Fraud Warning

How to Spot Fraud Claiming to Be from Keller

Keller is aware of job scams and phishing schemes in which individuals unlawfully use our name, logo, and employees’ identities to commit fraud. This page explains how to identify fraudulent communications claiming to be from Keller and what to do if you are targeted.

The Single Most Important Rule:

All legitimate Keller emails come from @kellerexecutivesearch.com.

If you receive a message claiming to be from Keller sent from any other domain — including Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or any other free email service — it is fraudulent, even if it includes a real employee’s name, photo, title, or LinkedIn profile link.

What Keller Will Never Do

• We will never charge you for job interviews, job placements, or any related services.
• We will never extend a job offer without a live video or phone conversation with a real Keller employee.
• We will never send you a check and ask you to forward funds to a vendor, supplier, or anyone else.
• We will never request sensitive financial or personal information early in the recruitment process.
• We will never send you money or ask you to make a purchase on our behalf.
• We will never contact you via WhatsApp, Telegram, or other instant messaging services unless we have already been in contact with you and you have given prior permission.
• We will never email you from a free email address (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.).
• We will never impose artificial deadlines or threaten to withdraw an offer if you don’t provide information or payment immediately.

Red Flags to Watch For

Fraudsters are creating increasingly convincing messages that may include real employee names, titles, LinkedIn profile links, and even our company website or mission statement. Look for these warning signs:

Wrong email domain. The sender’s address is not @kellerexecutivesearch.com.

Unsolicited contact. You receive a job offer or interview invitation without having applied or spoken with anyone at Keller.

No live conversation. You are offered a role without ever speaking to a real person by video or phone.

Requests for money or sensitive information. Requests for application fees, visa or certification costs, banking details, or personal identification documents at any stage.

Checks for equipment or setup costs. You are sent a check to buy a laptop, software, or home-office equipment and asked to forward part of the funds to a “vendor.”

Too-good-to-be-true offers. Unusually high salaries, premium perks, or guaranteed placement with little or no interview process.

Pressure tactics. Artificial urgency, short deadlines, or threats of losing the opportunity if you don’t act immediately.

Messaging apps. First contact via WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or SMS from someone you have never spoken with.

Examples of Fraudulent Communications

Fraudulent Email

From: [Employee Name] [email protected]

“Hello [Name], Thank you for your interest. I’ve reviewed your profile and I’d like to move forward with the executive role we discussed. To proceed, please confirm your banking details and forward a processing fee of $250 to secure your placement…”

The email above may use a real Keller employee’s name, title, and LinkedIn URL — but the Gmail sender address and the request for payment and banking details make it clearly fraudulent.

Fraudulent Text or WhatsApp Message

“Hello, I’m [Name] from Keller Executive Search. I found your profile in our recruiting database and we have some excellent opportunities that match your background. Can I share some role details with you?”

Keller does not initiate contact via WhatsApp or SMS. A message of this kind is not from us.

Equipment Payment Scam

This scam has become increasingly common. It typically unfolds like this:

1. You receive an email or WhatsApp message about a remote role at Keller.
2. You complete a written assessment, questionnaire, or text-based “interview” — but you never speak to anyone by phone or video.
3. You are told you’ve been hired and sent an onboarding packet, often with a convincing-looking offer letter.
4. A check arrives (physical or digital) to cover the cost of your work laptop, software licenses, or home-office setup.
5. You are instructed to deposit the check and then immediately send a portion of the funds — usually via wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency — to a specific “approved vendor.”
6. Days or weeks later, the check bounces. The money you sent to the “vendor” is gone, and you are liable for the full amount to your bank.

If you are asked to deposit a check and forward money anywhere, it is a scam. Stop immediately, contact your bank, and report it to us.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

1. Check the sender’s email domain. If it’s not @kellerexecutivesearch.com, it is not from Keller.
2. Do not respond or engage with the sender in any way.
3. Do not click any links or open any attachments.
4. Do not provide personal information, financial details, identification documents, or copies of your CV or cover letter.
5. Do not deposit any checks or forward any funds, even if the paperwork appears legitimate.
6. Report the message by forwarding it (or a screenshot) to [email protected].
7. Block the sender and delete the message once you have reported it.
8. Verify independently. If you want to confirm whether a communication is genuine, contact Keller directly using the phone number or email address listed on our official website — not any contact details provided in the suspicious message.

If you have already deposited a check or sent money as part of a suspected scam, contact your bank immediately and file a report with your local law enforcement or consumer protection authority (in the US, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov).

Reporting Fraud

Please report any suspicious messages, emails, or claims made in Keller’s name to [email protected]. Include the original message or a screenshot showing the sender’s full email address or phone number.

Keller’s Commitment to Client and Candidate Security

Keller is dedicated to providing a professional, transparent service grounded in honesty and integrity. We adhere to all applicable data protection laws and strict confidentiality agreements to safeguard personal data shared during the recruitment process. We continuously monitor for fraudulent job postings and impersonation of our employees, and we take every reasonable measure to have fraudulent content removed.

Legal Disclaimer

Keller is not liable for any loss, damage, or harm arising from fraudulent communications or job postings that misuse our name, logo, or employees’ identities. We do not authorize or endorse any requests for payment or personal information made outside our official recruitment processes.

It is your responsibility to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to come from Keller by contacting us through the phone number or email address listed on our official website. We do not charge fees for job opportunities and strictly adhere to applicable data protection regulations.

We reserve the right to pursue all available legal remedies against individuals or entities that falsely represent our brand. By continuing to use this site or engage with purported Keller recruiters, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer and agree to exercise due diligence in preventing potential fraud.