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What to do if…
you are asked to pay for training or equipment before starting a new job

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Pause and do not pay anything upfront until you have independently verified the employer or agency and have written terms explaining exactly what the payment is for, who receives it, and how any refund or reimbursement would work.

Do not do these things

  • Do not send money by bank transfer, crypto, gift cards, voucher codes, or any other hard-to-reverse payment method to secure the role.
  • Do not click payment links or open invoice attachments from unknown senders.
  • Do not log in through a link in the message; go to the organisation’s official website yourself.
  • Do not share full identity documents, bank details, or payroll details with an HR account you cannot verify independently.
  • Do not rely on “we’ll reimburse you later” unless you have a written expenses policy or written agreement that explains the process.
  • Do not assume a recruiter or agency is allowed to charge you just because they say it is standard.

What to do now

  1. Stop the transaction and buy time.
    Reply once, neutrally: “Before I can pay or buy anything, please send the written offer or contract, the policy covering training or equipment costs, the reimbursement or refund terms, and the exact legal name of the person or organisation I would be paying.”

  2. Verify the employer independently.

    • If the employer says it is a limited company or LLP, check the exact name, company number, and registered address on Companies House.
    • Use a contact method you find yourself, such as the organisation’s official website or main switchboard, to confirm the role and the payment request.
    • Treat look-alike email domains, messaging-app-only contact, personal bank accounts, and “pay today” pressure as major warning signs.

  3. If a recruitment agency is involved, separate work-finding from paid extras.
    Recruitment agencies generally cannot charge you a fee for finding or trying to find you work. They may charge for certain separate services, such as training, CV writing, or transport, but they must give written details before charging and cannot make you use those services as a condition of finding work.

  4. Ask for a written breakdown before agreeing to anything.
    Ask what is required and what is optional, the total cost, the supplier name, the payment method, the refund or reimbursement terms, and who handles problems if the item or course does not arrive.

  5. Move any genuine cost into a normal workplace process.
    Suggest one of these safer options:

    • The employer provides the equipment on or after your first day.
    • You buy from a named supplier only after written approval, keep receipts, and claim through a written expenses policy.
    • Any training-cost repayment arrangement is written clearly before you start, including what happens if the job does not go ahead.

  6. If you already paid or shared financial details, act quickly.

    • Contact your bank or card provider immediately and say you may have made a payment connected to a recruitment or job scam.
    • Ask what options apply, such as stopping a payment, a card dispute, chargeback, or scam-payment review. Do not assume recovery is guaranteed.
    • Save the advert, emails, texts, invoices, payment instructions, account details, and screenshots of chats.
    • For England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, report the fraud through Report Fraud.
    • For Scotland, report it to Police Scotland using 101 for non-emergency reporting, or 999 if someone is in immediate danger or the crime is happening now.
    • Report the listing to the job board or platform where it appeared.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to accept the job.
  • You do not need to argue about the law or threaten action in early messages; keep the request calm and factual while you verify.
  • You do not need to buy uniform, tools, training, software, checks, or equipment until the request is verified and written down.
  • If you have not paid and are not at immediate financial risk, formal complaints can wait until you have checked the organisation independently.

Important reassurance

A real employer should be able to confirm a role and any work-related cost through normal paperwork and official contact routes. Slowing down does not make you difficult; it protects your money, identity, and choices.

Scope note

These are first steps only, to help you pause, verify, and reduce the risk of losing money or personal information. Later decisions may need specialist employment, legal, financial, or cyber-safety help depending on what happened.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, financial, employment, cyber-security, or professional advice. Employment and recruitment situations vary, so prioritise pausing, verifying independently, and not paying upfront while you check the request.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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