Hiring industry faces rise in interview fraud and fake job listings

The recruitment industry is facing dual challenges regarding authenticity and transparency. A survey by ResumeBuilder indicated that 40 percent of hiring managers reported their companies posted fake job listings, often referred to as ‘ghost jobs,’ in 2024. These listings may exist due to frozen budgets or internal candidates, but they often leave applicants without clear communication. In response, lawmakers in New York and Pennsylvania are pursuing legislation to mandate greater transparency regarding whether vacancies are active or intended for future talent collection.

Simultaneously, the rise of generative AI has introduced new forms of interview fraud. Gartner predicts that by 2028, one in four candidate profiles worldwide could be fake. A 2025 survey of 3,000 candidates found that 6 percent admitted to interview fraud, such as posing as another person. Because AI can now draft resumes and provide real-time interview assistance, employers are shifting from simple evaluation to more intensive verification processes to ensure the person being interviewed is the genuine applicant.