The moment a “recruiter” pushes you off a monitored job site onto WhatsApp, Telegram, or personal text.
Legitimate hiring keeps communication on channels an employer can stand behind — a company email, an applicant tracking system, a verified job board. Scammers want the opposite: an unmonitored space with no moderation or paper trail.
The pivot to WhatsApp or Telegram early in a conversation is one of the single most reliable indicators of a job scam.
Red flags
- Asked to continue on WhatsApp/Telegram within the first messages
- Recruiter avoids a verifiable company email
- Interview conducted entirely over chat
Deep-dive guide
The Off-Platform Pivot: Why Scammers Rush You to Telegram or WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for recruiters to use WhatsApp?
Some legitimate recruiters use messaging apps, but being pushed off a job platform to a personal chat immediately — before any verified company contact — is a classic scam signal. Verify the company independently first.