Questioning whether a job is real has become a routine part of job searches for workers seeking new roles amid a global surge in employment scams, according to research from professional networking platform LinkedIn.

The survey found that nearly three-quarters of professionals, 72%, say they stop to think about the legitimacy of a role at least sometimes before applying, while 29% always do.

LinkedIn surveyed more than 8,500 professionals in the US, UK, India, Germany and Brazil between March 16 and March 30.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, employment scams are surging in the US, with data showing financial losses linked to job offers amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Global Anti-Scam Alliance research also found that 70% of adults worldwide encounter scams each year, with 13% experiencing them daily.

Meanwhile, 57% of professionals say they are more likely to question whether a job is a scam than they were a year ago, compared with just 11% who say they are less likely to do so, LinkedIn noted in the report. This is also affecting recruiters, with 49% saying that job seekers have contacted them to check if a role is genuine, it added.

“People are essentially looking for ‘proof of life’ before they apply,” LinkedIn stated. “The biggest trust signal is the company’s own reputation (29%), but the environment where they find the job is a close second (28%),” it added.

“They’re looking for detail, clarity and signals tied to the person posting the job, such as whether the recruiter looks real or has a verified badge.”

However, the survey found that younger professionals are encountering job scams more often than other generations and are more likely to report falling for one, with 32% of Gen Z admitting they have been victims compared with 17% of Gen X.

“The real danger zone is caused by the combination of lack of awareness and pressure,” LinkedIn said. “While older generations are often better at spotting red flags, Gen Z is facing a much harsher reality. In a crowded and competitive job market, many feel they can’t afford to be skeptical,” it added.

The study found that nearly a third of Gen Z, 32%, admitted to ignoring warning signs because they feel opportunities are so scarce. This compares with 21% of Gen X and 8% of baby boomers.

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