4 Signs a "work from home" job offer is actually a scam (2023)

FAQs

How do you check if a job offer is not a scam? ›

When in doubt, call the company to confirm legitimacy using the contact information that they've provided on their website. If you receive an email about a job opportunity, always click on the sender's email address to confirm that it is actually associated with the company.

One must also check the language of the email. Usually, job emails are professionally written but if you find one that isn't, that could be a potential red flag. Sometimes, some fake job offers ask one to pay in return as well. Even such a case is an indicator of a fake job offer so take care.

Look for Sites That Specialize in Work-From-Home Jobs

Other websites to check out for legit work-from-home jobs include FlexJobs.com, PeoplePerHour.com, Jobspresso.co and ZipRecruiter.com. You may also want to check out the well-known career sites, Monster.com, Indeed.com and CareerBuilder.com.

No legit employer will send you a check, tell you to buy stuff with it, and then ask you to send money to cover the balance.

Very similar to assistant jobs, receptionist and secretary jobs are also highly searched roles on Indeed. Scammers may use job descriptions that seem too good to be true or post legitimate looking opportunities, and once you've applied, they may reach out for more personal information.

Any request for a verification code is a major red flag. Take it as confirmation that the seller is not trustworthy. OfferUp has its own verification process called TruYou that doesn't involve verification codes. Moving communications away from their secure messaging system is never recommended.

If you find a job posting that interests you or if a job offer arrives from out of the blue, search the company online and contact them directly to confirm that both the recruiter and the job listing are legitimate.

Check out the company's address, phone number, and website to make sure they look legitimate. Be aware, though, that it's pretty easy for a company to get a fake address, phone number, and website. If you can, visit the company's physical address and talk to the people who work there.

How can you tell if a job opening is a phantom job listing? ›

How to spot it: If you find a job you like on Indeed or another job board, first check to see how long the posting has been up. The longer it's been on the job board, the more likely it is to be a phantom job posting. Also try to find the posting on the company's website.

Dear Sir/Madam, I'd like to request the ability to work from home for one day, [date], due to [personal reasons]/[illness]/[family problems]/[inability to come to the office]. I'm working on the [current task] and I assure you I can maintain my level of productivity while working from home.

What are “work-from-home” job scams? They're pretty much what they sound like. They're scams that make it look like you're being offered a job where you'll be able to work entirely from home—but there is no job, and they're actually just trying to steal your money.

GPS tracking can also be used to monitor employees who work from home. While this may not be as common, some employers who allow employees to work from home may use GPS tracking to make sure employees are working from their homes and not somewhere else.

As a general rule, if you're using your employer's equipment while on your employer's network, your employer has the right to monitor everything you do, whether you're working remotely or in the workplace. Because your employer is providing the communications technology, they have the right to track your activities.

They do not bear the signatures of the customers like ordinary checks. Instead, they bear a legend statement "Authorized by Drawer". This type of instrument is usually used by credit card companies, utility companies, or telemarketers.

In most cases, once a check is found to be fraudulent, the amount will be charged to your bank account. Worse, the bank may charge you an additional fee for processing a fake check. You'll lose any money you sent to the scammer.

A fake job posting is a (rarely) smartly designed type of scam aimed at job seekers for a variety of unprofessional reasons. Still, these scams can look legit to an unsuspicious person scrolling through the vast pool of jobs.

Your Indeed alias - We provide all job seekers with an Indeed auto-generated email address alias to help protect and secure your real email address information. All email communication from employers with your Indeed email alias is still sent directly to your email inbox.

What can a scammer do with my phone number? ›

Your phone number is an easy access point for scammers and identity thieves. Once they know your number, they can use it to send you phishing texts, trick you into installing malware and spyware, or use social engineering attacks to get you to hand over your personal identifying information (PII).

Providing your taxpayer information. Periodically, Stripe will ask you to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) and your current address via the OfferUp app. Stripe is required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect this data for tax reporting purposes. To learn more, see Form 1099-K and tax reporting.

Blues convey feelings of calm, trust, and confidence - great qualities for an interviewer to sense in you. Darker blues (like navy) convey authority and confidence. Blue is also many people's favorite color, and wearing an interviewer's favorite color will always make a great first impression.

Red flags are often used in conversations around toxic or abusive relationships. Toxicity can present itself in any close relationship: friends, colleagues, family members, or partners. Red flags can be signs of narcissism, aggression, victimization, or even abusive behavior.

One job seeker told Buzzfeed that a major green flag is when the interviewer reveals something about themselves, such as their hobbies, and asks you about yours. “It shows they're interested in you as a person” and not just as a position that needs to be filled. Equally important is who's present during the interview.

Don't feel pressured into replying to a job offer immediately. Aim to make your decision within 24-48 hours. Make sure you express enthusiasm for the role. Don't be afraid to ask the employer questions before accepting an offer.

Unfortunately, not every job offer is as it seems. Fake job offers target job seekers for one of two reasons – either the employer is up to something suspicious, or a scammer is pretending to be an employer to gain something from a person anxious to begin working.

What are some precautions we can take to avoid being scammed? ›

Remember: Do not enter personal information, bank account or credit card details in suspicious or unverified websites. Always check the address bar or properties of a website to verify if it is legitimate. Sending of emails that are targeted attacks on specific individuals or companies.

The age group most vulnerable to scams is actually 18 to 24 years olds. Although those digital natives understand a lot about how technology works and can help you navigate the latest social media network, they also can fall prey to savvy scammers.

Report most common scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls.

Sexual Harassment

It is the most common type of workplace harassment. It is illegal and must be taken seriously. Examples of sexual harassment are sharing sexual photos or posters, inappropriate sexual touching or gestures, passing sexual comments, invading someone's personal space sexually, etc.

Hollaback's "5 D's" (Direct, Distract, Delay, Delegate, Document) are different methods that bystanders can use to support someone who is being harassed, emphasize that harassment is not okay, and demonstrate to people in your life that they too have the power to make our communities and workplaces safer.

Much like a Social Security number, a thief only needs your name and credit card number to go on a spending spree. Many merchants, particularly online, also ask for your credit card expiration date and security code.

Your phone number is an easy access point for scammers and identity thieves. Once they know your number, they can use it to send you phishing texts, trick you into installing malware and spyware, or use social engineering attacks to get you to hand over your personal identifying information (PII).

How can you tell a scammer number? ›

The motivation to commit a fraud is generally linked to an experience or feeling of being under pressure. At the moment of deciding to commit a crime, most fraudsters are facing financial difficulties or living extravagantly and beyond their means.

Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.

Distraction: Scammers routinely distract their victims, making them more likely to fall for a scam. They may distract people with requests that don't involve money, so AP staff become more trusting. Once trust is established, they then proceed to deceive the victim into taking an action that involves money.