Avoid Job Scams : How to spot a fake job posting

Finding a job is no small thing – vacancies are few and far between and competition is fierce – and making it harder, and more dangerous, are the many many job scams out there. Do you know how to spot a fake job listing and keep yourself safe? Let’s take a look at how you can tell if a vacancy is legit or not.

Sometimes the scammers want to take all the money in your bank account or sell you something useless (or nonexistent).

Other times, the scammers will use you to commit crimes, like receiving stolen property or money laundering, so you end up at even greater risk.

Sometimes the purpose of the scam is to collect personal information from you to sell to other scammers.

These scams are everywhere:

1. Posted in social media like LinkedIn, Facebook, and others.
2. Email apparently (but not really) sent by someone you know.
3. Email apparently (but not really) sent by an employer or recruiter.
4. Fake jobs (for fake employers or pretending to be for real employers) posted on legitimate websites, like Craigslist, Indeed, and other job boards.
5. Fake jobs (for fake employers or pretending to be for real employers) posted on fake versions of real job boards.
6. Fake jobs posted on fake versions of real employer websites.
7. Fake jobs posted on websites of fake employers.
8. More …

For more information on avoiding job scams, read the Guide to Avoiding Job Scams and The Job Scams Self-Defense Sniff Test.

Nine Signs the Job Is a Job Scam

If the opportunity seems “too good to be true,” it is probably a scam. Pay attention to what your instincts tell you if something feels “off” about the opportunity.

Before you apply for a job or respond to an email with a copy of your resume, make sure the opportunity doesn’t match these criteria.

1.   It’s a scam if: “No experience is necessary!”  

   That’s usually the sign of a scam. The description is only a sales pitch, vague, or so simple that anyone could do it. No particular skills, experience, or education are needed to do the job. When you analyze it, the job doesn’t make sense, and anyone/everyone qualifies.

   Often, poor grammar, punctuation, and spelling may be used in the description/pitch.

2.   It’s a scam if: The job is VERY easy to do, and pays VERY well.  

   Although you must start as soon as possible, very little of your time and not much effort are needed to do the job, but you will receive a handsome salary for minimal effort. “No experience necessary” may be part of the job description or pitch.

3.  It’s a scam if: A genuine job interview is not required.  

   A minimal fake interview can be done very quickly via text message (like Slack or Yahoo Instant Messenger) or email. Or, they claim to be so impressed with you that they don’t need to actually talk with you about the job. (Which means you don’t get to ask any troublesome questions!)

4.   It’s a scam if: They found your resume on a job board you have never used – or haven’t used in years.  

   This is usually an emailed scam although it may come via social media. They claim to be following up on an application you have made, and you are perfect for their job. They are ready to hire you immediately. They may even thank you for your (nonexistent) application for the job.

   It’s not your memory failing you. The application didn’t happen!

5.   It’s a scam if: The employer’s and/or the recruiter’s identity is not clear.  

   The job description may look real, with some duties and responsibilities or a few tasks, but there is no clear indication of who the employer is.

   Or the alleged employer is well-known (e.g. Amazon, Google, Apple, etc.), but the only contact is an email address through a general service like Gmail, rather than an address associated with the employer.

   Before you apply, be sure to ask for and verify the name of the contact person and the employer.

6.   It’s a scam if: When you Google them, you find only job postings or warnings.  

   If contact with them is only via e-mail to an address at gmail.com or some other e-mail service not associated with the business, it is a scam. If they are supposedly hiring for a legitimate employer, the contact information provided should reflect that.

   A legitimate business does more than hire people. A legitimate business — even one only a few weeks old — has a website for customers and potential customers/clients. And that website is very likely visible to Google so it shows up in a Google search.

   An “invisible” website, or no website, is the symptom of a scam. If there are warnings, pay attention. The Job Scams Self-Defense Sniff Test offers more details for Google searches.

7.  It’s a scam if: They URGENTLY need to hire YOU — IMMEDIATELY!  

   They know that you are exactly the employee they need (without talking with you or anyone who knows you), and you must begin working for them as soon as possible — preferably today!.

8.   It’s a scam if: You must provide very sensitive information before anything else is done.  

   Before you have been interviewed or finished your research about them, they need you to send them your Social Security Number, bank account number, or a credit card number so they can pay you without delay.

   Tell them you need to have them pay you by check, at least initially, and be particularly cautious if they want to know your birthday (even only the month and day), mother’s maiden name, the first school you attended, or other very personal information.

9.   It’s a scam if: You must purchase something from them — or FOR them — to get started.  

   They want to hire you immediately, but first you must pay for some supplies needed for the job. Only they can provide the appropriate supplies. Or, possibly, you need to pay them for some special training that they will provide you to help you get started.