As job seekers navigate today’s employment market, they need to focus on more than applications and referrals. They need to remain vigilant for scammers who want to steal their personal information or trick them into paying upfront fees.
Job scams are effective because they prey upon job seekers’ sense of urgency and desperation. Thanks to the help of AI, these scams are more convincing than ever. AI tools allow scammers to quickly create fake job listings, outreach emails or even recruiter profiles to earn trust from job seekers.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that losses from job scams more than tripled from 2020 to 2023, with losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024 alone.
However, with the right knowledge, you can stay ahead of scammers. Here are six common hiring scams to avoid.
1. Hiring scammers often send fake job text messages
Many scammers will send fake job offers by text messaging or using apps such as Telegram or WhatsApp. They might invite you to apply or offer you a job outright, but their goal is to steal personal information or get you to click on a malicious link. These messages sometimes use eye-catching emojis or provide lucrative offers, but remember that if you apply for a job, recruiters will typically reach out by email or phone.
How to avoid fake job text messages: Don’t respond to unsolicited texts. Check your phone settings and apps and consider blocking unknown text messages before they reach you.
2. Scammers lure in job seekers with task scams
This scam often starts by being cold contacted by a scammer, who offers “good money” through simple tasks such as liking videos, rating products or doing “optimization tasks” in an app or online platform. They promise money through a commission for each click. When you complete a task, you might see an increasing tally of your earnings in an app or website, but it’s completely fabricated.
After completing enough tasks, the app or website will ask you to deposit your own funds — usually in cryptocurrency — so you can withdraw your “earnings” or receive more tasks to complete. If you comply, you’ll lose any deposited money and never receive your pay.
How to avoid task scams: Don’t ever pay to get a job or trust anyone who offers pay for rating or liking things online.
3. Job scammers send unsolicited job offer emails
Scammers send out unsolicited job offers by email and frequently target job hunters who have visible emails on employment websites. They try to entice job seekers with favorable terms such as high salary, remote work or other perks. These emails are becoming more polished and seemingly credible, but they have the same goal: To trick you into submitting personal information or sending money.
How to avoid fake email job offers: If you’re emailed a job offer without applying, treat it as a scam.
4. How to identify fake job listings
Many scammers will post fake job listings on legitimate job boards or advertise them on social media or messaging apps. To make these positions seem credible, some scammers copy and paste real job listings that have closed, then change the contact information so scammers are contacted. Scammers often advertise these positions as remote work or promise a high salary to lure in job seekers.
How to avoid fake job listings: Look for red flags such as a vague job description, a limited or absent online presence from the company and poor communication from the recruiter.
5. Imposter scams
To gain trust, scammers often impersonate representatives from a legitimate, well-known company. They will sometimes fake their caller ID, use the name of a real person or even send out official-looking letters that seem authentic. It’s also common to see these scammers on social media platforms, posting spammy comments when someone posts they are open to work.
How to avoid imposter scams: Look carefully at your contact to see if they’re using a generic email domain name and check to see if the job is actively posted on the official company website. It’s also a red flag if the recruiter uses high-pressure tactics or unprofessional communication.
6. Upfront job cost check scams
If a scammer is trying to recruit you for a position, they might send you a bad physical check or e-check to cover the cost of equipment, training or work. The check is usually accepted at first, but your bank will reverse the deposit when they recognize it as fraudulent.
Before this happens, the scammer may ask you to funnel your money into their “official website.” Alternatively, they might send you a message claiming they overpaid and need you to return extra funds to them.
How to avoid upfront cost check scams: An employer will never send you a check to cover upfront costs. If you’re sent a suspicious check, avoid cashing it or ask your bank to place a hold on the item, so they have time to investigate the check for fraud.
Here are two frequently asked questions and answers about avoiding job scams.
How can I avoid job scams?
These examples are only a handful of tactics used by scammers. However, following these general principles can help:
- Research your potential employer and search for their name with words like “scam” or “complaint.”
- Be cautious of unsolicited job offers and communication that is only provided digitally, which makes it easier to deceive you.
- Avoid sharing sensitive information such as bank information, Social Security number or your ID before you’ve signed a legitimate offer.
- Don’t pay a potential employer for application processing, equipment or training. If they want upfront payment, there’s a high chance it’s a scam.
What should I do if I’ve been scammed?
- Contact your bank immediately if you provided bank account details. You may also freeze your credit to prevent additional damage to your accounts.
- Block the scammer’s email addresses and phone numbers.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau and your state’s Attorney General’s Office.
To help safeguard your personal and financial information, explore the wide range of account security tools available from Zions Bank. And remember — whether by phone, online, or in person at your local branch, our Zions Bank team is always here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
