Outlook for official hiring communications.
- Look them up on LinkedIn, and cross-check their company website.
- Never share personal info or financial details early in the process.
- Report and block any suspicious messages, especially if they impersonate someone you know.
These scams aren’t just frustrating; they’re damaging. They take advantage of people who are already navigating uncertainty, and they undermine trust in a process that should feel hopeful and transparent.
By understanding why these scams are happening, we can better recognize them and help others avoid becoming victims. The more informed we all are, the harder it becomes for these tactics to succeed.
If you ever get a message claiming to be from smartdept., and it feels off, trust your gut and reach out to us directly on our verified LinkedIn or company email. We’re always happy to confirm and keep our community safe.
Let’s continue building a hiring culture that’s rooted in trust, clarity, and care for creatives, and everyone else, too. Contact us today.