Beware of job scams

Fraudsters create fake social media accounts to promote remote job opportunities, promising that you can make a lot of money. Scammers have two goals with a job scam: 

• Get money from you – to get the job, you need to make upfront payments e.g., application and/or training fees, equipment
• Get information from you. Scammers will send you a job application in the hope that you’ll fill it out and give away confidential information

Warning signs of a job scam: 

• The job pays a lot of money for little work
• The company brags about ‘rags-to-riches' stories that show fancy lifestyles
• The job ad mentions quick money, drastic income changes overnight, etc.
• The job ad has glaring grammatical or spelling errors
• The contact email address is personal (e.g., johnsmith3843@gmail.com) or one that mimics a real company’s email address (e.g., johnsmith@dellcomputercompany.com)
• The job requires several up-front payments
• Your payment is based on how many people you recruit

Tips to avoid job scams: 

• Always research companies to which you’re applying, and make sure they’re legitimate
• Never pay for equipment, training, or supplies upfront for a new job