Don't Fall for These Job Scams

Posted by Nancy Anderson • Nov 12, 2015

The ability to perform an online job search is a huge benefit to job seekers, saving them time and effort, but the Internet is also a breeding ground for job scams. When you're on the job hunt, beware of these eight common online job scams.

1. Copycat Companies

Watch out for companies that have a name or logo that closely matches a more reputable employer. Some job scammers even use the actual name of a large organization. Do some research on the recruiter and the company before making a move.

2. Vague Job Descriptions

If a job posting lists requirements and skills that are vague and apply to nearly everyone without the need for education, training or work experience, it may be a job scam. Don't provide any personal information until you get more specific details about the position.

3. Trial Employment Period

If a recruiter tells you that you're one of a few selected candidates and asks you to participate in a two- or three-week trial employment period, be leery. Many job scammers use this tactic to collect your personal details and then disappear.

4. Employment Agencies

Some less-than-reputable employment agencies post ads with fake jobs that sound very appealing just to collect information from hopeful job seekers. These agencies often use a bait-and-switch approach, offering a less-enticing position after they have your personal details.

5. Unknown Recruiter

Be skeptical about any unsolicited job offers you receive, whether through email, LinkedIn, Twitter or other means. Research the recruiter using Google and social media before you respond to the offer.

6. Secret Job Lists

Don't fall for job postings that offer to sell you a "secret" job list for federal government positions or U.S. Postal Service jobs. These types of jobs are free to search for and apply online; anyone charging a fee for this information is a scammer.

7. Work From Home

There are a lot of really good work from home opportunities posted on the internet. Unfortunately, there are also potentially bad ones that job seekers will come across while looking for their next opportunity. You should always be extremely cautious when finding a work from home position that requires you to pay a start-up fee or purchase instructions. Little or no income will be generated through these positions.

8. Background Checks

If a recruiter claims the company needs you to pay for a credit report or background check before hiring you, don't fall for it. These scammers are only out for your money and personal information.

When you're already desperate to find a job, the last thing you want is to be taken advantage of by online scammers. During an online job search, pay close attention to the details of the posting. If a job sounds too good to be true, proceed cautiously, as it may be a job scam. Never provide personal details, such as your Social Security number or bank account information, to someone you haven't met.

Sandar W. • Dec 9, 2015

Great information.

Melinda R. • Dec 9, 2015

There's also a "Secret Shopper" one that sends you a check and instructs you to wire money to them, but if you try to cash the check it doesn't clear.

JAMES C. • Dec 9, 2015

Great information here

TED Danciu • Dec 9, 2015

There is another one similar to number 8: You receive an extraordinary enticing offer from overseas. All you have to pay is the processing fee for the visa.

MARIN B. • Dec 9, 2015

Great thanks for good information.

Arlene C. • Dec 9, 2015

Thank you David L.
List of Telltale & Probable Signs

These are all good points. I have not fallen for any of them but I have come close. The one I hate most is " We want to interview you" then it takes you to a page with job listings from all over. Not the area you are looking in. I get at least one a day. I keep unsubscribing to that web search, but it still comes.

Peggy M. • Dec 9, 2015

I also get offers to work from home every day. I ignore them. Even scarier than that I get great sounding job offers to make real good money in the middle east. No Thanks!

John Scott • Dec 9, 2015

Too late!!

EDWARD V. • Dec 9, 2015

I wished I had read this before doing all the jobs searching.

Jeffrey P. • Dec 9, 2015

Listen, I just got another "work from home" solicitation where they say they will mail stuff to me, have me check it over, and then have me forward it to somewhere else. I know this is just a mail fraud dodge, but is there somewhere I can forward emails like this so someone can do something about them?

kimberly d. • Dec 9, 2015

Susan Mathis I totally agree with you!

Elizabeth H. • Dec 9, 2015

Sophia: To distinguish truth from fraud, first ask why a company is outsourcing the work, particularly very simple work. Second, copy and paste the company name into your search engine and see what comes up, No legitimate company needs to hire clerical help to work remotely.

I was scammed and too embarrassed to tell anyone, I felt so stupid. I am an intelligent and educated woman but the scammers get more creative everyday. Thanks David L. for listing some of the warnings of being scammed.

Dear Leslie, There are few work from home jobs that do not require specific skills, such as technical writing in an area of special expertise, that makes it worth the bother for an employer. Otherwise, it is simpler for a company to require employees to come to the office, where work can be supervised.

The other common scam is the package receiving job. You are supposed to receive, inspect and re-ship merchandise. The problem is that it is generally goods bought with stolen credit cards, so you are guilty of receiving stolen goods, and the cops WILL find you, because the credit card records show you as the shipping address. Also, cash this check, keep some, and send the rest in the form of a check on your personal account. Eventually, the original check bounces, and you owe your bank that amount.

benedictus kow edu EDONU • Dec 9, 2015

thanks i have already experienced it

ANDREW FERET • Dec 9, 2015

I'd add if they won't tell you upfront and on the phone exactly what the company does... and even more so if the website doesn't. I'm not opposed to sales, but even the scuzziest car sales job actually has cars to sell.

Leslie C. • Dec 9, 2015

Thanks for the heads up.. Can you recommend legitimate places to look for work from home jobs?

Demetria Tyson • Dec 9, 2015

I was almost scammed. Thankful I didn't fall for the okie doke,

Gwendolyn J. • Dec 9, 2015

Thank you for all this information, I was scammed, I just wish this information was available. Once again thanks.

Sophia Crawford • Dec 9, 2015

It is difficult to distinguish truth from fraud.

David L. • Dec 9, 2015

List of Telltale & Probable Signs
How to Determine if You are Being Recruited for a Bogus Job
1. ( ) Before going in the office’s door, you have not been told anything about the job.
2. ( ) Recruitment of other people is stressed as a major function of position.
2a. ( ) You – will recruit people, and have them working, making money for you.
2b. ( ) They - will recruit other people, who will be making money for them.
2c. ( ) You - will get a cut of the money, from everyone in 2a and 2b.
3. ( ) You must pay money up-front to get the job.
3a. ( ) Initial job expenses will not be taken out of paycheck over time.
4. ( ) Wealth beyond your imagination will be yours.
4a. ( ) You will make more money working part time than your current full time job.
4b ( ) You will then quit your full time job.
5. ( ) Working hard at this job is not required.
5. ( ) Easy sell – product sells its self.
6. ( ) Lots of vacation time is stressed.
7. ( ) No job skills required, we will teach you all you need to know.
7a. ( ) No State License or Permit is required, on a job that normally requires one.
7b. ( ) Idiots, dropouts, business CEOs, and rocket scientists have all been successful.
8. ( ) Look at all of us! ( ) We all got rich! ( ) You can too! ( ) Retire young!
9. ( ) They need more recruits than the US Army... However:
9a. ( ) Too many people already working this job, for the limited size of the job market.
10. ( ) Sell first to friends and relatives, and then sell to their friends and relatives!
10a. ( ) Note: …Your friends and relatives do not owe you a living.
10b ( ) Note: ...You don't owe your friends and relatives a living ...either!
10c. ( ) Here is a prospecting list of thousands of clients and recruits… it’s the phone book.
11. ( ) Everybody gets the job, no standard job application required, just your check.
11a. ( ) You must pay NOW, before the price goes up!
12. ( ) You must pay for unrelated goods and services, to get the job.
12a. ( ) Actually... there is no job, unless you go out and solicit for your own gigs.
13. ( ) Professionals such as bankers do this job for FREE, so why are you being recruited to “Work at Home” transferring money to different accounts? – (Hint - think BANK FRAUD!
14. ( ) The “job” you are interviewing for, such as a “photographer” is just a ploy to sell you a product, such as a camera.
15. ( ) The product you are to sell, such as “Investment Diamonds” (what do YOU know about investment diamonds?) requires that the customer may not open the “Security Package” or the “Guarantee of Grade and Value” is void. They ‘in-house’ Grade their own diamonds.

Eliot S. • Dec 9, 2015

Number one is Don't Pay Anyone Anything for a Job. A legitimate employer is interested in making money from the work you do for them, not a fee they make off of you for applying to work for them. While there are some executive recruitment agencies that actually do provide a useful service, they will explain up-front that they are not offering you a job.

Scott B. • Dec 9, 2015

Thank you for this information I have encountered some of these issues already. Especially paying for background checks.

Don't Fall for These Job Scams

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