Beware of Recruitment Scams

We’ve been made aware of a growing number of scams where individuals are impersonating our recruiters to target unsuspecting job seekers. These fraudulent messages seem to be appearing predominantly on WhatsApp. However, it may not only be limited to this app. We are currently unsure of the purpose of these attacks, but it is widely believed within the industry that they are intended to collect personal information.

At Xcede, we take privacy and GDPR compliance very seriously. We are committed to maintaining your trust and ensuring a secure recruitment experience. It's important to note:

• While our recruiters do use WhatsApp for candidate communication, they will not do so initially or without your permission.

How to identify a scam

To safeguard yourself from falling victim to these scams, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Recruiter is not on our website: If the person contacting you does not have a profile on our ‘Meet the Team’ page, please contact us to confirm their association with us.
2. Unrealistic promises: If the job offer seems too good to be true, think about high salaries with minimal effort. It probably is.
3. Unsolicited messages: Be cautious if you receive a job offer without prior contact or from an unknown number.
4. Vague information: Scammers often fail to provide specific details about the job or the company. Verify company credentials before engaging.
5. Requests for sensitive data: Legitimate recruiters will never ask for personal details like bank accounts or IDs upfront.
6. Unprofessional communication: Look out for poor grammar, unprofessional language, or an email address that doesn’t match our official company domain, which all end in either @xcede.com, @xcede.de, or @xcedegroup.com.
7. Fake websites: Verify the company’s website and cross-check details. Be cautious of websites that seem incomplete or poorly designed.
8. Urgency or pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push you into quick decisions. Take your time to validate the offer.
9. Money requests: Legitimate recruiters will never ask for fees to process applications or secure job placements.
10. No interviews: A legitimate hiring process will usually involve at least one face-to-face or video interview.
11. Gut feeling: If it doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.

What to do if you’re unsure

If you suspect you’ve received a fraudulent message or job offer claiming to be from Xcede, do not engage. Instead please contact us at info@xcede.com.