In this guide
Checking employers and job offers
Which personal details to share at each stage of applying
Which details genuine employers ask for at each stage, from application to first day, how UK and US right-to-work checks work and which requests to refuse.
What genuine employers ask for, stage by stage
| Stage | Usually requested | Not needed yet |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Name, contact details, work history, qualifications, right-to-work status (yes or no) | Bank details, passport copies, tax or Social Security numbers |
| Interview | Availability, references contacts (sometimes), answers to role questions | Bank details, documents |
| Offer | Acceptance, start date, referees' consent; right-to-work and identity checks may begin | Payment of any kind |
| Before or on the first day | Right-to-work evidence, bank details for payroll, tax details | One-time passcodes or passwords |
Right-to-work checks in the UK and US
In the UK, GOV.UK explains that you prove your right to work to your employer before you start, with the evidence depending on your nationality and immigration permission; some people use a share code and some employers use an online identity service provider.
In the US, USCIS explains that employers complete Form I-9 for every person they hire, to verify identity and employment authorisation, and that the employee presents acceptable documents for the employer to examine.
Requests that should stop you
- Bank or card details at application stage, or 'to set up payroll' before an offer.
- One-time passcodes sent to your phone or email.
- Passwords to any account, including email.
- Photos of your passport or driving licence sent through a chat app to someone you have not verified.
- Payment for checks, training or equipment.
Illustrative example
A request out of step with the stage
- Recruiter, before any interview: 'Please send a photo of your passport and your bank card so we can register you for payroll and fast-track your application.'
Payroll needs bank details only after you are hired, and nobody needs a photo of your card. Stop and verify the employer independently.
Sharing safely when it is time
Before you send documents or financial details
- I have verified the employer through its own official contact details.
- I have an offer, or the request comes through the employer's own portal or HR team.
- The request matches the stage of the process.
- I am using the employer's secure upload or an in-person check, not a chat app.
- Nobody has asked me for codes, passwords or payment.
Common questions
Why do some application forms ask about right to work so early?
A yes-or-no question about your right to work is common at application stage because it affects eligibility. That is different from sending the documents themselves, which normally happens later.
What should I do if I have already sent documents?
Stop contact and follow the steps in the guide on what to do if you shared details with a job scammer, including watching for identity misuse.
Sources
- GOV.UK: prove your right to work to an employerGOV.UK · UK · checked 3 October 2026
- USCIS: Form I-9, Employment Eligibility VerificationUS Citizenship and Immigration Services · US · checked 3 October 2026
- FTC: what to know about identity theftUS Federal Trade Commission · US · checked 3 October 2026
- Citizens Advice: check if something might be a scamCitizens Advice · England and Wales · checked 3 October 2026
Put it into practice
See how Luceria helps with thisDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.