Stop if the job asks you to move money
The Federal Trade Commission warns about fake jobs that ask people to buy equipment, deposit checks, complete paid tasks, move money, or pay for access to work. The explanation may sound professional. The money still moves in the wrong direction.
A real-looking check can be fake. Your bank may make some money available before discovering the problem, then remove it after you have already sent your own money away.
An employer may require a real license or credential. You should still be able to verify the employer and the requirement through a source you found yourself.
- A recruiter asks you to pay for equipment, software, certification, or access to the job.
- You receive a check and are told to buy something or return part of the money.
- A recruiter asks you to send cryptocurrency, buy gift cards, reship packages, or move money through your account.
- Earnings depend on depositing money to unlock tasks or commissions.
Do not let urgency replace verification
The FTC has documented scammers impersonating known employers, promoting remote roles, using realistic paperwork, and moving unusually fast. A familiar company name, job platform, logo, or polished interview does not prove the person is connected to that employer.
An unsolicited text or a text-only interview deserves extra scrutiny. Slow the process down and verify it before sharing more information.
Verify the job yourself
- Find the official site yourselfType the employer’s known domain or search for the company. Do not rely on a link in the message.
- Check the careers pageLook for the exact role, location, and requisition details. Absence is not absolute proof, but it requires more verification.
- Inspect the senderCompare the full email domain with the employer’s real domain. Display names are easy to copy.
- Contact the employer independentlyUse a phone number or email address from the official website and ask whether the recruiter and role are legitimate.
- Search the storyLook up the company or recruiter name with words such as “scam,” “fraud,” or “complaint.”
Do not share sensitive information too early
A resume already contains personal details. Share only what the application needs. You should know which company is collecting the information, why it needs it, and what process you are entering before sending a Social Security number, bank details, identity documents, or tax forms.
Employers may use outside companies for background reports. The FTC explains that federal notice and permission requirements apply in those situations. This is another reason you should receive clear information about the employer and the request.
If you already responded
- Stop contact and do not send more money or information.
- Contact the bank, payment service, or gift-card company immediately if money moved.
- Change reused passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
- Review credit-report and identity-theft steps if sensitive identity data was shared.
- Report the incident to the platform and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.