Job & Employment Scams
Job Scam
Fake job listings that steal personal information, charge upfront fees, or trick you into money laundering or check fraud schemes.
Reported Losses
$501 million (FTC 2024)
Primary Targets
Job seekers, remote workers, college students
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
Employment Scam
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam 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
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️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
📝 Real Victim Account
"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
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Research the company thoroughly before applying
- 2Never pay for job opportunities
- 3Be suspicious of jobs that are too easy to get
- 4Real jobs require interviews, not just chat
- 5Never deposit checks from new employers
- 6Don't accept jobs reshipping packages
- 7Verify job postings through the company's official website
- 8Use LinkedIn to verify recruiters work for the company
🆘 What to Do If You're a Victim
- 1Stop all contact with the scammer
- 2If you deposited a check, contact your bank immediately
- 3If you sent money, try to reverse the transaction
- 4If you gave SSN/personal info, place a fraud alert on your credit
- 5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 6Report to the job board where you found the listing
- 7Report to your state attorney general
🔗 Related Scams
📚 Sources & References
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