Official Payment Methods in Saudi Recruitment — How Do You Protect Yourself from Fraud?

Paying for Saudi recruitment isn’t just transferring money. It is the dividing line between a safe, organised experience and a financial disaster in which you could lose thousands of riyals with no refund. With fraud attempts rising in the Saudi market, it has become essential to know the official, approved payment methods and to be able to tell a trusted recruitment company from a fake one waiting for the chance to exploit you.

In this guide we explain in detail the official payment methods approved in Saudi recruitment, why no licensed company asks for a transfer to a personal account, how to spot fraud attempts before falling for them, and what to do if you face a suspicious situation. The goal: to deal with recruitment with complete confidence, knowing when to pay, whom to pay and how to pay safely.

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What are the official payment methods approved in Saudi recruitment?

The approved payment methods in Saudi recruitment are limited and documented. Each one works within an official framework that protects your rights and prevents fraud. Understanding these methods is your first line of defence.

Method one: paying through the official Musaned platform

Musaned is the official government recruitment portal in Saudi Arabia. Payment is made by card (mada, Visa, Mastercard). This is the safest method because it:

• Is linked directly to the government authorities.
• Provides an instant electronic receipt.
• Doesn’t go through intermediaries.
• Is under full government oversight.

Method two: point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the company’s branches

Licensed Saudi recruitment companies have physical branches, and each branch has POS terminals that accept mada and credit cards. Paying by POS:

• Happens at the company’s physical branch.
• Gives you an official receipt with the amount paid, the company name and the transaction date.
• Ensures the money goes into the company’s official bank account, not to any individual.

Method three: bank transfer to the company’s official IBAN

A licensed Saudi recruitment company has a bank account registered in the company’s name. The IBAN for this account is stated clearly in the electronic contract you sign. Transferring to it:

• Goes from your bank account to the company’s official account.
• Is made through the Saudi bank you use.
• Leaves a clear bank record that can be proven if any dispute arises.

Ekal Human Resources uses Riyad Bank as its official channel for transfers, and the IBAN is written explicitly in the electronic contract before any payment request.

Method four: bank instalments through the Musaned platform

Some Saudi banks offer instalments for Saudi recruitment fees. This service runs through the Musaned platform itself, on terms set by the bank. Bank instalments:

• Make the bank the financial party that carries the risk.
• Spread the amount over several months on clear terms.
• Are subject to banking oversight and Saudi Central Bank regulations.

Why has fraud become more common in Saudi recruitment?

The rise in fraud attempts in Saudi recruitment has objective causes. Understanding them helps you stay alert.

Rising demand for recruitment

With growing demand for live-in workers in Saudi Arabia, fake companies have appeared trying to exploit families looking for a quick service. High demand creates fertile ground for fraudsters.

Rapid digital transformation

Contact through apps and WhatsApp has made it easier to reach clients, but it has also opened the door to fraudsters impersonating real companies without actually belonging to them.

Price differences

Prices in the market aren’t standard. Fraudsters exploit this to put out “attractive offers” that are actually scams.

Low awareness of how the official procedures work

Many families, especially those recruiting for the first time, don’t know how the official procedures work: who issues the visa, who receives payment, which documents are required. This relative lack of knowledge makes fraud easier.

No direct contact

Recruitment happens in stages, and between stages there are gaps in communication. Fraudsters exploit these gaps to pose as the company.

What is the difference between paying directly and paying through Musaned?

The question that confuses many Saudi families: do I pay the company directly, or through Musaned? The answer is a little complicated, but it makes sense once the procedures are broken down.

Fees that go to the Musaned platform

• Work visa fees.
• Electronic authorisation fees.
• Electronic contract fees.

These fees are paid directly through the Musaned platform and go to the relevant government authorities. The recruitment company can’t change them, as they are set government fees.

Fees that go to the Saudi recruitment company

• The fee for recruitment services (operations, follow-up, selection).
• Part of the cost of tickets and medical tests.
• Health insurance.
• The salary paid to the worker later.
• Delivery costs.

These fees are paid directly to the recruitment company by POS at the branch or to the company’s IBAN. Everything paid to the company must be documented in the electronic contract.

How do you know which amount goes to whom?

The electronic contract you sign through Musaned sets out:

• What you pay through Musaned.
• What you pay the recruitment company.
• The total amount.

Read the contract carefully before signing, and ask the company about anything unclear.

What is an IBAN, and why must it be in the company’s name?

The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is the standard international number for a bank account. Every bank account in Saudi Arabia has a unique IBAN.

How do you recognise a company’s official IBAN?

• A Saudi IBAN starts with SA followed by 22 digits.
• It is registered at the bank in the company’s name (not a person’s).
• It is stated in the electronic contract and on the company’s official website.
• It belongs to an approved Saudi bank (such as Riyad Bank, SNB, Al Rajhi, etc.).

Why does it matter that it’s in the company’s name and not a person’s?

• A licensed company doesn’t receive money into personal accounts.
• A transfer to a personal account means the money goes to someone the company can’t officially hold to account.
• If there is a dispute, you can’t prove the money was paid to the company.

What do you do if you’re asked to transfer to a personal name?

• Refuse immediately.
• Call the company’s official unified number from its website.
• Check whether the request really came from the company or is impersonation.
• If it turns out to be impersonation, report it to the authorities.

What are point-of-sale (POS) terminals in company branches?

POS terminals are the electronic payment devices in companies’ physical branches. Paying through them is one of the safest methods.

How does paying by POS work?

• You go to the company’s branch in person.
• You hand your credit or mada card to the relevant employee.
• You enter your card PIN.
• You get an official receipt showing the amount, company name, date and transaction number.

Advantages of paying by POS

• Payment happens at the physical branch, so there is no room for impersonation.
• The instant receipt serves as legal proof.
• The transaction appears on your bank statement with the company’s name.
• You can visit the branch in person and confirm the company really exists.

Practical advice

On your first visit to the branch, take this question with you: “What is the company’s official bank IBAN?” — if they answer quickly and give you the number without hesitation, all is normal. If they hesitate or give you a personal account number, that is a clear warning sign.

When do warning signs appear in a payment request?

Every payment request has certain features. Suspicious requests have signs you can spot before transferring.

Sign one: a request to transfer to a personal account

For example, being told “transfer to my account and we’ll transfer it to the company’s account”. This is never right. A licensed company receives payments directly.

Sign two: unjustified time pressure

“Transfer now or you’ll miss the offer”, “last day of the discount”, “last chance to book”. A company confident in its service doesn’t need this pressure.

Sign three: a request through an unofficial channel

Contact through a WhatsApp number not published on the company’s official website, or through a random email.

Sign four: no written contract before payment

Every payment should come after signing an electronic contract through Musaned. If you’re asked to pay before the contract, stop immediately.

Sign five: full advance payment before the procedures begin

The procedures start with documented staged payments, not a full payment before any procedure.

Sign six: refusing to issue a receipt

Every official payment must have an electronic or paper receipt. Insisting on not issuing a receipt is an outright sign of fraud.

Sign seven: a change of IBAN

If the company sends you a new IBAN after the procedures have started, call the unified number to check. This is a well-known way of hacking correspondence and diverting money to fraudsters.

Why does no company have the right to ask for a transfer to a personal account?

This is a key point to keep firmly in mind as a Saudi mother dealing with recruitment.

From a regulatory point of view

• Companies licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources are subject to financial oversight.
• All financial transactions must be transparent and documented.
• Transfers to personal accounts breach the licensing requirements.

From a risk point of view

• The money goes to someone who can’t be held to account in the company’s name.
• If there is a dispute, there is no legal proof the money was paid to the company.
• The company can disclaim responsibility on the grounds that the money never reached its official account.

From a tracking point of view

• Transfers to personal accounts are hard to trace.
• Their purpose can’t be proven legally.
• If you complain to the authorities, the evidence is very weak.

The only acceptable exception

There isn’t one. There is not a single case in which a licensed recruitment company may ask for a transfer to a personal account. Any request of this kind, whatever the excuse, is either fraud or a serious violation by an unauthorised employee.

What are the common fraud methods in Saudi recruitment?

Knowing the common fraud methods in Saudi recruitment is your most important line of defence. Fraudsters repeat well-known tactics, so knowing the list protects you.

Impersonating a well-known company

The fraudster claims to be from a well-known recruitment company (such as Ekal or another), uses the company’s name in their messages, then asks for a transfer to a personal account. The real company knows nothing about the request.

The fake website

The fraudster creates a website that looks like a well-known company’s site, with a very similar domain name (such as eikal.com instead of ekalsa.com), and takes payments there.

The tempting price

A price far below the market, with pressure to decide quickly. The money goes in, and the worker never comes.

Fake apps in the app stores

Apps that claim to offer recruitment services but are a way of collecting victims’ financial data.

Contact on behalf of a real company

Someone claims to be an “agent” or “coordinator” with the company and asks for the transfer to go through them in return for speeding up the procedures.

Fraud by changing the IBAN in correspondence

The fraudster hacks the client’s or company’s email and changes the IBAN on the invoice sent. The client transfers to a fraudulent IBAN without knowing.

How do you protect yourself from all these methods?

• Always check the company’s official contact channels.
• Only deal with companies licensed on the Musaned platform.
• Check the IBAN from two different sources before transferring (the website, the branch employee, the contract).
• Call the company’s published unified number on its website to confirm before any step.

How do you protect your financial data when paying?

Protecting your financial data is just as important as protecting the money itself. A few simple steps reduce the risks considerably.

When paying through Musaned or POS

• Use your own cards, not someone else’s.
• Don’t share the card number, expiry date or CVV over WhatsApp or the phone.
• Use two-step verification (OTP) when available.
• Keep the electronic receipt immediately after paying.

When making a bank transfer

• Check the IBAN twice before confirming.
• Use your bank’s official app, not an unapproved one.
• Review the beneficiary details shown on the app screen before transferring.
• Keep the transfer receipt (PDF or screenshot).

After paying

• Check your bank account a few hours after the transaction.
• If you notice any unexpected deduction, call your bank immediately.
• Keep a copy of the contract, the receipt and your messages somewhere safe.

An important precaution

Before any large transfer, make a small test transfer (SAR 10, for example) and confirm it reached the right account. Then transfer the rest. This simple step protects you from IBAN errors or sophisticated fraud.

What do you do if you face a fraud attempt?

If you suspect or are sure you have faced a fraud attempt, acting quickly reduces your losses.

Step one: check your suspicions

• Call the company’s official unified number from its website.
• Ask whether the company really sent the transfer request.
• If they deny it, it is fraud.

Step two: if you have already transferred the money

• Call your bank immediately and ask them to stop or reverse the transfer if possible.
• Some banks offer a chance of recovery if you contact them within a few hours.
• Keep all the evidence (messages, receipts, conversations).

Step three: report it officially

• Report the crime to the police with all the evidence.
• Report it to the Ministry of Human Resources if the fraudster impersonated a recruitment company.
• Report it to the official Musaned platform.
• Alert the real company if its name was used.

Step four: protect your information after the incident

• Change the passwords for your bank accounts.
• Turn on transaction notifications on your phone.
• Monitor your bank account over the following weeks.
• Avoid using the same contact channels the fraudster used.

Are bank instalments through Musaned safe?

Bank instalments through the Musaned platform are one of the safest payment methods in recruitment, especially for families who want to spread the amount over several months.

How do bank instalments through Musaned work?

• You choose the instalment service through the Musaned platform.
• The approved bank pays the full amount to the recruitment company on your behalf.
• You repay the bank in the agreed monthly instalments.
• Any interest is set and documented in the bank instalment contract.

Advantages of bank instalments

• The bank is the financial party that carries the risk.
• The instalment terms are clear and organised.
• You don’t need to pay the full amount up front.
• It protects your monthly cash flow.

What you should know before choosing instalments

• Read the bank instalment terms carefully.
• Check the interest rate (if any) and whether it is Sharia-compliant.
• Check the terms for late payment and the related penalties.
• Find out what happens if you want to pay early.

Financing from non-bank finance companies

Some families use finance companies outside the banks. This option needs extra checks on:

• The company’s licence from the Saudi Central Bank.
• The contract terms, carefully.
• The interest rate and whether it is Sharia-compliant.

Bank instalments through Musaned remain the safest and most transparent option.

What is the difference between an official receipt and a temporary invoice?

The receipt is the most important legal proof of your transaction. Understanding the difference between types of receipt protects you if any dispute arises.

The official receipt

It includes:

• The company’s full name and commercial registration number.
• The government licence number.
• The exact date and time of the transaction.
• The amount in figures and words.
• The item paid for (what the payment is for).
• The company stamp or the signature of the relevant employee.
• A serial number for the receipt.

An electronic receipt issued by POS or the Musaned platform contains the same details digitally.

The temporary invoice

Used in some cases before the final official receipt is issued. It should reference the original transaction and have a set expiry date.

Red flag: a handwritten receipt

A handwritten receipt without any of the company’s official details is not a legal receipt. It is a worthless piece of paper in any dispute. Refuse to accept a handwritten receipt as proof of your payment.

Keeping receipts

• Keep an electronic copy (PDF or screenshot) of every receipt.
• Store them in an organised digital folder (cloud, email, phone storage).
• Keep a paper copy too in a file just for recruitment.
• Don’t throw away any receipt before the contract has fully ended.

How does the electronic contract through Musaned protect your financial rights?

The electronic contract through the Musaned platform isn’t just a piece of paper; it is a legal tool that protects every party.

What the electronic contract contains

• The sponsor’s name and ID number.
• The worker’s name, nationality and travel details.
• The recruitment company’s name and licence number.
• The total amount and the payment stages.
• The full terms of service.
• The replacement and guarantee terms.
• The contract period and end date.
• An approved digital signature from every party.

How it protects you if there is a dispute

• The contract is recorded in a government database.
• Each party can refer to its official copy.
• If there is a dispute, it is an enforceable legal reference.
• It sets out precisely who is responsible for what.

Important advice

Read the whole electronic contract before signing. Don’t assume “everything will be normal”; check for yourself. If you find an unclear clause, ask the company about it before signing.

What is Ekal’s role in protecting its clients?

Ekal Human Resources takes protecting its clients completely seriously and uses only official channels.

Ekal’s commitments on payment protection

• We never ask for transfers to personal accounts under any circumstances.
• We have an official bank account at Riyad Bank, and the IBAN is stated in the electronic contract.
• All our 5 branches in Riyadh have POS terminals.
• The electronic contract is issued through the official Musaned platform.

Official contact with Ekal

• Unified number: 920033993
• Official WhatsApp: 0536033993
• The official website for booking and the IBAN

Important notice

If someone contacts you claiming to be from Ekal and asks for a transfer to a personal account, be careful — this is not the company. Contact the official unified number directly to check before taking any step.

Ekal’s philosophy

Ekal is built on the motto “Leave it to us”. Transparency in payment is part of that motto. You deal with us with complete confidence, knowing whom you are paying and how, with no surprises or ambiguity.

Contact Ekal

To complete recruitment procedures with safe, documented payment through official channels, contact the Ekal team:

• WhatsApp: 0536033993
• Unified number: 920033993
• Website: request our domestic services for individuals

Our team will help you:

• Explaining every price item with complete transparency before any payment.
• Providing the official electronic contract through the Musaned platform.
• Guiding you to the official, approved payment methods only.
• Providing the official bank IBAN in writing in the contract.
• Following up with you at every stage without unofficial contact channels.

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Frequently asked questions

1. What are the official payment methods approved in Saudi recruitment?

The only official methods in Saudi recruitment are: paying by card through the official Musaned platform, paying by POS at the licensed company’s branch, bank transfer to the IBAN registered in the company’s name in the electronic contract, and bank instalments through the Musaned platform. Any payment method outside these is a warning sign.

2. Can a Saudi recruitment company ask for a transfer to a personal account?

No, never. A licensed recruitment company only receives payments by POS at the branch or to an IBAN registered in the company’s name. Any request to transfer to a personal account is a clear sign of fraud; refuse it immediately and check with the official company through the unified number published on its website.

3. What is the difference between paying Musaned and paying the recruitment company?

Some fees go directly to the Musaned platform (work visa, electronic authorisation, electronic contract), and some go to the recruitment company (operating services, tickets, medical tests, insurance, salary, delivery). The electronic contract sets out exactly what you pay each party, so read it carefully before signing.

4. How do I make sure the IBAN really belongs to the company?

A Saudi IBAN starts with SA followed by 22 digits. When transferring through your bank’s app, the beneficiary (account holder) name appears before you confirm. Make sure the name shown is the company’s full name and not a person’s. Ekal uses Riyad Bank, and the IBAN is written in the electronic contract.

5. Are bank instalments through Musaned safe?

Yes, they are one of the safest methods. Instalments go through an approved Saudi bank: the bank pays the full amount to the recruitment company on your behalf, and you repay the bank in monthly instalments on clear terms. Read the instalment terms (interest, instalment period, late payment terms) carefully before signing.

6. What do I do if someone calls claiming to be from a recruitment company and asks for an immediate transfer?

Don’t transfer the money. Call the company’s official unified number from its official website to check. If the request really came from the company, they will have a record of it. If they deny it, it is fraud. Report it to the police, the Ministry of Human Resources and the Musaned platform to protect others.

7. What happens if I transferred money to a fraudulent account?

Call your bank immediately and ask them to stop or reverse the transfer. Some banks offer a chance of recovery if you contact them within a few hours of the transaction. Keep all the evidence (receipts, messages, conversations) and file an official report with the police and the relevant authorities. Acting fast greatly reduces your losses.

8. Do I have to pay the full amount up front?

No. The official procedures are paid in stages, each linked to a specific milestone (visa, medical tests, tickets, etc.). Insisting on full payment before any procedure begins is a warning sign. Read the electronic contract carefully to know the payment dates and what each payment covers.

9. Are recruitment apps safe for payment?

Trusted apps from licensed recruitment companies in the official app stores (Google Play and the App Store) can be safe, provided payment goes through approved bank gateways and through the Musaned platform for government fees. Avoid unofficial apps or apps that ask for your financial details without protection. Contact Ekal to confirm our official digital channels.

10. How do I deal with Ekal to pay safely?

Contact Ekal on the official WhatsApp 0536033993 or the unified number 920033993, or visit the official website. You will receive a detailed electronic contract through the Musaned platform containing Ekal’s bank IBAN at Riyad Bank. Payment is made by POS at one of our 5 branches in Riyadh, to the IBAN stated in the contract, or through the Musaned platform for government fees. Leave it to us.

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Contact us:
Ekal Human Resources Company

☎️ Unified number
9200-33-993

📠 Fax
+966-11-510-4949

📧 Email
info@ekalsa.com

🌍 Website
www.ekalsa.com

📌 Address
Head office: Riyadh, King Abdulaziz District, Ibn Kathir Street, Building No. 7304, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

📮 Mailing address
P.O. Box 10133, Riyadh 11433