Fake Recruiters and the $350 ATS Job Scam

Last week started strong. I was energized by two roles that aligned beautifully with my experience, the intersection of Human Resources and Technology. Both seemed promising. Both ended up to be scams. Disappointing, yes—but not discouraging.

One was the typical, too generic to be real situation we’ve all seen. The other caught my attention and I decided to investigate the scam. The tell-tale signs were there, salary unusually high, the compliments were a bit over the top and the conversation switched twice to costs. But I pursued it anyway because parts of the communication didn’t read like the usual form letters flooding my inbox.

The Bait and Switch

Then came the pivot. After praising my “impressive” resume, they claimed it didn’t clear their ATS (Applicant Tracking System) review—purely a “technical hurdle” they could help me overcome. For $350, their resume specialist could optimize my executive HR resume to highlight achievements like:

• Reducing turnover to 13% (below the industry average of 24%)
• Achieving zero audit deficiencies
• Driving a 9% revenue increase through workforce optimization

My spidey sense kicked in immediately. I forwarded my own ATS review showing 100% compliance with best practices. Their response? Deflection: “different tools can sometimes yield varying results” and “kindly reach out to the representative directly and also share your budget upfront.”

Here’s the thing. A legitimate recruiter continues the conversation. Hiring isn’t just about what’s on paper. You learn who someone is by engaging with them and exploring their real value. That’s exactly how I’ve always found the diamond in the rough.

I stepped back from the exchange only to receive a follow-up email this morning. This morning’s follow-up repeated the same narrative about needing an “updated resume that reflects the premium standard we discussed” to move forward.

Red Flags to Watch For

If you’re job searching, here’s what to look out for:

• Immediate praise followed by a “but” – Your credentials are “perfect,” except for one fixable problem (that costs money)
• ATS as a weapon – Legitimate companies don’t ask candidates to pay to pass their screening
• Pressure to act fast – “This week,” “new cycle,” “without delay”
• Switching conversations to cost – Real recruiters focus on fit, not your wallet
• Vague company details – If you can’t easily verify the role or recruiter, trust your gut

The Unexpected Win

Meanwhile, something completely different happened last week that reminded me why I do this work. It reinforced a truth I’ve believed throughout my career—impact doesn’t always show up where you expect it. Sometimes it comes from leaning into a challenge you didn’t even see coming.

I’ll be sharing those lessons tomorrow, because that story deserves its own space.

Moving Forward

This phase of my job search has had its twists, but I’m moving forward with purpose. I’m focused on opportunities where strategic HR, thoughtful governance, and technology-driven solutions come together to strengthen organizations.

And I’ll take the wins wherever they appear, even when they arrive from unexpected corners.