You receive a LinkedIn message from a hurried HR manager, a perfectly calibrated alternance offer, a transfer "for equipment" arriving before any contract is signed… In 2026, scams targeting alternance candidates are multiplying. Here is how to spot them, protect your data and react if you have fallen into the trap.
In short: 2026 alternance scams take the form of fake recruiters on LinkedIn, SMS messages imitating a training centre or "official" emails asking for your RIB, ID or a money transfer. The right reflexes: check the SIRET on the Annuaire des Entreprises, refuse any exchange outside professional channels (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram), never share your RIB or ID documents before signing the contract, and report the scam on PHAROS, THESEE and Signal Spam. If a transfer has been made, contact your bank within 24 to 72 hours to request a recall of funds.
Why are alternance scams exploding in 2026?
Three factors combined explain the surge in scams targeting alternance candidates:
- A massive pool of candidates: with nearly 1 million active apprenticeship contracts in France, the target is huge. Young job seekers are perceived as under pressure and therefore vulnerable.
- De-intermediation: the removal of Dreets registration by the reform of 27 February 2025 has made recruitment more fluid, but it has also opened the door to unverified listings.
- Heavy use of LinkedIn, WhatsApp and Telegram when looking for an alternance — favourite playgrounds for "brouteurs" (scammers mostly based in West Africa, primarily Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria).
"I had a student in tears on the phone," says Eve Royer, HR manager of a French SME contacted by a dozen students after her LinkedIn identity was impersonated by fake recruiters.
To understand how to land a real alternance while avoiding these traps, read our guide to finding an alternance company and CV templates that work.
What are the 5 most common scams in 2026?
Methods keep diversifying, but five main patterns dominate in 2026:
| Type of scam | Warning sign | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Fake HR on LinkedIn | Recently created profile, few connections, AI-generated photo | Obtain CV, RIB, ID |
| Mandatory "application fees" | Demand for payment before signing | Steal €50 to €500 |
| Transfer trap | A "credit" arrives, then a refund is requested | Cash out a fake transfer or launder a stolen cheque |
| Fake apprenticeship contract | Non-CERFA PDF, no SIRET, dubious digital signature | Identity theft |
| Fake language or psychotechnical test | Link to a site mimicking a publisher, "validation" payment | Steal card data (carding) |
⚠️ Golden rule: an employer or a CFA will never ask you for money, a RIB or an ID document before the official signing of the contract. No exceptions.
How to verify an alternance offer in 5 minutes?
Before replying, run through this systematic checklist:
- Check the company's SIRET on annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr. A company created 15 days ago that is recruiting 200 alternants should raise a red flag.
- Check the email address:
contact@company.comis legitimate,recruitment.alternance2026@gmail.comis not. Typos in the domain name (companny.com,enterprize.co) are classic red flags. - Call the company's switchboard (using the number found on the official website, never the one provided in the message) to confirm the position exists.
- Check the recruiter's LinkedIn profile: account age, career consistency, recommendations from peers.
- Refuse 100% written interviews (SMS, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram). A real employer proposes a phone call or a video meeting on a professional tool (Teams, Meet, Zoom with a company address).
💡 Pro tip: copy-paste a suspicious paragraph into a search engine between quotation marks. If it is a known scam, you will often find other students' testimonies on forums or social networks.
What are the right reflexes when in doubt?
If one red flag is present, stay cautious. If several are present, block the contact and report it. In practice:
- Do not click on links received by SMS or email: always type the official URL into your browser yourself.
- Never transfer money, even to "refund" an overpayment: that is the classic fake-transfer scam.
- Enable SMS alerts on your bank account and monitor your accounts for 30 days after any suspicious exchange.
- Report it on the job board (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.) so the fraudulent listing can be removed.
- Tell your CFA: most of them have a watch unit and quickly alert other students.
To prepare your applications with peace of mind, browse our verified offers on SuperAlternance and our tips for a successful job dating, only with authenticated recruiters.
What to do if you fall victim to a scam?
Don't panic: the faster you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage. Here is the order of actions to take within the first 72 hours:
- Within the hour: call your bank using the number on the back of your card. Ask to block operations, set up a debit block, and — if a transfer was issued — request a funds recall within 24 to 72 hours.
- Within the day: file a report on PHAROS (internet-signalement.gouv.fr), the official portal of the French Ministry of the Interior, then on THESEE via service-public.fr for online scams.
- For emails and SMS: forward them to Signal Spam (signal-spam.fr), a non-profit recognised as being of public utility.
- For free advice: call 0 805 805 817 (Info Escroqueries green line, Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm).
- Within the week: file a complaint at the police station or gendarmerie, or via the online pre-complaint. Bring all the evidence: screenshots, transfer references, email addresses, phone numbers.
- If you are a minor or a vulnerable student: contact 116 006 (France Victimes) for free legal and psychological support.
📞 Useful numbers to note down now:
- 0 805 805 817 — Info Escroqueries (free)
- 116 006 — France Victimes (free, 7/7)
- 3018 — Cyber-harassment (if the scam turns into blackmail)
- 34 14 — your bank (emergency number)
How does SuperAlternance protect you?
On SuperAlternance, every offer is manually verified by our team before being published. Recruiters must provide a valid SIRET, a professional address and a reachable contact. User reports are processed within 24 hours. And all applications go through our secure platform, with no direct exchange of banking data.
Have you spotted a suspicious offer on another site? Compare it with our verified offers and our guide to finding a company before applying.
Alternance remains in 2026 one of the best gateways to lasting employment: in 2024, according to InserJeunes data from the Depp, 62% of apprentices from CAP to BTS level were in employment six months after leaving training. Provided you sign with a real company, verified, under a transparent employment contract. The few minutes you spend checking a doubtful offer will save you weeks of hassle.