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Scam alert! Jet stores job ads on Facebook are fake

A Facebook page is offering jobs at Jet stores, a division of giant South African retailer Edcon.

The advert posted on the page “EBlog Network” on 2 July 2019 says Jet is looking for cashiers, packers and cleaners, cellphone merchants and department managers.

And it seems suspiciously similar to other fake job ads posted on the Facebook page “Jobs learnership and bursary” and exposed by Africa Check.

As with the other fake adverts, the Jet stores ad tells applicants to comment “Help” for them to be sent the full details of the jobs via inbox.

It says the closing date for applications is “Not Specific”, even though the accompanying graphic puts the closing date as 15 July 2019. And the link provided goes, suspiciously, to a blog that is not related to either Edcon or Jet.

The ad also appears on the Facebook page “Local Classifieds”.



‘Jet does not advertise vacancies on social media’


Africa Check contacted Edcon about the ad.

“Jet has not advertised the vacancies. Jet does not advertise vacancies on Facebook or through any other social media platform,” Edcon communications advisor Michael Rubenstein told us in an official response. 

“Roles are advertised internally on the Edcon intranet and on instore noticeboards and externally on LinkedIn. Each advert has a unique reference number including the hiring manager’s contact details and all interviews will only take place at Jet and Edgars Active stores and Edcon Regional Offices.”

How to identify fake job ads


There are a number of ways to spot fake job ads online.

Red flags include the link provided not going to the company’s website or recruitment agency, grammar and spelling errors in the ad, and the ad asking you to pay a fee to get an  interview.

Other suspicious signs to look for include the email address or contact details being unrelated to the actual company, and being asked to go for an interview at a place that isn’t the company’s offices.

Recent fake job ads in South Africa ask willing job-seekers comment “Help” and share the advert on Facebook. Another sign is an ad saying no skills or experience are required. – Dancan Bwire




 

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