Recruitment companies have today been urged to do more to help stamp out the rapidly growing issue of job scams.

Research shows that one in 10 jobseekers have been a victim of a job scam, costing them hundreds of pounds and potentially affecting their confidence in applying for genuine vacancies.

In the past two years, there has been a 300 per cent rise in recruitment related fraud and misconduct.

Victims are typically on low income and are duped into applying for a fake job.

They are asked to pay up-front costs for items like security checks, with these victims losing on average up to £500.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds wants more organisations to do their part to highlight this serious issue, and is challenging big players and jobs boards to take action by signing up to the SAFERjobs campaign.

Mr Hinds said: "It's unacceptable that jobseekers, typically ordinary people on low income, are being targeted by fraudsters.

"Looking for work can be tough enough and even the smallest setback can derail the most promising careers.

"Many of the people affected are just looking to provide for their families, and instead face financial hardship at no fault of their own.

"I want more of these fraudsters caught and to feel the full extent of the law.

"That's why I'm calling on more recruitment companies and job boards to take their responsibilities seriously, and follow our lead by promoting the excellent work of SAFERjobs."

The rallying call follows the success of the Department for Work and Pensions in promoting the non-profit, joint industry and law enforcement organisation SAFERjobs though the Government's job site Universal Jobmatch.

SAFERjobs chairman Keith Rosser said: "Recruitment fraud is varied and affects people in different ways.

"It can be a fake job offer advising that the individual needs to pay for security checks, online training, visas or insurance, or a work-from-home scam conning people into money laundering.

"Unfortunately, job scams are on the rise and in the last two years we have witnessed a 300 per cent rise in recruitment related fraud and misconduct."

Jobseekers should always be careful to protect themselves and below are some basic tips from SAFERjobs on being safe when looking for work:

• Never part with money - employers should pay employees, not the other way round. Someone should be suspicious if asked to pay for any fees upfront for security checks, visas or training;

• Never phone the company for an interview - premium rate phone scams are common. This is where an individual calls a pay-for number thinking it's an interview, when actually they are paying for every minute they stay on hold;

• Never provide personal details - bank account details, National Insurance number, date of birth, driving licence or utility bill information that are not relevant to an application process. Such information should also not be included in a CV;

• Never do everything online - while technology is a great enabler to help people find work, at some point a job discussion should lead to telephone or face to face an interview. Hiring agents who keep the relationship solely to email must be treated extremely cautiously;

• Do some research - find out about the company that the job is with. Check landline telephone numbers to confirm the job is real, and use social media and similar sources to dig deeper into the organisations to see their reputation.

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