⚠️ Urgent Alert: Active Scams
We're currently aware of fraudsters impersonating Dovetail & Slate on Indeed and other job platforms. If you've been contacted about a job opportunity claiming to be from us, please verify it immediately using the steps below.
These scammers are posting fake job listings and contacting candidates directly. They may use our company name, copy our branding, or claim to be our consultants. If anything feels off, stop and contact us directly before proceeding.
Looking for your next role should be exciting, not stressful. Unfortunately, there's been a significant rise in recruitment scams, with fraudsters becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they target job seekers, and they're currently targeting candidates using the Dovetail & Slate name.
But here's the thing: knowledge is your best defence. By understanding what to look out for, you can protect yourself and focus on what really matters - finding the right opportunity for you.
We've created this guide to help you spot the warning signs, verify legitimate communications, and know exactly what to do if something doesn't feel right.
How to Verify Indeed Job Postings
We're aware of current scams on Indeed using our company name. Here's how to check if a job posting is genuinely from us:
- Check our official website – All our genuine vacancies are listed at www.dovetailslate.co.uk/candidates/jobs. If the role isn't there, contact us to verify.
- Verify the company profile – Our official Indeed company profile should match our website branding. Check for verification badges and review the account history.
- Contact us directly – Before applying or responding, call one of our offices using the numbers on our official website (not numbers provided in the job posting).
- Check the email domain – If Indeed forwards you an email or you receive follow-up contact, verify the sender uses @dovetailslate.co.uk (not Gmail, Hotmail, or other generic domains).
Important: If a job posting asks you to move the conversation off Indeed to WhatsApp, Telegram, or to click external links immediately, this is a major red flag.
Warning Signs When You're Contacted
Genuine recruitment consultants will never ask you to pay fees, provide financial details upfront, or pressure you into quick decisions. If you're contacted by someone claiming to be from a recruitment agency, watch out for these red flags:
Requests for Money or Financial Information
This is the biggest warning sign. A legitimate recruitment agency will never ask you to:
- Pay an "administration fee", "security fee", "accreditation fee", or any other charge
- Transfer cash or provide credit card information
- Purchase equipment, training materials, or background check services
- Provide bank account details before a formal job offer
At Dovetail & Slate, we never charge candidates any fees. Our services are completely free for job seekers.
Suspicious Communication Methods
Be cautious if someone contacts you through:
- Personal email addresses (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo) rather than company domains
- WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging apps for initial contact or asking you to move conversations there
- Social media direct messages from profiles with limited activity or information
- Unsolicited links or attachments in emails
- Indeed or other job sites asking you to continue discussions off-platform immediately
All Dovetail & Slate email communications come from official email addresses in the format: firstname.lastname@dovetailslate.co.uk
Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers
Scammers often use unrealistic promises to lure victims. Be wary of:
- Guaranteed employment or income
- Exceptionally high salaries for entry-level positions
- Job offers without an interview or proper vetting process
- Vague or poorly written job descriptions
- Pressure to accept immediately without time to consider
Poor Communication Quality
Legitimate agencies maintain professional standards in all communications. Red flags include:
- Numerous spelling or grammatical errors
- Generic greetings like "Dear Applicant" when they claim to know you
- Inconsistent branding or formatting
- Suspicious profile pictures or lack of professional presence
How to Verify Legitimate Websites
Fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated, sometimes creating fake websites that look remarkably similar to legitimate recruitment agencies. Here's how to check if a website is genuine:
Check the SSL Certificate
Look for the padlock icon in your browser's address bar. Click it to view the SSL certificate details. A legitimate site will have:
- A valid SSL certificate
- The correct company name listed
- A current expiry date
Verify the Domain Name
Check the URL carefully. Scammers often use similar-looking domains with slight variations, such as:
- Extra hyphens or numbers (e.g., dovetail-slate1.co.uk)
- Different domain extensions (.com instead of .co.uk)
- Misspellings that are easy to miss
Our official website is: www.dovetailslate.co.uk
Look for Professional Content
Genuine recruitment websites will have:
- Detailed company information and history
- Team profiles with photos and contact details
- Physical office addresses
- Privacy policy and terms of service
- Active social media presence with regular updates
How to Verify Dovetail & Slate Communications
If you're unsure whether a communication claiming to be from Dovetail & Slate is genuine, here's how to verify it:
Check the Email Address
All our recruitment consultants use email addresses in this format: firstname.lastname@dovetailslate.co.uk
If the email address differs from this format, do not respond and contact us directly to verify.
Contact Our Offices Directly
If you receive a suspicious communication or have been asked to attend an in-person meeting, please contact your nearest office to verify:
Bristol (Head Office) – Our main office covering education and public sector recruitment across the South West
Leeds – Serving education and public sector organisations across Yorkshire and the North East
Manchester – Supporting recruitment needs across the North West
You can find full contact details for all our offices on our contact page. We're always happy to verify any communications and answer your questions.
What to Do if You Suspect a Scam
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts. Here's what to do:
Immediate Actions
- Stop all communication with the suspected fraudster immediately
- Do not click any links or open attachments they've sent
- Take screenshots or keep copies of all communications as evidence
- If you've provided financial information, contact your bank immediately
Report the Scam
Reporting scams helps protect others and aids in prosecution efforts. Report to:
- Action Fraud (National Fraud and Cybercrime Reporting Centre) – The official UK reporting service
- Jobs Aware (SAFERjobs) – Specialist service for reporting recruitment fraud
- National Crime Agency – For information on fraud and economic crime
- Indeed Support – Report fraudulent job postings directly to Indeed
If the scammer was using the Dovetail & Slate name or logo, please also let us know by contacting any of our offices or emailing info@dovetailslate.co.uk. We take these matters extremely seriously and will assist where possible.
Warn Others
If you were contacted through a website or social media platform, report it to the platform operators so they can take action and warn other users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Dovetail & Slate ever ask for money?
No, absolutely not. Our services are completely free for job seekers. We never charge administration fees, accreditation fees, or any other costs to candidates. We're paid by the employers who hire through us, not by job seekers.
I saw a Dovetail & Slate job on Indeed. How do I know it's real?
We're currently aware of fake job postings on Indeed using our name. Always verify the job exists on our official website (www.dovetailslate.co.uk/candidates/jobs) and check that any follow-up emails come from @dovetailslate.co.uk addresses. If in doubt, call one of our offices directly using the numbers on our website.
What information will you ask for during the application process?
We'll ask for standard recruitment information: your CV, contact details, qualifications, right to work documentation, and professional references. For compliance purposes (particularly in education and public sector roles), we'll also need identity verification and DBS check information. However, we'll never ask for bank details until you've accepted a formal job offer and we're setting up payroll.
How will Dovetail & Slate contact me?
We'll contact you via our official email addresses (firstname.lastname@dovetailslate.co.uk), phone calls from our office numbers, or through our website contact forms. We may also connect with you on LinkedIn through our official company page and verified consultant profiles. We don't initiate contact through WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging apps, and we won't ask you to move conversations off job platforms immediately.
What should I do if I receive a job offer without an interview?
Be very cautious. Legitimate recruitment processes, especially in education and public sector roles, always include interviews and proper vetting. If you receive a job offer without having spoken to anyone, it's likely a scam. Contact us directly to verify if the offer is genuine.
Can scammers clone your website?
Unfortunately, yes. Fraudsters can create fake websites that look similar to legitimate ones. Always check the URL carefully (our official domain is dovetailslate.co.uk), verify the SSL certificate by clicking the padlock in your browser, and when in doubt, contact us directly through phone numbers you've independently verified.
What's the best way to verify a job listing is genuine?
Check that the job is listed on our official website (www.dovetailslate.co.uk/candidates/jobs). You can also contact the office listed on the job posting directly to verify. Be cautious of job listings that appear only on unknown job boards or that you can't find on our website.
I've already provided information to a scammer. What should I do?
Don't panic, but act quickly. If you've shared financial information, contact your bank immediately. Change passwords for any accounts where you may have used similar login details. Report the fraud to Action Fraud. Contact us so we can help verify what information may have been compromised, and we'll support you through the process.
Your Safety Is Our Priority
Job hunting should be exciting and empowering, not worrying. Whilst it's important to be aware of scams, please don't let this stop you from pursuing great opportunities.
At Dovetail & Slate, we're committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical recruitment. We're members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), which means we adhere to a strict code of conduct. Your safety and wellbeing matter to us.
If you ever have any doubts about a communication claiming to be from us—especially if you've seen something on Indeed or other job platforms—please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd much rather you check with us than risk falling victim to fraud.
Ready to start your job search safely? Browse our latest opportunities in education and public sector roles across the UK on our official website, or get in touch with one of our specialist consultants who can guide you through the process.
Because finding your perfect role shouldn't come with risks—it should come with support, transparency, and genuine care. That's the Dovetail & Slate difference.