Issued October 2023 / Updated September 2025

Avoiding Job Scams

The Better Business Bureau states that job scams make Americans lose $2 billion annually. Job scams appear more prevalent and are starting to appear on professional employment websites with job listings. Here are some general guidelines to consider when applying for jobs:

An illustration of a hooded figure with a blurred face, sitting in front of a laptop, surrounded by digital code and binary data, symbolizing cyber scams and hacking.
A hand holding a smartphone with a glowing red and yellow warning sign that reads 'SCAM ALERT' against a blue background.
A signpost with two signs, one reading "Trusted" and the other "Reliable," against a blue sky with some clouds. Below the signpost, there is a block of text describing trusted job sites like USAjobs.gov and Careeronestop.org, with details about their uses for job seekers, students, and career advisors.
A digital illustration of a person working at a laptop with a skull symbol on the screen, representing malicious hacking or scam.

Protecting yourself against Job Scams- General Tips:

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Red Flags

A list of red flags indicating potential job scams, including requests for wire transfers, upfront payments, vague job descriptions, and job offers without applications or interviews.

General Tips

Text-based quote about job applications and offers, warning to not accept offers when you didn't apply or feel rushed, and advising against downloading attachments or links.
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Click Here for the BBB Scam Tracker Portal
Screenshot of a PDF document from Europa Editions with a free sample or offer letter for a remote beta reader position, including company logo, date, and details about the job and benefits.

Below are some job and general scams I have received. Although some of these businesses are real, the individuals portraying to be affiliated with the company are not. You can click the document(s) to view the items closer.

Job and General Scam Examples

Fake Job Offer Letter

Take a closer look
A scanned employment contract document from Pioneer Youth and Adult Community Services, detailing job position, responsibilities, benefits, and compensation for a remote customer service role.

Fake Job Offer Letter

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Text message from an unknown sender promoting a remote job opportunity with details about pay, training, and requirements.

Fake Recruiters

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Screenshot of an email invoice from PayPal for a payment of $499.99 USD sent by Pro Creative Marketing Group, including details, invoice number, and contact information.

Email Scam

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What to do if you are scammed:

  • If you fall victim to a job scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-382-4357. The website is ReportFraud.ftc.gov. There is a video on how to file a report.

  • It is also recommended that you alert the source (I.e., social media forum, job board) where the scam appeared to help prevent further scammers.

  • You can report spam or phishing email messages in Outlook.

  • You can contact your bank to notify them that you may have been a victim of identity theft.

  • Request a freeze on all your bank accounts and order new debit cards.

  • Update your passwords for all your online accounts.

    • When you may have unintentionally shared information, scammers can use that information to bypass your security questions to gain access to your accounts.

References

 How To Avoid Fraudulent Job Scams. (n.d.). FSU. https://www.framingham.edu/student-life/student-experience-and-career-development/career-development/how-to-avoid-job-scams/

Job scams. (2023, September 8). Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams#examples

Kelly, J. (2023, June 1). Fake Job Scams Are Becoming More Common—Here’s How To Protect Yourself. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2023/06/01/fake-job-scams-are-becoming-more-common-heres-how-to-protect-yourself/?sh=142ba6f218f6

Knowles, M. (2023). Is This Job For Real? Welcome to the World Of Job Scams and How to Avoid Becoming the Next Victim. All About Cookies. https://allaboutcookies.org/how-to-avoid-job-scams

Phr, K. P. (2023, July 21). 17 Common Job Scams and How To Protect Yourself. Indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/job-scams

Salai, S. (2023, January 27). Remote work scams target laid-off Americans with fake interviews. The Washington Times. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/jan/27/remote-work-scams-target-laid-americans-fake-inter/

Today, J. C. T. J. U. (2023, July 18). Searching LinkedIn or Indeed? Here’s how to avoid job scams: Ask HR. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2023/07/18/how-to-avoid-job-scams/70411911007/

Vasel, K. (2022, June 8). Job scams are on the rise. Watch out for these red flags. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/08/success/job-scams/index.html

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