The IEC has warned the public about fraudsters using online job advertisement websites in the name of the organisation to obtain personal information from unsuspecting job seekers.

According to IEC Kate Bapela, various advertisements are being circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms claiming that the IEC is recruiting for the forthcoming 2024 national and provincial elections.

The post asks interested persons to provide their personal information.

The chief electoral officer of the IEC, Sy Mamabolo, has cautioned that while the IEC is indeed recruiting for the forthcoming elections, these phishing sites are not legitimate advertisements.

“Scammers are using fake job postings to take advantage of unsuspecting applicants. We had one site shut down and we then received reports of others.

“I wish to stress that the IEC only advertises its job opportunities is on its official social media channels including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and on its recruitment portal on the official website, www.elections.org.za.”

Mamabolo said any post, message or website that asks you to fill in your personal details as part of an application process, or directs you to any other website is a potential phishing site.

“In this instance, phishing takes place as the fraudsters masquerade as the IEC, and using the promise of jobs in their communication as clickbait to deceive people into revealing sensitive personal information,” said Mamabolo.

The IEC appeals to job seekers to protect themselves by applying for its jobs on their website only.

To find out whether a job advertisement is legitimate, contact the IEC on their social media pages or email info@elections.org.za.

To register on the Electoral Commission’s jobs portal and to apply for available positions, visit the site https://www.elections.org.za/pw/About-Us/BrowseJobs