Don't Fall for These Job Scams

Posted by Nancy Anderson • Nov 11, 2015

The ability to perform an online job search is a huge benefit to job seekers, saving them time and effort, but the Internet is also a breeding ground for job scams. When you're on the job hunt, beware of these eight common online job scams.

1. Copycat Companies

Watch out for companies that have a name or logo that closely matches a more reputable employer. Some job scammers even use the actual name of a large organization. Do some research on the recruiter and the company before making a move.

2. Vague Job Descriptions

If a job posting lists requirements and skills that are vague and apply to nearly everyone without the need for education, training or work experience, it may be a job scam. Don't provide any personal information until you get more specific details about the position.

3. Trial Employment Period

If a recruiter tells you that you're one of a few selected candidates and asks you to participate in a two- or three-week trial employment period, be leery. Many job scammers use this tactic to collect your personal details and then disappear.

4. Employment Agencies

Some less-than-reputable employment agencies post ads with fake jobs that sound very appealing just to collect information from hopeful job seekers. These agencies often use a bait-and-switch approach, offering a less-enticing position after they have your personal details.

5. Unknown Recruiter

Be skeptical about any unsolicited job offers you receive, whether through email, LinkedIn, Twitter or other means. Research the recruiter using Google and social media before you respond to the offer.

6. Secret Job Lists

Don't fall for job postings that offer to sell you a "secret" job list for federal government positions or U.S. Postal Service jobs. These types of jobs are free to search for and apply online; anyone charging a fee for this information is a scammer.

7. Work From Home

There are a lot of really good work from home opportunities posted on the internet. Unfortunately, there are also potentially bad ones that job seekers will come across while looking for their next opportunity. You should always be extremely cautious when finding a work from home position that requires you to pay a start-up fee or purchase instructions. Little or no income will be generated through these positions.

8. Background Checks

If a recruiter claims the company needs you to pay for a credit report or background check before hiring you, don't fall for it. These scammers are only out for your money and personal information.

When you're already desperate to find a job, the last thing you want is to be taken advantage of by online scammers. During an online job search, pay close attention to the details of the posting. If a job sounds too good to be true, proceed cautiously, as it may be a job scam. Never provide personal details, such as your Social Security number or bank account information, to someone you haven't met.

Nancy Anderson • May 9, 2016

@Joanne in the case of temp agencies, I think that's standard practice. The difference is that your information stays in house and you know to whom you are giving it. The concern would be if you gave that information to a company who had an online posting. You have no idea who they really are - not before you even get your first interview anyhow.

JOANNE MISTRULLI • May 8, 2016

You know what I ave encountered. Agencies asking for me to fill out i9, w4, direct deposit form even before an interview. They claim that since it's an angency, you are employee even without a job. They say it makes it easier if something comes up. It's illegal to request to fill out an i9 without an offer of employment in writing.

Stephen O. • May 3, 2016

thank you for this information.

Nancy Anderson • Apr 30, 2016

@Keith thanks for your comment. So very true that we feel that desperate times call for desperate measures - but then that is where we need to stop and take a breath. Always, always take the time to research a company. I, also, came close to getting scammed a few years ago. I checked out the company, checked with the BBB and other places and everything seemed legit but there was just something that kept niggling in the back of my mind. My daughter was job hunting at the time also and I had her submit her resume to the same "company" to see what would happen. They offered her a position also and that's when we knew that it was a scam. She didn't have any other qualifications or skills that they were requesting. I contacted the job poster - a very popular, well-known job poster at that - and let them know that the position they posted was a scam. I also contacted the REAL company and let them know that they were being used by this unscrupulous person. So, if you feel that something is not right - go with your gut. Grandma was right and buyer or, in this case, job seeker beware.

Keith Enste • Apr 29, 2016

Nancy,

You’ve really supplied some sage and important advice here; unfortunately too many of us have reached a point of desperation in out quests for gainful employment and are willing to try just about anything.

Some good additional advice: generally speaking if it sounds: “Too good to be true” then all too likely it is a scam. Technology is a great tool and there are many great sources to be utilized with it: however, always remember, at the same time, it has also become a “goldmine” for the unscrupulous, and corrupt elements in our culture looking to make a fortune out of other people’s misery, hardships and desperation. Remember, what all of our grandmothers told each of us “If it sounds too good to be true: then very likely it is not!” And: “buyer beware!” It is your hard-earned money; check any such offers, check the Better-Business Office Site for outstanding complaints about such firms offering these kinds of services. In most cases you can do what they are doing for you, yourself, and, for free.

Marvin B. • Apr 24, 2016

Very good information to know to add to my tool belt

Nancy Anderson • Apr 11, 2016

@Gary I haven't heard of something like that. Seems kind of strange. Have you tried it? First of all, someone has to place that item on ebay so I am not understanding how you could remove anyone's item that isn't yours. And, why would ebay want to give the sale to their competitor? I say run!

Gary C. • Apr 10, 2016

I am and have been looking for a legit work at home opportunity. I think I may have found one, it is called Arbitrage. You move an item from ebay and sale it on Amazon at a lower price. You keep the difference. Have you every heard of this type of operation????????

Barbara P. • Mar 14, 2016

Thank You so much for the comments. Very helpful because I to have fallen for some of these scams.

Ingrid v. • Mar 11, 2016

Thanks for the excellent information and guida ce

Nancy Anderson • Mar 3, 2016

Thanks for your comments. @Eliot it is true that the company should pay for the background check and anything else that they need before they can offer you a position. We are without jobs which means without money - or at least without the money that we are used to having - so why should we have to try to come up with it? @Shaday you will see the same jobs over and over again as you search through the Internet. That's pretty much why they are called job boards. Years ago, if a company needed to hire someone, they would post a job on a bulletin board at the local grocery store and people would take down the number and call. I, too, will search out as much as I can about a company and always try to apply on the company website if I can find it. So true that you don't want to put your information out to anyone who is not authorized. Might I mention that when you input your resume on Beyond, you do not include your personal information at the time of the attached resume because the hiring company can see it in your profile. Just adds another layer to protect your private information.

Shaday Stewart • Mar 2, 2016

I use job boards to look for positions, but I always go to the company websites to see if they have their own application portal. Many established companies make it easy to save and track your application on their secure servers, so you're not blindly sharing your information with any scammer who comes along. Some job boards seem to have a vetting process, but many new ones are appearing, and they simply re-post information gathered from around the Internet. Also, third-party websites don't always have all the original information from the job posting.

Eliot S. • Mar 2, 2016

@Erin. I have worked at high security/sensitive jobs most of my career. These jobs require expensive background checks. Not once was it even suggested i should pay for them. These are expenses an employer pays to hire a good employee. Even if it isn't an outright scam (and it is), it certainly suggests an employer with a one sided view of commitment.

Any job where any money for any reason is required to apply, whether a background check, sales kit, etc. is almost certainly a scam. A legitimate employer doesn't have employees pay to get a job.

Nancy Anderson • Mar 2, 2016

@Erin thanks for your comment. Honestly there isn't a valid reason why companies would require you to pay for your own background check other than they just don't to pay for it or they are not legit. If a company is really interested, they will conduct the background check on their own dime.

Erin Jean • Mar 2, 2016

Are there ever any legitimate reasons for a company to ask you to pay for a background check? Are those generally charged for any time they're made?

sonia ivonne c. • Mar 1, 2016

Very hepful your information. Thanks.

Nancy Anderson • Mar 1, 2016

@Abbey thanks for your comment. So very true. Always proceed with caution. If the company is not taking the time or initiative to create a job posting, then it probably is not legit. And, again, if they use the word legitimate to describe the job, run because there's a 99.9% chance that it's a scam. Just use plain common sense and never give them any money.

Abbey Boyd • Mar 1, 2016

I think the number one thing a person must remember is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Also, I really like the advice about the unknown recruiter. If a person contacts you in regards to a position that you have never applied for, especially with a company you have never applied with, you should proceed with caution. If the job is really legitimate, they should have no problem posting a job opening and expecting people to apply. It is somewhat rare for a recruiter to reach out to you unless you are in a highly specialized field. If you do receive an unsolicited offer, do your research before sharing any personal information.

@Erica thanks for your comment and for the extra tip to create a "job searching" type email and only use it for that purpose. That way you can protect the rest of your identity.

Erica T. • Mar 1, 2016

Good article – thanks for the useful and insightful tips! I've applied for quite a few writing, clerical and administrative jobs online and while most have been legitimate, some turned out to be scams, or at the very least, sketchy . After a while, I was able to weed out the good from the bad by thoroughly reading each job post and following your advice to ALWAYS conduct online research to find out more information about these companies. It doesn't take very long to find out about a company or an individual – and it will save you valuable time in the long run. I also have an email account specifically for my job searches – that way all email correspondence is in one place. This also allows me to protect my personal email accounts.

Thanks for the comments. @Jay just research the company before you apply. That is probably the only way you are going to find out if it's legit or not. As mentioned before, if the posting uses the word "legitimate" - run. @Sarah it's great to do a trial period. That way you can find out not only if you are right for the position but if the company is right for you. This is a great way to do a test drive so to speak. @Catharine so very true that you should research every company. You might be amazed at what you really find out. Now, keep in mind that you will find disgruntled former employers badmouthing the company. Take those with a grain of salt and read on about the ones who like their jobs, like the company and are happy. And never, ever pay for the job!

CATHERINE S. • Mar 1, 2016

Another thing to add to this list is to never trust companies that ask you to pay a "training fee" to be able to start working. Companies that promise that you will make huge profits in the future if you pay them now. I really like the advice that if a job opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true. Use the internet as a resource and research previous employees comments on the company. They can be very enlightening. I always do this before accepting an interview anywhere.

Sarah Andrews • Feb 29, 2016

To be fair, many companies have trial periods for new employees. The other seven points are completely valid, but for an employer, a trial period allows some time to decide if a job candidate is the right fit, and allows them to let that person go without much of an argument if they aren't. Three out of the five jobs I've had have had trial periods of 30 to 90 days.

Jay Bowyer • Feb 29, 2016

Regarding copycat companies: how can I be absolutely sure that the company I plan to apply to isn't a copycat company? Are there any reliable resources you can suggest that I can use to thoroughly research a company? I don't want to waste time on a bogus "employer" and I certainly don't want to be scammed!

Don't Fall for These Job Scams

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