How to Verify a Recruiter Is Legitimate

How to verify a recruiter is legitimate

Check their LinkedIn: A real recruiter has a work history, posts about recruiting, connections in the industry, and endorsements from colleagues. A fake profile has few connections, no posts, and a stock photo.

Check their company: Search the recruiting agency or company on Glassdoor, Google, and the Better Business Bureau. Real agencies have reviews, a website with team bios, and a physical address.

Ask for a video call: A legitimate recruiter will happily get on camera. If they refuse or only want to communicate via text and email, that's a red flag.

Ask for the client company name: Contingent recruiters may not share this upfront, but they should be willing to describe the company in enough detail that you can verify it exists. If they refuse to share anything, walk away.

Never pay a recruiter: Recruiters are paid by the hiring company, never by the candidate. If anyone asks you to pay a fee, buy equipment, or purchase training materials, it is a scam. No exceptions.

Where to Report Recruiting Fraud

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Report job scams and identity theft. The FTC tracks fraud patterns and takes enforcement action against repeat offenders.

reportfraud.ftc.gov →

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

For internet-based fraud including phishing, identity theft, and employment scams that involve financial loss.

ic3.gov →

LinkedIn Fraud Reporting

Report fake job postings, fake recruiter profiles, and phishing messages directly to LinkedIn for investigation and removal.

LinkedIn Help Center →

Indeed Fraud Reporting

Flag suspicious job listings on Indeed. Their trust and safety team reviews reports and removes confirmed fraudulent postings.

indeed.com/trust-and-safety →

FAQ

Common questions

How can I tell if a recruiter on LinkedIn is fake?

Check for history: real recruiters have years of activity, industry connections, and endorsements. A recent account with few connections, no posts, and a stock photo is the standard scam profile.

Is it normal for a recruiter to hide the client company?

Contingent recruiters sometimes hold the name early, but they should describe the company specifically enough for you to verify it exists. Refusing to share anything is a walk-away signal.

Should I ever pay a recruiter a fee?

No. Recruiters are paid by employers. A candidate-side fee, equipment purchase, or training charge is always a scam.

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