How to Spot a Fake Job Offer: 5 Red Flags to Watch For

Job scams thrive when unemployment rates rise. It’s a harsh reality but as more people search for work, scammers seize the opportunity to take advantage of people in desperate times. It usually starts with an exciting message like: “We came across your resume and think you’d be a perfect fit for our remote team!” Except you didn’t apply and you don’t remember the company?

With the growing demand for remote work today, these scams are only becoming more widespread, targeting job seekers at their most vulnerable.

In fact, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports that an estimated 14 million people are exposed to employment scams every year, with $2 billion being lost to scams every year.

In this blog we’ll break down the 5 Signs that a job offer is a scam and how to protect yourself.

Unsolicited Contact:

Scammers commonly impersonate well-known companies like Amazon and Walmart to gain your trust. They may even conduct fake job interviews using platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet, often without ever turning on their camera. During these interviews, victims are frequently asked to share personal details, including bank account information to “set up direct deposit.” But no matter how convincing they sound, always remember legitimate employers never hire complete strangers without a proper vetting process. If things feel rushed or too easy, it’s time to pause and do some digging.

Legitimate employers never hire complete strangers without a proper vetting process.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Is the message overly enthusiastic?

2. Can’t find any record of the job posting online

3. Is it unclear what company they work for?

4. Are they using text message, WhatsApp or social media to contact you?

Suspicious Interview

One of the biggest red flags in job scams is how the interview is conducted.

If you’re invited to interview over Facetime or WhatsApp, pause. Legitimate companies rarely use these platforms for initial interviews, the most common platforms use are Teams or Zoom.

Even more concerning? If there’s no video call, no phone call, and no interaction at all – you just get hired over text.

You might also notice the so-called “hiring manager” avoids giving direct answers about the job or the company. If they’re vague or seem to dodge questions, that’s a clue they’re more interested in getting you onboarded quickly than actually learning about your qualifications.

Real companies conduct real interviews, that means questions about your experience, information about your expected day to day tasks and many times even multiple interviews, not just rushed approvals.

Sensitive Info Requests

This is the #1 giveaway of a job scam. If a company requests money or sensitive information before a legitimate offer is made, stop all communicationand report it immediately.

Here are the most common tactics:

• Asking you to pay for equipment, software, or training
• Request for your bank account or Social Security number
• Sending you a check and telling you to “send back the difference”
• Instructing you to buy gift cards for onboarding expenses
• Send money through Venmo, Zelle or CashApp

If a “recruiter” asks you to send money using Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or even an old school wire transfer or money exchange, stop right there.

No reputable employer will ask you to pay them or provide personal information before you’re officially hired even if it’s for equipment, onboarding, or “processing fees.”

Click here to report a job scam to the U.S Federal Trade Commission.

Fake Company Emails and Website

Scammers have become increasingly good at mimicking legitimate companies, but it’s the minor details often reveal the truth. One of the easiest ways to spot a fake recruiter is to look closely at their email address.

If you’re receiving communication from a generic domain like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook – rather than a verified company email – it’s a major red flag. Reputable businesses almost always use their own domain name, for example, tracy@oneprefferedmutual.com.

Next, check the website URL carefully. Scammers aim to make the links look almost identical to a real company’s site, but a closer inspection could reveal misspellings, an added letter, or a strange extension like .net instead of .com. These small tweaks are commonly used in scam sites and designed to fool job seekers at first glance.

Beyond that, trust your eyes. Fake websites often show poor grammar, broken links, vague or noticeably recycled job descriptions, and stock images. If the content feels sloppy or incomplete, that’s a signal the site wasn’t built for real business purposes.

Too Good to Be True

Scam artists know what you want to hear. They create dream job offers that are designed to lower your guard and say “yes”. They want you to act fast before your better judgement kicks in.

“$75/hour for entry-level work. No experience needed. Instant hire. Flexible schedule. Remote forever.”

Sounds amazing right? A little too amazing.

A quick Google search can save you a major headache. Look up the company name along with keywords like “scam” or “fake job offer.” Many times, you’ll find that others have the same suspicions.

2025’s Fastest Growing Online Scam

If someone messaged you today offering a remote gig to like videos or rate products online, you might be tempted to say yes — after all, it sounds like an easy way to make quick cash from your couch.

Let’s break down how task scams work, one of the fastest growing online scams, why they’re so convincing, and what red flags to watch out for.

What Is a Task Scam?

Task scams are the latest twist on fake job offers. They promise simple, repetitive tasks, like liking Tik Toks, boosting app rankings, or reviewing products in exchange for small commissions.

Task scams are designed to feel like quick, low-commitment, remote jobs. Victims are typically offered, “Earn $3–$20 per task by helping optimize online content!”

This job scheme often follows a predictable pattern. It typically begins with an unexpected message via text, WhatsApp, or social media offering a so-called “job opportunity.”

You might even receive small payments upfront, just enough to build trust. Then, you’re encouraged to complete more tasks with the promise of a larger commission, but there’s a catch. To unlock the next payout, you’re suddenly asked to deposit your own money.

Once you send your own funds, communication instantly stops and your money is gone for good. The app or platform is completely fake. The “balance” you’ve earned is only shown as a trap to keep you playing and paying.

What to do if you’ve been scammed?

Don’t blame yourself. These scams are strategically designed to trick smart, experienced professionals.

Here’s what to do:

• Stop all contact with the scammer

• Report the scam to the FTC (ftc.gov) and your state’s attorney general

• If you sent money or shared banking info, contact your bank immediately

• Change your passwords, especially if you gave out personal information

• Share your story (you could help someone else avoid it)

Job scams are on the rise, especially as unemployment grows and more people search for remote opportunities. In today’s blog, we’ve broken down the five biggest red flags to watch for: unsolicited contact, suspicious interviews, sensitive information requests, fake company emails and websites, and job offers that sound too good to be true and task scams. By learning how to spot these warning signs early, you can better protect your personal information and finances.

Know someone on the job hunt? Share this information with them.

Click here to learn more about Image Authentication, a powerful tool to detect potential fraud online.

Check out some of our sources:

Better Business Bureau. (2024). Job scams full study. Better Business Bureau. https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/jobscams/jobscamsfullstudy

Federal Trade Commission. (2023, January). Taking the ploy out of employment scams. Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/01/taking-ploy-out-employment-scams