SANDF recruitment scam: Beware of fake social media posts
Be careful of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recruitment forms which have been circulating on social media.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has warned the public to be careful of recruitment forms that have been circulating on social media. Recruitment scams are unfortunately common, especially during the holiday season. As published by South African Government News, the recruitment forms that have been circulating appear as legitimate military recruitment forms however they were not issued by SANDF themselves. Criminals can use these forms to get South Africans to hand over sensitive personal information or to ask people for money to secure their positions.
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It’s important to not apply for any position via social media and to contact the SANDF Reserve Force about job opportunities or recruitment applications. If a scam is spotted, it should be reported immediately to help others to avoid being scammed.
HOW TO SPOT THE SANDF RECRUITMENT SCAM?
SANDF has stated that the recruitment forms doing the rounds on social media are similar to the real forms used by the Reserve Force. It is therefore easy for people to assume this is a legitimate form of recruitment as it may contain SANDF details. Criminals duplicate these forms and ask people to pay a certain amount to join the force.
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THE LEGITIMATE SANDF HIRING PROCESS
SANDF will not hire applicants through social media posts. Application details and application documents to join the force are usually published on various government websites such as The South African Air Force. These applications however can only be done at regional or provincial offices. Contact the government offices to find out the legitimate addresses for applications.
WHEN DOES THE SANDF OPEN THEIR RECRUITMENT TO THE PUBLIC?
Currently, there is no official recruitment drive for SANDF. As reported in IOL, SANDF recruitment for 2024 closed on February 28, 2023. It is best to contact the relevant departments for the next recruitment intake, rather than rely on rumours or social media posts.
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HOW TO SPOT JOB RECRUITMENT SPAMS
Recruitment scams aim to illicit money from unsuspecting victims. Legitimate recruiters will not ask for money. Do not send money or personal details such as your bank account number or card PIN when applying for any job. Use official websites and recruitment channels when applying for jobs, especially government jobs. If in doubt, contact the company or government office directly.
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