Employment & Job Scams
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
You found a job listing or received an offer that seemed great: high pay, work from home, flexible hours. But something feels off. They want you to pay for training or equipment, they offered you the job without an interview, or they're asking for personal information before you've even started. Legitimate employers don't charge you to work for them.
How it works
- 1
The offer comes to you
You see a job posting on a real job board, or you get a text/email from a "recruiter." The job has great pay, few requirements, and promises flexibility.
- 2
The interview is too easy
The interview is over text or instant message. They don't ask serious questions about your qualifications. Some scams skip the interview entirely, and you're just "hired."
- 3
They ask for money or information
Before your first day, they ask you to pay for "training materials," "equipment," or "background check fees." Or they need your Social Security number, bank info, and ID for "onboarding."
- 4
The job disappears
After you pay or share your info, the company goes silent. Or they send you a fake check to "buy equipment" and ask you to send back the difference. The check bounces.
Warning signs
- You have to pay for training, equipment, or a background check
- You were offered the job without a real interview
- The salary is much higher than similar jobs at other companies
- The "interview" happens entirely over text message or chat
- They send you a check and ask you to buy supplies or send money to someone
- The job listing is vague about what the company does
- You can't find the company online or the website was just created
- They pressure you to start immediately
What it looks like
"Work from home data entry, $45/hour"
You apply for a remote data entry job paying $45/hour. You're "hired" after a brief chat interview. They say you need to buy specialized software for $300 before starting. After you pay, they disappear.
The "equipment check" scam
A new "employer" sends you a check for $3,500 to buy a laptop and printer for your remote job. They tell you to deposit the check, buy the equipment from their "vendor" (actually the scammer), and send the rest back. The check bounces and you're out thousands.
Fake recruiter on LinkedIn
A recruiter on LinkedIn reaches out about a well-known company's opening. They conduct an "interview" via Google Chat and send an offer letter. For "onboarding," they need your Social Security number, bank routing number, and a photo of your driver's license.
What to do
- Stop responding to the "employer."
- Don't cash any checks they sent you. If you already did, contact your bank immediately.
- If you shared your Social Security number, place a fraud alert on your credit at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
- Report the fake listing to the job board where you found it.
- Report it to the FTC and FBI IC3.
- If they used a real company's name, contact that company to let them know their name is being used.
Who gets targeted
Job scams target people who are actively looking for work, especially those who need income quickly. Students, recent graduates, and people seeking remote work are commonly targeted.
Looking for work makes anyone more likely to overlook red flags. Scammers take advantage of that urgency.
By the numbers
- $750.6 million lost to business and job opportunity scams in 2024, up nearly $250 million on 2023
- FTC, 2025
- Job scam reports rose 118% from 2022 to 2023
- Identity Theft Resource Center, 2024
- This one hits working age hardest: of the $363 million reported to the FBI in 2025, $79 million came from people 60 and over
- FBI IC3, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Will a real employer ever ask me to pay for a job?
No. Legitimate employers never charge you for training, equipment, background checks, or job placement. If a job requires you to spend money before earning money, it's a scam. Real companies deduct costs from your paycheck or provide equipment directly.
How can I verify if a job listing is real?
Look up the company independently, not through links in the listing. Call their HR department using a number from their official website. Check LinkedIn for the recruiter's profile. Be suspicious of jobs posted on free platforms that promise high pay for minimal qualifications.
Companies used in employment & job scams
These are the brands scammers hide behind in this scam. Each guide covers what that company will never ask you for, and how to report it to them directly.