Job Scams
Job-scam reports tripled between 2020 and 2024, and reported losses topped $470 million in 2024 according to the FTC. The schemes target both ends of the job market: high-paying "remote contractor" offers that pay nothing while harvesting your tax forms, and gig-style "task" jobs that ask you to deposit your own money to unlock commissions you’ll never see. Many start with a polished LinkedIn or Indeed pitch from someone using a stolen recruiter profile.
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Red flags to watch for
A recruiter messages you on WhatsApp, Telegram, or text — not on the platform where they supposedly found you.
The job description is vague but the pay is unusually high ($30-100/hr for "data entry" or "rating products").
You’re asked to download an unofficial app or join a Telegram/WhatsApp group to "start training".
The first "task" requires you to deposit your own money (crypto or bank transfer) to unlock commission payouts.
You’re sent a check that’s larger than expected and asked to forward the excess to a third party. The check will bounce after you’ve already sent the real money.
The interview happens entirely over chat or email, with no video call — or a video call where the camera is "broken".
You’re asked for SSN, driver’s license, or banking information before signing an actual offer letter.
Brands scammers impersonate
These are the brands most often used in this category of scam. Tap any one for a deep-dive on how scammers impersonate them and what the real brand will never do.
Guides & deep-dives (13)
How to Verify a LinkedIn Profile and Spot Fake Recruiters (2026)
LinkedIn removed 100M+ fake accounts in 2024. Fake recruiters, job scams, and AI headshots are everywhere. Here's a 9-step guide to verify any profile before you share your resume or your identity.
Read the guideJob Scams in 2026: Fake Recruiters Cost Americans $150M in Q4 2025 Alone
FTC job-scam reports tripled from 2020 to 2024 and losses jumped from $90M to $501M. Q4 2025 alone: $150.4M from 25,000 reports, median $2,000 per victim. Task scams went from zero in 2020 to ~20,000 reports in the first half of 2024. Here's how to verify a recruiter before you send a single document.
Read the guideThe 'Video Booster' Scam: Get Paid to Like Videos, Get Robbed Instead
A new BBB study names the 'video booster' job scam, where fraudsters pay you to like and subscribe — until they don't. Here's how it works and how to spot it.
Read the guideLinkedIn Job Scams: How Fake Recruiters Steal Your Credentials Through Phishing PDFs (2026)
That dream job with a PDF attachment is a credential trap. Learn how LinkedIn spear phishing works, what the fake login pages look like, and what to do if you already clicked.
Read the guideNew Grad Job Scams 2026: Fake Offers, Task Scams, and How to Protect Yourself
Job scam reports tripled since 2020 with $501M+ in losses. New grads face fake recruiters, deepfake interviews, task scams, and identity theft. Here's how to spot them before they cost you.
Read the guideGraduation Scams 2026: They're Coming for Your Diploma (and Your Wallet)
Fake scholarship emails, diploma mills, student loan forgiveness traps, and job offer phishing — graduation season scams are smarter than ever. Don't let them cap your finances.
Read the guideJob Scam Recovery Guide: What to Do After Falling for a Fake Job Offer
Fell for a fake job scam? Whether you paid upfront, deposited a fake check, or unknowingly acted as a money mule, here's exactly how to recover and protect yourself from follow-up scams.
Read the guideThe College Student's Scam Survival Guide
Fake scholarships, job scams, rental fraud, and FAFSA phishing — here's every scam targeting college students and how to avoid them.
Read the guideScams Targeting Uber and DoorDash Drivers
Hackers target 1 in 5 delivery app accounts. Deactivation phishing, account theft, and tip baiting — what every gig worker needs to know.
Read the guideMoney Muling Scams: You Could Be Committing a Crime
That 'payment processing' job could make you a money mule. Learn how muling scams work and the legal risks.
Read the guideWork From Home Scams: Fake Certification Programs
Scammers charge hundreds for fake work-from-home certifications leading to no real jobs. Learn how to spot fraudulent remote work programs.
Read the guideVerify Job Offers: How to Spot Fake Documents
Scammers send fake job offer letters to steal your personal information. Learn how to verify employment documents before sharing sensitive data.
Read the guideFake Check Job Scam: Don't Deposit That Check
Your new 'employer' sends you a check to deposit. It's a classic fake check scam that can leave you owing thousands to your bank.
Read the guideWhat to do if it’s happening to you
- 01
Stop all payments and uninstall any app or browser extension the "recruiter" had you install.
- 02
If you provided SSN or banking info, place a credit freeze with all three bureaus and enable two-factor authentication on your bank and email.
- 03
Report the LinkedIn or Indeed profile so the stolen recruiter persona gets shut down.
- 04
Report the scheme to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov.
- 05
If you received a fake check and deposited it, contact your bank immediately — they may be able to reverse it before you’re held liable for the full amount.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a remote job offer is real?+
Real employers post on their company website, conduct video interviews with multiple team members, and never ask for money or personal banking information before a signed offer. Cross-check the recruiter’s LinkedIn against the company’s real employee list, and call the company’s main number to verify the recruiter exists.
What is a "task scam" or "gig scam"?+
A task scam asks you to complete small online tasks (rating products, optimizing app store rankings) for commissions that show up in an in-app wallet. To "withdraw" your earnings, you must first deposit your own money to fund larger tasks. The wallet balance is fake — your deposits go directly to the scammer.
Are LinkedIn job offers safe?+
LinkedIn is heavily targeted because the recruiter persona looks legitimate. Always verify the recruiter exists on the company’s real "About" or employee page, and check that the company has had multiple postings over time — not just one job that appeared this month. Be especially wary of messages that move the conversation off-platform immediately.
What should I do if I gave a scammer my SSN or banking info?+
Place a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Enroll in identity theft monitoring (free at IdentityTheft.gov). Enable two-factor authentication on your bank, email, and any financial accounts. Watch your bank and credit-card statements closely for the next 90 days, and file an identity-theft report with the FTC.
Sources: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network · BBB Scam Tracker · LinkedIn Trust & Safety transparency reports
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