With the rise of remote work and online job boards, it can be difficult to tell whether a job posting is legitimate or a scam. There are a few key things you can look for to help determine if an opportunity is real or fake.
What are signs of a scam job?
Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- The job posting is very vague about the role, company, or qualifications needed.
- They promise very high pay for little work or experience required.
- They want you to pay money upfront for training, certifications, or materials.
- The contact email is from a free webmail account (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) instead of a company domain.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes in the job posting.
- They want to interview or hire you without even seeing your resume.
- It’s a work-from-home job that requires you to cash checks, wire money, or ship packages for them.
Any single one of these factors alone doesn’t necessarily mean the job is a scam, but the more red flags you see, the more cautious you should be about pursuing the opportunity.
What are signs of a legitimate job?
On the other hand, here are some positive indicators that a job posting is likely legitimate:
- The role, responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation are clearly defined.
- The company is easy to research online and has an established web presence.
- The job is listed on the company’s official career site instead of just third-party boards.
- The contact email uses the company domain instead of a free webmail account.
- There is a formal application process, like submitting a resume and being interviewed.
- The role aligns with common positions and pay rates in your industry.
- Friends, former employees, or industry contacts are familiar with the company posting the ad.
Again, none of these guarantee the job is 100% legitimate either, but they are positive signs. The more of these indicators you see, the more likely the opportunity is real.
How can I verify a potential employer?
Here are some tips for vetting an employer:
- Search online: Look up the company name, job title, and hiring manager. See what information comes up on their website, social media, news articles, LinkedIn profiles, etc.
- Check business directories: Search official directories like CorporationWiki or Manta to see if the company is registered as a legal business entity.
- Call the office: Calling can help confirm that the business has a real physical office space and phone number.
- Connect on LinkedIn: See if you’re connected to any current or former employees who can give insight about the workplace.
- Look up the address: Google street view the business address to see if it appears to be a real office, not a residential building.
- Ask for references: Request 2-3 references from current employees that you can call or email yourself to ask about their experience.
Taking the time to thoroughly vet the company can help you avoid walking into a scam. Some industries also have licensing databases you can check to confirm someone is a registered professional.
What questions should I ask about a job offer?
Here are some important questions to ask before accepting an offer:
- What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
- What training is provided to new hires?
- Who will I be reporting to directly?
- Are there opportunities for advancement or growth?
- How will my performance be measured for reviews?
- Is the company financially stable? Is the role dependent on acquiring funding?
- What benefits like insurance, PTO, and retirement plans are offered?
- Is the compensation (salary, commission, stock options) guaranteed or variable?
- Is travel required? If so, how frequently and to where?
- What are the usual working hours and schedules?
- Are there policies about remote work, sick time, or vacation?
Make sure you understand all the key details before accepting so there are no major surprises down the road. Ask follow up questions if any aspects of the role or compensation are unclear.
What employment or tax paperwork should I complete?
Reputable U.S. employers will require some standard employment and tax paperwork. Here are some common documents you’ll need to provide:
- Employment eligibility verification (I-9): Confirms you are legally authorized to work in the United States.
- W-4 tax form: Indicates your tax withholding allowances for payroll purposes.
- Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate: Determines state income tax withholding amounts.
- Direct deposit authorization: Provides your bank account information for pay deposits.
- Confidentiality or IP agreements: Contracts to protect company confidential information or intellectual property.
- Employee handbook acknowledgment: Confirms you have read and understood company policies.
- Benefits enrollment forms: Sign up for health insurance, retirement accounts, transit subsidies, etc.
Completing these documents is standard for legitimate jobs. Be wary if an employer asks you to complete unusual forms or tax documents that compromise your personal information.
What are some common work-from-home job scams?
Here are some of the most frequent scam offers targeting remote workers:
Scam Type | What They Claim | Red Flags |
---|---|---|
Fake checks | You’ll cash checks for their “company” and wire back funds. | No legitimate employer will send you large checks and ask you to wire money. |
Secret shopper | You’ll pose as a customer and evaluate businesses. | Scammers spoof real secret shopper jobs but send fake checks. |
Stuffing envelopes | You’ll get paid per envelope you stuff and mail out. | Stuffing real envelopes is rarely an actual job. |
MLM schemes | You’ll sell products and recruit others to build your “downline.” | MLMs prioritize recruitment over actual product sales. |
Mystery shopping | You’ll visit stores and restaurants to evaluate them. | Scammers lure applicants then steal their ID for identity fraud. |
Recruiting assistants | You’ll review and forward job applications for their “company.” | Scammers use your inbox to collect applicant personal data. |
Craft assembly jobs | You’ll assemble crafts or jewelry at home for pay. | Scammers leave applicants unpaid after finished products ship. |
The safest policy is to avoid any job involving cashing checks, mailing packages, or sharing your personal ID. Real remote jobs will pay you directly for your work.
How can I avoid job scams on job boards?
While job boards open up more opportunities, they also expose you to more potential scams. Here’s how to job hunt safely:
- Vet unfamiliar companies thoroughly: Don’t take unknown employers at face value just because they’re posted on a job site.
- Apply directly on company sites: Scammers rarely take the time to list fake jobs across multiple platforms.
- Beware vague, generalized posts: Jobs using stock descriptions could be fishing for applicant data.
- Watch for suspicious email domains: Scammers use free accounts instead of company emails.
- Don’t disclose personal info upfront: Withhold sensitive data like SSN until you’ve fully vetted the employer.
- Never pay for a job placement: Real employers don’t charge fees as a hiring condition.
- Talk to real employees: Ask to contact someone working there to ask about their experience.
Taking these precautions takes more work, but can save you from wasting time on fake offers or falling for a scam.
What are signs of a fraudulent job interview?
Odd or suspicious interview behavior could indicate something is off about the role. Watch for:
- They don’t ask about your qualifications or experience.
- Offering the job immediately without even reviewing your resume.
- Confusing or rambling answers when you ask for more detail about the role.
- They seem much more interested in you revealing personal information.
- Requests for ID photos, passport details, bank accounts, or access to run a credit check.
- Offers or guarantees of salary amounts before discussing your background.
- Interviews conducted via Google Hangouts or other unusual platforms.
- Requests to interview late at night or outside traditional business hours.
- You cannot find any of their supposed employees profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
No legitimate interviewer will extend a formal job offer without thoroughly vetting your abilities first or pressure you to submit sensitive personal documentation.
What are signs of fraud in an employment contract?
Employment agreements from shady employers often include some questionable clauses. Watch for:
- They want you to pay for your own background check or other onboarding expenses.
- Charging fees if you quit before a minimum period of employment.
- Very broad non-compete clauses barring work in your entire industry.
- Confusing terms around compensation, like constantly fluctuating base pay.
- Requirements to work excessive hours with no overtime pay.
- Language allowing them to make unlawful deductions from your paycheck.
- Policies stating you cannot discuss your pay with other employees.
- Intellectual property terms giving them full rights to work you create.
Employment lawyers can help review any concerning clauses in a contract and negotiate better terms or separation agreements if needed.
What steps can I take if I’m the victim of a job scam?
If you’ve been defrauded by a fake job offer, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Notify your bank: Alert them to any fraudulent checks, account access, or wire transfers.
- Report to the FTC: File a scam complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
- Dispute with credit bureaus: If your identity is compromised, dispute any fraudulent accounts opened.
- Change passwords: Update passwords on all your online accounts as a security precaution.
- Monitor statements: Watch for any suspicious transactions from your bank, credit cards, retirement accounts, etc.
- Consider a credit freeze: Freezing your credit reports can block thieves opening new accounts.
- Consult an attorney: They can advise if you have grounds to take any legal action to recover lost money.
Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to get funds back once you’ve been scammed. Act quickly to contain the damage and prevent further identity theft.
Conclusion
Searching for jobs today requires diligence to avoid increasingly sophisticated employment scams designed to steal your money and your personal information. There are no guaranteed ways to verify every opportunity, but watching for red flags, thoroughly vetting employers, and avoiding sketchy interview practices can help you spot the fakes. With caution and common sense, you can find legitimate telecommuting or remote work that aligns with your skills and qualifications.