Fake job offers, checks you must deposit and send back, paying for training, and stealing your documents. Signs and what to do.
Newcomers looking for work are a favorite target of scammers. Most job scams follow the same few patterns.
Common scams
Fake check: they "hire" you, send a check for equipment, and ask you to send part of the money back or to a "vendor". The check bounces days later and you owe the bank.
Pay to work: they ask you to pay for training, a starter kit, a certification or a "visa processing" fee before you start.
Reshipping: you receive packages at home and send them on. The goods are usually stolen, and you may be part of a crime.
Too easy, too much money: "$50 an hour for liking posts" or "data entry from home, no experience". Some ask you to "deposit" money to unlock tasks.
Fake recruiters: messages on WhatsApp, Telegram or text from a "recruiter" for a famous company. Interviews by chat only.
Identity theft: they ask for your SSN, passport and bank login before any real interview.
Visa sponsorship for a fee: a real employer never sells you a visa.
Signs of a scam
You got the job without a real interview.
They contact you from a personal email (Gmail, Outlook) or a chat app only.
They pay you before you do any work.
They rush you: "Answer in one hour or lose the job."
Spelling mistakes and a company website that is new or does not exist.
Check before you trust
1
Search the company name plus "scam".
2
Find the job on the company's official website careers page.
3
Call the company using the phone number on its official website, not the one in the message.
4
Real employers ask for your SSN, I-9 documents and bank details only after you accept an offer, usually through an HR system.
If it happened to you
1
Stop sending money. Do not deposit any more checks.
2
Call your bank at once and ask them to stop or reverse payments.
3
If you shared your SSN, freeze your credit. See Free credit reports, freezes and fraud alerts.
4
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common mistakes
Thinking money in your account after a check deposit means the check is good. It can still bounce weeks later.
Feeling ashamed and saying nothing. Reporting helps you and others.