Finding a job in a foreign country can be challenging, and it’s crucial to be aware of potential scams. In this article, we’ll provide you with practical tips to ensure your safety while job hunting in Hungary.
Why should you be cautious?
Due to language barriers, it’s important to pay extra attention to avoid suspicious and dishonest offers. Scammers often target Ukrainian and Russian speakers, taking advantage of potential language difficulties and limited knowledge of local regulations.
Hungarian authorities may be less likely to intervene with scams advertised in Ukrainian or Russian, so it’s crucial to be particularly vigilant.
Is it safe to rely on acquaintances, roommates or friends for job opportunities?
Job offers from people you know are only as safe as your relationship with them.
- If the person referring you can provide detailed information about the job, including its nature, conditions, description, and payment, it is likely to be safe.
- If the job offer is within the same company but a different role, your friend may have limited knowledge. In such cases, treat the opportunity as if it were advertised publicly.
- However, even with acquaintances, ensure that you receive fair compensation for your work.
What should you do before accepting an offer?
- Research the Employer: Before accepting a job offer, research the company or employer to ensure their legitimacy. Check their website, read reviews, and verify their contact information.
- Beware of Upfront Payments: Be cautious if a potential employer asks for upfront payments or fees as a condition of employment. Legitimate employers typically cover recruitment costs themselves.
- Check for Official Job Listings: Utilize reputable job listing websites or official job boards to find job opportunities. Be wary of job offers received through unsolicited emails or social media platforms.
- Avoid Personal Information Sharing: Be cautious about sharing sensitive personal information, such as your bank account details or identification documents, unless you are certain about the legitimacy of the employer.
- Seek Legal Advice if Needed: If you have concerns about the legitimacy of a job offer or encounter any potential scam, consider seeking legal advice from a professional or consulting with relevant authorities.
Signs of potential job scams:
- If someone asks you for money as a job seeker, it is highly suspicious. In Hungary, job agencies receive payment from employers, not employees as mentioned above. Paying money to an intermediary could result in unnecessary expenses or even fraud.
- Be wary of offers that promise substantial earnings for minimal work. Such promises may lead to unpaid work or involvement in illegal activities that can have severe legal consequences.
- Keep in mind that lack of knowledge or understanding of the law does not exempt you from liability. Engaging in activities like people smuggling, even unknowingly, can lead to imprisonment.
Ensure that the employment relationship is registered:
- Unregistered employment may seem appealing for higher pay, but it is illegal. It also jeopardizes your entitlement to benefits and medical coverage
- If your employer doesn’t arrange for you a tax number, a social security card and possibly a bank account within 1-2 months, you need to ask for these and check your employer again as this is mandatory in case of a legitimate employer. r.
- It is also useful to check what the employer has declared: for which position and for how many hours you are registered exactly. For this you will need client access, which can be requested at a government office.
It’s a good idea to check the validity of your social security card at certain intervals, because it can happen that your employer pays social security contributions for a while and then stops paying it for some reason. The employee usually finds this out when he/she has to go to the doctor and realizes that his/her social security card is not valid. We have written more about this in our article here: Hungarian Social Security Card and its Validity.
By being cautious, asking questions, and seeking proper documentation, you can protect yourself from potential job scams and ensure a safer employment experience in Hungary.