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● HIGH RISK

Job Scam

A job listing that is really a harvest — for your personal information, an upfront "fee," or your unwitting help laundering money through fake checks. Legitimate employers do not charge you to work or mail you a check to deposit and forward. If the offer arrives before any real interview, be suspicious.

Losses: $501 million (FTC 2024)
Targets: Job seekers, remote workers, college students
Updated: 2026-01-06
Also known as: Employment Scam · Work From Home Scam · Fake Job Listing
01

How It Works

Employment scams take many forms: **Fake Job Listing:** - Posting looks legitimate but company doesn't exist - Interview is via chat only (no video) - "Hired" quickly without real interview - Asked for personal info, bank details, or fees **Reshipping Scam:** - Hired as "shipping coordinator" or "quality control" - Receive packages at home, reship to another address - Packages are goods bought with stolen credit cards - You become a money mule unknowingly **Check Overpayment:** - Employer sends check for supplies/equipment - Check is more than needed, asked to return difference - Original check bounces, you lose money sent back
How Scammers Make Contact
Job boardsLinkedInEmailText messages
02

Warning Signs & Red Flags

  • Job pays very well for minimal work
  • Interview only via chat or text, never video
  • Asked to pay for equipment, training, or background check
  • Job requires receiving and forwarding packages
  • Asked to deposit check and send money back
  • Request for banking info early in process
  • Job posting has many typos or inconsistencies
  • Company can't be verified through research
03

Real-World Example

"I was hired as a 'remote customer service rep' after a quick chat interview. They sent me a $3,500 check for equipment and said to buy a laptop and send back $1,800 for their 'proprietary software.' The check bounced after I'd already sent $1,800. I lost the money and the 'job' disappeared."

— FTC Consumer Complaint
04

How to Protect Yourself

  • Research the company thoroughly before applying
  • Never pay for job opportunities
  • Be suspicious of jobs that are too easy to get
  • Real jobs require interviews, not just chat
  • Never deposit checks from new employers
  • Don't accept jobs reshipping packages
  • Verify job postings through the company's official website
  • Use LinkedIn to verify recruiters work for the company
05

What To Do If You're a Victim

  1. 1Stop all contact with the scammer
  2. 2If you deposited a check, contact your bank immediately
  3. 3If you sent money, try to reverse the transaction
  4. 4If you gave SSN/personal info, place a fraud alert on your credit
  5. 5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  6. 6Report to the job board where you found the listing
  7. 7Report to your state attorney general
Report This Scam
FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Job Scam?

A job listing that is really a harvest — for your personal information, an upfront "fee," or your unwitting help laundering money through fake checks. Legitimate employers do not charge you to work or mail you a check to deposit and forward. If the offer arrives before any real interview, be suspicious.

What are the warning signs of Job Scam?

Job pays very well for minimal work. Interview only via chat or text, never video. Asked to pay for equipment, training, or background check. Job requires receiving and forwarding packages. Asked to deposit check and send money back.

How do I protect myself from Job Scam?

Research the company thoroughly before applying. Never pay for job opportunities. Be suspicious of jobs that are too easy to get. Real jobs require interviews, not just chat.

What should I do if I'm a victim of Job Scam?

Stop all contact with the scammer. If you deposited a check, contact your bank immediately. If you sent money, try to reverse the transaction. If you gave SSN/personal info, place a fraud alert on your credit.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this high risk. Reported losses: $501 million (FTC 2024). Most exposed: Job seekers, remote workers, college students.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Job Scam?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
  1. 01FTC: Job Scams
  2. 02FBI: Employment Scams
Related Scams

Task Scam

A "work from home" gig pays small commissions for simple tasks — liking videos, rating products — until you are asked to deposit your own money to "unlock" higher earnings. The early payouts are bait. The deposit is the scam, and it does not come back.

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