Royal Preston and Chorley Hospital issue warning over 'fake jobs' scam

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LTH) says the social media ruse involves people being asked for payment as part of the supposed application process for healthcare assistant roles. It is advising anyone who has handed over money or bank details to contact the police.

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In a statement on its Facebook page, LTH said: ““We have been made aware of [a] scam involving an agency providing offers of employment, contracts of employment and fake certificates of sponsorships for healthcare assistant roles based at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

“This agency is advertising their opportunities via Facebook and all correspondence is then dealt with via WhatsApp and email. Interested applicants are then asked to pay the agency to process their application.

“These are not genuine offers of employment with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

“Please be aware that no genuine offer of employment would be made by us without you submitting an online application via our Trac system and it would only be made following a formal interview and assessment. Also, we would never ask for any payment in return for employment or a certificate of sponsorship.

“Please ensure you do not engage with these sorts of scams and do not send any payment/bank account details via WhatsApp or email. We would only ask for your bank details once you have started with the trust, so your salary can be paid to you.

“If you feel you may have been affected by this scam, please report this to the police.”