You should be aware of these schemes in case someone asks you to participate, or in case you see fraudulent activity. Indicators of potential fraud include the following:

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it typically is.
  • Bogus company sending a large check for you to buy something like computer equipment and then asks you to repay the excess funds via a wire transfer service, cryptocurrency or gift cards.
  • Charging a fee for assisting you with completing an employment application.
  • Offered wage is higher or lower than the average wage for that job. Check current wages on the internet.
  • The link for submission of your application is not connected to the company’s official career website, or the job posting is not on the company’s official job page or a related official recruitment website.

Tips to Avoid Scams

Do’s

Before you accept a job offer, and certainly before you pay for one, take these steps to protect yourself from job scams:

  • Do an online search. Look up the name of the company or the person who’s hiring you, plus the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” You might find out they’ve scammed other people.
  • Talk to someone you trust. Describe the offer to them. What do they think? This also helps give you vital time to think about the offer.
  • Read the fine print. If a job ad looks too good to be true, it is most likely a scam.
  • Ask questions about the job description. Scammers will post vague language about the prospective job.
  • Check to make sure the recruiter that calls you is who they say they are by doing an online search or calling the company directly.
  • Be cautious of conducting interviews through Google Hangouts, Telegram App, Texting apps (TextFree app, TextNow app, WhatsApp).

Don’ts

  • Do not provide personal information during an interview. i.e., Social Security number, driver’s license number or bank account information.
  • Do not pay for the promise of a job. Legitimate employers, including the federal government, will never ask you to pay to get a job. Anyone who does is a scammer.
  • Do not bank on a “cleared” check. No legitimate potential employer will ever send you a check and then tell you to send on part of the money or buy gift cards with it. That’s a fake check scam. The check will bounce, and the bank will want you to repay the amount of the fake check.