Signs that a Job Posting is a Scam
The job market is tough right now, even for data analysts. But don’t let desperation pull you into a web of online scams.
Employers may promise you an unrealistic salary, ask for your credit card information, or promise you the job without a formal interview process. When you are struggling in your job search, it may be tempting to believe that you have gotten a high-paying job right away. But if something seems too good to be true, do your research.
Stay vigilant and look out for these signs that a job posting may be a rouse.
Red Flag #1: They ask for your personal information up front.
Scammers may target you because they want your social security number, birth date, bank account numbers, or credit card information. Beware if you are asked for that information during the initial application process.
Legitimate employers usually collect such info after you’ve been hired and only for payroll or other HR purposes. If you share this sensitive information with a scammy recruiter, they might steal your identity.
Red Flag #2: Unprofessional language in emails.
This may include sloppy errors in posting, poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and overuse of dollar signs or exclamation points.
Another sign of a scam is if the contact listed is a personal email address. Employees from a legitimate company generally don’t use their personal email address for recruitment (like @gmail.com or @ yahoo.com) The email address should include the company domain (@companyname.com).
Red Flag #3: They require a purchase or investment when you start the job.
The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, warns:
They might send you a fake invoice for equipment (like a computer) or “training” that they’ll supposedly order but tell you to pay for first — using mobile payment apps like Cash App, Zelle, or PayPal. They’ll promise to reimburse you…but won’t, because it’s a scam.
In a common scam, the “company” sends you a check to “buy equipment,” but it’s for more than the amount needed, so they tell you to send the leftover money back to them. The check will bounce, and you will lose the money you sent them.
Red Flag #4: The ad guarantees that you’ll get the job.
If the company is legitimate, it’s never guaranteed that you’ll get the job.
Red Flag # 5: All communications are on chat apps or email.
Beware if a potential employer insists that you only speak with them through apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Telegram. As Aura warns:
Fraudsters will provide a phone number in the ad that you can call to get further details or show you’re interested in applying.
Once you text the number, the scammer will send you to a scam URL to upload documents or get more information. If you receive a similar text message, do not click on any links — they may be malicious and could download malware or spyware on your phone.
Also, a real company would not conduct an interview via text messages or online chats.
Red Flag #6: Entry-level positions advertise high pay.
This especially happens with fake data entry roles. Check Glassdoor or PayScale to determine if the salary is too good to be true for that position.
Red Flag #7: It is an ad for a “previously undisclosed” federal government job.
According to the FTC, this is a scam. Information about federal jobs is publicly available at https://www.usajobs.gov/.
Red Flag #8: They want to get you interested in the job opportunity as soon as possible.
This may mean that they want your personal information before you have a chance to Google their company and verify that the job opportunity is legitimate.
Final Thoughts
It is discouraging to think that scammers would take advantage of job hunters, but it happens every day. Here are a few last tips to avoid scams:
- Be careful with the keywords you use to search online. Avoid using terms like “work from home” or “work at home” — those are often used by scammers. Real jobs tend to use language like “remote/telecommuting job/virtual job.”
- FTC advises that if you’re not sure if something’s a job scam, contact the company using a phone number or website you know to be legitimate (not the one you got from the “recruiter.”)
- Do a search online. Google the company’s name, email address, and phone number, plus the words “review,” “scam,” and “complaint.”
Happy job hunting!
Further Reading:
The Hire Solution Texas: How to Recognize a Recruiting Scam or Fake Job Offer
FTC: Want to work from home? Spot the scams first.
Aura: 20+ Early Warning Signs That All Point to a Job Scam in 2023
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