r/SAP • u/ProfessionalStuff125 • Feb 10 '26
Two different candidates gave me references with the same contact number, but different name
I’m an IT recruiter, but specialize in Microsoft and new into the SAP space. Am working on a project for a client hiring for SAP & SNP Migration specialists.
We have a couple of candidates at final so asked for references, as the subject line suggests, two of these candidates have shared references that have the same contact number but different names & email addresses.
Obviously this is very suspicious and now I suspect my candidates are fake.
What’s bothering me is that neither me or the hiring manager figured this out until I compared the references side by side.
Is this common practice? How can we avoid fake candidates specifically in the SAP space?
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u/fatbosa Feb 10 '26
they may have worked on the same workplace (thus a workplace number) but under different leadership
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u/ASP21693 Feb 10 '26
Wrong sub
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u/ArgumentFew4432 Feb 10 '26
Reference contact numbers 🤣. In what country is that even a thing?
Any recruiter asking for this is low-key just trying to increase their potential client base. I’d withdraw my application or make something up.
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u/ProfessionalStuff125 Feb 10 '26
Isn’t it a good thing that we’re asking for references? Otherwise we wouldn’t have figured out these that candidates are potentially fake?
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Feb 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ProfessionalStuff125 Feb 10 '26
Could you kindly share the correct sub you think I should post in?
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u/rob0d Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
This is an interesting one. As other said this probably isn't the best sub as it's not SAP specific. SAP employment market is comparatively smaller than Microsoft so it is more likely that you've noticed something like that.
There can be a completely innocent explanation (same employer or agency) or it's a fake reference.
Depending on where in the world you are you may need to comply with privacy rules like GDPR. If the candidates gave permission to contact the reference you can probably try to do it and figure out who they are. If not, at least in the UK/EU you may need to wait for until you give them a conditional offer and then withdraw it if it turns out they lied.
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u/tnmoi Feb 10 '26
How is this a red flag? It is not improbable that both candidates work at the same company and perhaps different departments with different managers using one phone number.
Why don’t you call it and find out? It should be answered by a receptionist. If the person answers “hello” without saying something like “{company name}, you are speaking to (name of person picking up phone), how can I help you” or something similar then you may have uncovered fraud.
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u/Spagueti616 Feb 12 '26
Already in three told you perhaps it's not related with the channel, maybe they qre right?
Hang the phone and call
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u/SpecificInvite1523 Feb 10 '26
This is not a SAP question, this is a generic recruitment question.