Recruiter on job board asks for SSN before interview

The contact began after a job-board application. A recruiter said the applicant was still under consideration for a remote role and could move directly into paperwork. The message used a company name the applicant recognized, then asked for a driver's license, Social Security number, and bank details for direct deposit. That order is the problem. Identity and payroll details come after a verified hiring process, not before an interview. The scammer uses the presence of a real company name to reduce doubt. The email address, phone number, and interview process usually do not match the actual employer. Do not send government ID, Social Security numbers, bank routing numbers, or payroll forms to a recruiter who contacted you from a personal account or messaging app. Go to the employer's careers page, find the job there, and verify the recruiter through a corporate address or public switchboard.