Remote work has opened access to global talent — but also to new threats. AI can now be used to generate fake resumes, impersonate candidates in interviews, and even deploy deepfake video to fool hiring managers.
For tech leaders, the risk isn’t just wasting time or budget. It’s exposing your systems and IP to someone who shouldn’t be there.
This guide explores the tactics fraudsters use, the red flags to watch for, and how to build a vetting process that acts as a human firewall. In today’s hiring landscape, identity verification isn’t a formality. It’s a security function.
The anatomy of a modern hiring scam
Understanding the tactics is the first step toward preventing them:
- AI-generated applications. Scammers use large language models to create tailored resumes and cover letters that bypass AI-driven ATS systems.
- Identity fraud. Fake or stolen identities are backed by synthetic social media profiles and work histories to appear credible.
- Interview stand-ins. One person takes the initial call, and a more skilled imposter takes the technical interview.
- Deepfake interviews. AI-generated video feeds mimic a real person’s face and voice during a live video call.
These tactics are designed to exploit high-volume hiring processes that lack robust human checkpoints.
The human firewall: a multi-layered defense protocol
Automation can’t detect deepfakes or verify identity. The only reliable defense is a vetting process that combines human oversight with key friction points.
At Howdy.com, our multi-step protocol helps clients avoid fraud while hiring exceptional talent.
Identity verification
- Government ID and background checks using third-party verification tools
- Ensures the person applying is real and matches their documents
Live, multi-stage interviews
- Interviews conducted by multiple senior team members
- Hard for imposters to maintain consistency across touchpoints
- Discrepancies in communication or technical depth are easy to catch
The live coding gauntlet
- Candidates write and explain code live while screen-sharing
- Deepfakes can’t write code
- Unqualified candidates can’t solve real problems under scrutiny
Cross-referenced history
- Professional reference calls with former managers
- Verifies impact, role, and specific project contributions
- Detects résumé inflation or fabrication
Red flags to watch for in your own hiring process
Even with a solid system, train your team to recognize early warning signs:
- Inconsistent video or audio. Poor syncing, strange lighting, or unnatural facial movement can indicate deepfake video.
- Vague project answers. Candidates who can’t explain their own work may be misrepresenting their experience.
- Refusal to use video or share screen. In remote hiring, this is an immediate disqualifier.
- Rushed decision pressure. Scammers often try to force fast hiring to avoid deeper checks.
Conclusion: In an AI world, trust must be verified
The irony of AI is that as automation improves, the value of human judgment increases. You can’t rely on an algorithm to verify trust.
That’s why Howdy.com is built around a human-led vetting process. We use technology to find great talent — but we use people to confirm that talent is real, qualified, and trustworthy.
In a world of deepfakes and digital deception, that commitment to authenticity is our most important service.