How to spot fake work-from-home jobs
Fake remote jobs are common, and they often look professional. Most follow the same few patterns. Knowing the warning signs makes it much easier to tell a real job from a scam before you share personal details or money.
Warning signs
- You are offered the job without an interview, or after a short text chat.
- You are asked to pay for training, equipment, software, or a background check.
- The pay sounds far higher than similar jobs for the same work.
- The recruiter only uses messaging apps and has no company email address.
- You are asked for your bank details, Social Security number, or ID before a written offer.
- There is pressure to accept or reply quickly.
Common work-from-home scams
- Check scams: you get a check to buy equipment and are asked to send part of the money back. The check later bounces.
- Reshipping scams: you receive parcels and forward them on. The goods are usually bought with stolen cards.
- Task or “app rating” scams: you complete simple tasks, then are asked to deposit money to unlock your earnings.
- Fake recruiter scams: someone poses as a well-known company and sends a job offer by text or social media.
How to check a job is real
Find the job yourself on the company's own careers page instead of using a link you were sent. If you cannot find it there, be cautious.
Check that emails come from the company's real domain, not a free email address.
Search the company name with words like “scam” or “reviews”. Other job seekers often post warnings.
Real employers do not ask you to pay to start work.
If you think you have been scammed
Stop replying, and do not send more money. Contact your bank straight away if you shared bank details or sent a payment.
In the US you can report job scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.