LinkedIn Launches New Verification Features In India To Combat Online Hiring Scams

India’s digital job market is expanding rapidly, offering millions of professionals new opportunities across industries. However, with this surge comes a darker reality: the rise of online hiring scams . Fraudsters have increasingly been preying on vulnerable jobseekers with fake offers, leading to not only financial losses but also significant emotional stress. At a time when many professionals are struggling with burnout and career uncertainty, such scams have only added to their concerns.

LinkedIn’s Push for Safer Professional Interactions

To tackle this growing challenge, professional networking platform LinkedIn has announced a new set of verification features designed to build greater trust among its Indian users. Adoption of LinkedIn’s verification tools has already risen 2.4 times over the past year, a clear sign that professionals are prioritising security before applying for roles, hiring candidates, or engaging with companies online.

Verification for Companies and Recruiters

LinkedIn’s new security update introduces three major verification features: expanded company page verification, recruiter workplace verification, and executive job title verification. These tools aim to safeguard users from fraudulent entities and strengthen trust across professional interactions.

Expanded Company Page Verification

Until now, verification was largely reserved for established organisations. The new update makes the feature accessible to smaller businesses as well, provided they have a premium page subscription. According to LinkedIn, this step could prove especially useful for India’s growing small business sector. Research shows that 85 per cent of business buyers value trust as a key factor when choosing partners, meaning verified profiles can help smaller firms build stronger relationships with clients, collaborators, and jobseekers alike.

Recruiter Workplace Verification

Another significant move is the requirement for recruiters to verify their workplace details. With hiring fraud on the rise, this feature will assure jobseekers that they are engaging with authentic professionals rather than fake recruiters posing under false identities.

Executive Job Title Verification

LinkedIn has also extended verification requirements to senior executives such as managing directors and vice presidents. By verifying leadership roles, the platform seeks to prevent impersonation at the top levels of organisations, a tactic often used in scams to mislead jobseekers or potential partners.

Ongoing Fight Against Fake Accounts

LinkedIn’s broader efforts in security are already substantial. Between July and December 2024 alone, the platform blocked 80.6 million fake accounts from registering. Its automated safety infrastructure claims to intercept over 99 per cent of scams and fake accounts before they are even reported.

Yet, company leaders acknowledge that technology alone cannot completely eliminate the risks. Awareness and vigilance remain critical. Aditi Jha, head of legal and public policy at LinkedIn India, advises users to follow safe online practices. She highlights some key red flags: legitimate employers will never ask for bank details before onboarding, request money transfers, or insist on downloading suspicious software. Jobseekers are also encouraged to stay cautious of offers that appear “too good to be true.”

Safety Tools for Indian Jobseekers

Alongside verification, LinkedIn is rolling out a suite of safety features designed to empower jobseekers in India.

• Verification badges on job postings help identify whether the recruiter or company has been verified by LinkedIn or its trusted identity partners.
• Message warnings use detection tools to alert users of potentially harmful content or scam attempts.
• Job search filters now allow users to view only job postings from verified companies and recruiters.
• Passkeys enable secure logins using biometrics such as facial recognition or fingerprints.
• Two-step verification provides an additional layer of security, especially when logging in from new devices.

Building a Culture of Trust

The introduction of these verification features highlights LinkedIn’s commitment to fostering a secure professional ecosystem in India. However, experts stress that safety must be a shared responsibility. While the platform works to eliminate fake accounts and suspicious postings, jobseekers must remain alert and proactive. Regularly updating account settings, enabling security features, and verifying job details before applying can significantly reduce risks.