Beware of fake job candidates: A growing risk for employers

The rise of remote hiring, digital recruitment platforms and AI-based tools have created new opportunities, but also new risks for companies that are hiring professionals. With today’s easy access to AI tools and other platforms, fake job candidates are increasingly getting in to hiring pipelines using AI-generated resumes, stolen identities, fake references and even faked video interviews.

For engineering companies and other technical industries, these scams are particularly dangerous because they risk workforce integrity, project timelines and organizational security. 

The cost of hiring fraud

Hiring a fake candidate goes beyond a bad hire, it can lead to:

• Financial losses: Recruitment costs, training investments and lost productivity 
• Project delays: When unqualified hires are discovered, critical projects get delayed 
• Legal risks: Hiring candidates with fake credentials can lead to compliance violations 
• Reputational damage: Poor hiring decisions can break trust with clients and stakeholders 

What to watch out for?

Hiring fraud often has certain red flags and Recruiters should pay close attention to:

• Inconsistent work history: Unexplained employment gaps, rapid job changes or unverifiable employers 
• Generic or AI-generated CV’s: Using too many industry buzzwords without concrete achievements or measurable results 
• Fake references: References that can’t be validated or who are delivering overly rehearsed feeling responses 
• Mismatches: Resume details that don’t align with LinkedIn profile 
• Avoidance of video interviews: Candidates refusing live calls may be hiding identity fraud or using someone else to apply for the position 

Common tactics

• AI-Generated or stolen resumes: Candidates submits polished but fabricated resumes created with AI or copied from another professional
• Fake or stand-in interviews: The scammer hires someone else to attend an interview or use technology to fake their identity
• Outsourcing scams: Jobs are secured under false pretenses, only to be secretly subcontracted to third parties
• Fake credentials and work authorizations: Fake degrees, licenses or certifications presented as real

How can you stay protected?

Companies can reduce the risk of hiring fraud with a multi-layered recruitment security strategy: 

• Conduct thorough background checks: Verify education, certifications, ID and with previous employers, conduct background and detailed reference checks  
• Require live video and personal interviews: Confirm identity and assess real-time behavioral cues
• Train Recruiters to detect fraud: Provide regular training sessions to recognize evolving fraud tactics and suspicious candidate behavior
• Use automatized/ AI verification tools: Automated checks can identify inconsistencies in resumes, credentials and online presence
• Collaborate with specialized recruitment partners: Engineering-focused recruitment companies, such as Enersense International Oyj, Expert Services can spot industry-specific red flags faster

Why this matters for Engineering Recruitment

In highly technical fields, one fraud hire can lead to failed projects or compromised safety standards. Engineering companies must be especially alert, because roles often require specialized knowledge that is not easily tested during interviews. 

Proactive hiring security also enhances the company’s reputation, making it more attractive to top talent. By ensuring only qualified and verified candidates join the team, companies create a safer and more efficient hiring process and protect their operational integrity. 

Advice for employers

Hiring security is no longer optional, it is an essential part of Talent Acquisition. Invest in verification tools, recruiter training and specialized hiring expertise. The cost of prevention is small compared to the damage of one fraud hire.

Pro Tip: Always handle these cases professionally. Avoid false or public accusations and focus on documented evidence. Always follow proper HR and legal procedures.

Your workforce is your greatest asset, so you should protect it.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me:

Sanna Uronen
HR Coordinator
+358 40 176 5270
sanna.uronen@enersense.com

Expert Services – Enersense