The DBS identified “a number of people” that have been targeted by fraudsters who asked them to pay upfront for DBS certificates that never materialised.
DBS certificates allow employers to see if a candidate has any convictions that may prevent them from working with vulnerable groups.
Sue Smith, director of safeguarding at DBS, said: “This sort of scam can be really distressing to those involved and we are keen to do all we can to prevent it.”
She said the organisation would be working closely with SAFER Jobs, a non-profit set up by the Metropolitan Police, to raise awareness.
Keith Rosser, chair of SAFER Jobs, said: “Recruitment fraud takes many guises including paying for background checks, identity theft, premium rate phone interview scams, and even human trafficking and modern slavery.
“The public can fall for fake jobs advertised online or they can even be ‘head-hunted’ by criminals finding their profiles or CVs online.”
