Recruiting tech professionals has become increasingly difficult, especially for specialised roles. Just when you think you’ve found the perfect candidate impressive LinkedIn profile, matching skillset, and relevant experience something feels off. Maybe they insist on phone interviews only. Perhaps their resume looks a bit too polished but lacks substance. In today’s remote-first hiring world, candidate fraud is rising fast. According to recent industry reports, there’s been a 92% surge in fake profiles since the pandemic. These scams can lead to wasted time, lost productivity, and even potential security risks if bad actors infiltrate your systems under false identities. At Resource Provider Ltd, we help companies navigate the tech hiring landscape safely. Here’s how you can spot red flags before making a costly mistake.
Evaluate LinkedIn profiles critically. Don’t rely solely on job titles and listed experience. Dive deeper into the candidate’s online presence. Are they active on LinkedIn? Do they have real endorsements or recommendations? Are they connected to others in the industry? While not every great developer posts online regularly, a completely inactive or bare-bones profile can be a warning sign. Always follow up with a thorough interview process.
Be wary of “round numbers” in experience. If a role requires 3–5 years of experience and a candidate’s resume shows exactly 3 years down to the month proceed with caution. Look into their past employers: Are the companies real and currently hiring? Can the candidate clearly articulate what the business does and what their responsibilities were?
Scrutinise resumes for inconsistencies. Suspicious email addresses, missing full names, and poor formatting are obvious red flags. Beyond that, pay attention to job descriptions. If they only list technologies and buzzwords with no context or achievements, it may signal inexperience or dishonesty. Genuine professionals will usually include problem-solving examples or project outcomes.
Detect recycled descriptions. Scammers often submit multiple fake profiles using the same job titles and experience summaries across different applications. If you notice similar language across multiple resumes, it’s worth investigating. Be especially cautious if their listed experience at well-known companies simply mirrors the corporate “About Us” blurb with no personal contribution described.
Conduct thorough interviews. Use the initial call to assess professionalism. Is there background noise that sounds like a call centre? Do they pause frequently or mute the line while answering questions? These are common signs of someone searching for answers in real time or working with a group to deceive interviewers. Always move toward a video interview when possible. If a candidate refuses or offers vague excuses, it could signal a scam.
Partner with a specialist recruitment agency. With the growing number of impersonators in the tech space, companies benefit from partnering with experienced recruiters. At Resource Provider Ltd, our team specialises in matching verified, skilled IT professionals to roles across the UK. We use rigorous vetting processes to protect your business and ensure you’re hiring real talent, not digital impostors.
Need help with tech hiring? At Resource Provider Ltd, we understand the challenges of sourcing qualified tech talent in a competitive market. Our recruitment specialists work across various technical sectors to bring you only the most trustworthy candidates. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a secure, high-performing team without the risk of fraud.