Tyler Cross
Updated on: October 16, 2024
Fact-checked by Kate Davidson
A job offer waiting in your inbox is often a great thing, but it could also be a scam. Scammers use email and other tools to rope in victims with promises of work. If you fall for a job scam, you could have your money or identity stolen. It’s even possible that you’ll be unwittingly implicated in a criminal enterprise.
Be very cautious of anyone offering you a job over email. Real recruiters do sometimes reach out to prospects over email, but so do scammers. Additionally, criminals also use social media and job sites to initiate their scams. To help you stay safe, I put together this guide covering how to avoid every major type of job offer scam. Ultimately, the best advice is to stay vigilant and avoid email offers that seem too good to be true.
One of the best tools to avoid job offer email scams is a reliable antivirus with web protection. Norton automatically blocks phishing websites and malicious emails for you, protecting you from the majority of scams masquerading as career opportunities. It also has real-time anti-malware protection, so even if you download malware from an email attachment (or any other source), it will be blocked.
Types of Job Offer Scams and How to Avoid Them
Whether they begin over email or in any other way, fake job scams are dangerous. The work supposedly on offer can vary, as can the cybercriminals’s actual objective. They might promise remote programming work, writing gigs, or claim that you can make money from filling out surveys. As for the scammer’s actual intent, it could be to steal your money, your personal information, or to rope you into assisting in criminal activity.
Fake job scams can be initiated in a number of ways. You might get an email promising work or respond to a posting on a job site like Indeed. Some less subtle scammers send out text messages en masse hoping to rope people in.
In addition to diverse delivery methods, these scams also take on a variety of forms. I’ll go over various scams based on the end goal of the scammers. Just keep in mind that a talented scammer may attempt to pull off more than one of these over the course of the scam.
The most common forms of job scams include:
- Phishing scams.
- Malware delivery scams.
- Overpayment scams.
- Money up-front jobs.
- Reshipping and money mule scams.
- Pyramid schemes.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a strategy scammers use to get people to give away personal information. It occurs in all kinds of contexts, including fake job offer scams. The most common type of phishing involves sending potential victims an email with a link to a webpage made to look like the login screen for a commonly used service. But if you provide your details, they’ll be handed over to the scammers.
In the world of job scams, some criminals include phishing links in their fake job emails and listings. But it’s also common for them to spring the trap later. After a bit of back and forth with a potential victim (whether over email, text, or on a site like Indeed), the scammer will send a phishing link, which they claim leads to a form the applicant needs to fill out. If the victim clicks the link and inputs their details, the criminals can use this information to hijack accounts, steal data, and more.
It’s a good idea to install a web protection browser extension (like the kind included with most top antiviruses). These block phishing scams by preventing you from visiting malicious websites.
Malware Delivery Scams
Some scammers use job postings as a way to spread malware. The process is fairly simple: scammers reel in people looking for work and then try to get them to download malware onto their computer or phone.
For example, you may be offered a job over email telling you that you need to download software to take a skills test or perform your work duties. But in reality, the download contains malware. Malware takes many forms, so it’s possible that the app will steal your data, mine for crypto, or bombard you with ads.
The best way to protect against this type of scam is to use an antivirus that can block 100% of malware. Norton has a flawless record of stopping malware and can block dangerous email attachments. There’s even a tool that assesses every message landing in your mailbox for various risks.
Overpayment Scams
Sometimes an employer will hire you for a position, and you’ll even work it for a week or so. Then they will “accidentally” overpay you and demand you send back the extra cash, or you’ll be fired. The invoice could be fake, but some scammers genuinely overpay victims when moving money using services like PayPal.
This scam works because the people running it have the means to reverse the initial payment (if any payment actually occurred). This means that any “extra” money sent back will be stolen.
Be very suspicious if a company overpays you. Mistakes do happen, but this scam is also very common. Don’t send any money back. Ask to contact the HR department and suggest that any excess compensation be deducted from future paychecks. If the company is legitimate, it is likely to accept this as a viable solution.
Money Up-Front Jobs
The most straightforward job offer scams require applicants to pay a fee. Any job that requires you to pay in order to get the job is a scam.
This may sound ridiculous, but scammers can be subtle. Rather than just demanding money, skilled criminals are likely to hide this request in ways that can almost seem reasonable. For example, they may say you need to sign up for a service or purchase software in order to do the job required. Often this will come with the promise that the money will be quickly returned to you once you begin working.
Reshipping and Money Mule Scams
Participating in a reshipping or money mule scam could land you in prison. Criminal groups use the internet to find people to manage packages and move around ill-gotten money.
Though the people involved in this generally do get paid for their work, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a dangerous scheme. The packages you will be sending and receiving from your house are likely filled with illegal substances, firearms, dirty money, and other items that could get you in trouble with the law. In a money mule scheme, any funds you’re asked to move will be connected to crime.
It’s also common for criminals to use the identities of reshippers and money mules without their knowledge in other illegal activities. You could end up implicated in serious fraud. Moreover, participants are often set up to be the fall guy when law enforcement closes in.
Be wary of emails and job postings describing work that involves handling mail or moving money around. Even though the pay may be real, it’s best to avoid these jobs as the consequences can be dire.
Pyramid Schemes or MLMs
Pyramid schemes are built on the premise that you get more money if you bring in more people. These companies promise freedom and lots of pay, but multi-level marketing businesses (MLMs) only benefit those at the top. Statistically, the vast majority of people involved lose money.
These companies typically force you to buy a lot of products with your own cash and then leave you on your own to sell them. They promise additional financial rewards for getting other people to join the scheme, but the truth is that it’s nearly impossible to get this to work.
Unlike the job offer scams covered above, MLMs aren’t illegal. So while I can’t call these scams, I recommend you avoid engaging with anyone promoting “jobs” at MLMs.
What to Do if You Fall for a Job Offer Scam
If you’ve been roped into a fake job scheme, you need to take immediate action to minimize the fallout. Here’s what to do:
- Block the sender. There’s nothing to be gained from communicating with someone who has already scammed you. Block them to avoid getting scammed further.
- Report the job listing. You’ll want to report the scammer on any platforms where you engaged with them. If there was a job posting on Indeed, report it. If you communicated with them over email or the phone, report their address or number.
- Inform your bank. If the scam involved you losing money, let your bank know. Even if they can’t get your money back, they can lock down your accounts so unusual transfers will be blocked.
- Monitor your credit and identity. If you give scammers personal information like your name and address, they will try to use this information to their advantage. I recommend looking into an identity monitoring service. The best of these will monitor your credit, scan the dark web for your personal details, and provide assistance in the event of identity theft. Norton LifeLock is my top pick, but there are a few other great options.
How to Protect Yourself From Job Offer Scams
There are many types of fake job scams, but the steps to avoid them are fairly universal. Here’s what you need to do:
Watch Out for Red Flags
Whenever you’re reviewing a job posting or an email offering work, check it for red flags. Before responding, ask yourself the following questions.
- Are they asking me for money? If an employer asks for money to run your background check, pay an employment fee, or a buy-in fee for specialized equipment, it’s a scam. Some workers will need specialized tools or software to do their jobs, but it’s very unusual for companies to require remote workers to buy anything from them directly.
- Are there typos? Mistakes happen, but most professionals involved in hiring take time to craft their job postings. Look out for typos and misspellings. One or two might be excusable, but real job offers are seldom riddled with errors.
- Is the pay too high? Some things are just too good to be true. Scammers take advantage of people’s desire for high-paying jobs by creating fake positions designed to steal their money or identity.
- Are they claiming that no experience is required? If a company is promising high pay for a job that doesn’t require any experience or qualifications, it’s probably a scam.
- Is the person who they claim to be? If the job is supposedly with a well-known company, check the firm’s website to make sure the job posting is also listed there. If you’re communicating over email, make sure the sender’s address matches the company’s official domain.
- Do I understand the job they’re advertising? Scammers often rope people in with vague and confusing job postings. If you read through a job posting and can’t determine what that job is due to an overuse of flowery or technical-sounding language, it’s probably a scam.
Avoid Unsolicited Offers
Most recruitment professionals don’t reach out to job seekers. They announce vacancies and make posts on job portals, but they’re unlikely to send random messages to strangers. If you get an unsolicited offer (either as an email, a phone call, a text, or any other communication method), it’s likely to be a scam.
There are exceptions, of course. Workers with in-demand qualifications and lots of experience do sometimes get contacted with legitimate offers out of the blue. If you’re such a person, you still need to be cautious. Recruiters are more likely to use LinkedIn rather than email, but even LinkedIn has its share of scammers. In any case, real offers will never come in the form of unsolicited texts or phone calls.
Remember that unsolicited offers try to put pressure on you by offering unrealistic pay or telling you to act quickly before the position is filled. Even if you’re in a field where a potential employer might try to poach you, excess pressure is a tactic mostly used by scammers.
Use an Antivirus
The best antiviruses come with a number of features to protect you from scams. They can block phishing sites, nullify malware, protect you from malicious email attachments, and provide identity theft protection tools. These can effectively immunize you from some (but not all) types of job scams.
Top antiviruses like Norton and Bitdefender also come bundled with VPNs. These VPNs provide you with an additional layer of security by protecting your network data from being harvested by fake websites.
Finally, the best antiviruses come with dark web monitoring and identity protection tools. Norton, for example, constantly scans the dark web for your personal information and helps you remove it if any is found. It also provides up to $1 million in anti-theft insurance and credit monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a job to ask for money up-front?
No. No legitimate business will ever ask you to pay money up-front, whether for equipment, a background check, or any form of “employment fee.” If your potential employer asks you for money, treat that as a crimson red flag and don’t engage with the recruiter any further.
Now, there are some jobs that require you to own some basic tools. Even in these cases, a potential employer will never require you to pay additional fees or pay for background checks, and you’re typically expected to already own the tools before seeking out the job.
How can I tell a fake job offer from a real one?
By scrutinizing it for red flags. There’s no singular way to avoid all fake job scams. It helps to familiarize yourself with the many different methods scammers use to execute this type of scam.
The key indicators that a job is a scam are unrealistic pay and claims that no experience or qualifications are needed. If the offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will also use generic job titles and request information or payment upfront. If a company is forcing you to send money to secure your position, it’s definitely fake. There are other red flags which you’ll want to review so you can look out for them.
What can happen to me if I fall for a fake job offer scam?
The consequences range in severity from having some money stolen from you to having your identity stolen. At the very worst, it could even land you in jail for crimes you didn’t commit. If you’re in desperate need of a job, a fake job that wastes your time means you’re going without a paycheck for even longer, so depending on your situation, it could even mean facing homelessness.
If you’ve been working a fake job for a long time, you may be unwittingly aiding in criminal activities. It’s common for a crook to offer someone a job that pays unreasonably well to do simple things like send and receive unknown packages directly from their house or simply sign forms without reading them.
If you think you’ve fallen for a fake job offer scam, you need to act quickly to protect yourself.
What should I do if I find a fake job offer scam?
If you receive a fake job offer by email, you should block and report the sender and avoid opening attachments. Fortunately, you can avoid the vast majority of phishing sites and emails with an antivirus that comes with web protection and email protection.
If you spot a fake job listing website like Indeed, you should immediately report it and then leave that page. Reporting the page will cause Indeed to review it and take it down if it’s a scam. By reporting it, you can save someone who hasn’t read my guide on detecting fake job offer scams from falling for it.
