Job/Employment Scam: Is It a Scam?
Job scams exploit people seeking employment, stealing personal information or money. They've increased dramatically with remote work, as scammers offer attractive work-from-home positions that don't exist.
How This Scam Works
Job scams typically work like this:
**Fake Job Posting:**
1. You apply for an attractive job posting
2. You're "hired" quickly with little or no interview
3. They request personal info for "onboarding" (SSN, bank details, ID copies)
4. Your identity is stolen
**Advance Fee Scam:**
1. You're offered a position requiring equipment or training
2. They send a check for supplies (fake)
3. They ask you to return the "extra" money
4. The check bounces and you lose your money
**Reshipping/Money Mule:**
1. You're hired to "process packages" or "handle accounts"
2. The job involves receiving stolen goods or laundering money
3. You become an unknowing participant in fraud
Red Flags to Watch For
- Too good to be true salary for simple work
- Hired without an interview
- Asked to pay for training or equipment
- Personal email domains (gmail, yahoo) for company contact
- Vague job descriptions
- Asked for SSN/bank info early
- Sent a check to deposit and forward money
- Can't find company information online
Example Scam Messages
What to Do If You Received This
- Research the company - verify they're real
- Be suspicious of instant hiring
- Never pay for a job
- Don't deposit checks and forward money
- Verify job offers by contacting companies directly
- Use official job boards and company career pages
What to Do If You Fell For It
- Stop all communication with the scammer
- Contact your bank about any deposited checks
- Report identity theft at identitytheft.gov if you shared SSN
- Place a fraud alert on your credit
- Report to the job site where you found the posting
- Report to FTC
How to Report This Scam
- FTC - reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3 - ic3.gov
- Job board - report the fraudulent listing
- State Attorney General
Last updated: January 13, 2026