TL;DR: Job seekers respond quickly to promising offers, often before vetting them. Never pay for a job offer or equipment before working, research the company independently, and be wary of any job offered without a real interview.
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Job seekers respond quickly to promising offers, often before vetting them.
Common Tactics Used
Fake job postings collect personal information under the guise of a background check, and 'employers' ask new hires to buy equipment upfront or deposit and reship checks.
How to Protect Against It
Never pay for a job offer or equipment before working, research the company independently, and be wary of any job offered without a real interview.
What Family and Friends Can Do
Sudden secrecy about money, unusual withdrawals, or a new online relationship that stays undisclosed are all worth a calm, judgment-free conversation. The earlier a scam is caught, the more can usually be recovered.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Scams Targeting Recently Laid-Off Workers.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Scams Targeting Landlords.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they specifically targeted?
Job seekers respond quickly to promising offers, often before vetting them.
What tactics do scammers use?
Fake job postings collect personal information under the guise of a background check, and 'employers' ask new hires to buy equipment upfront or deposit and reship checks.
How can they protect themselves?
Never pay for a job offer or equipment before working, research the company independently, and be wary of any job offered without a real interview.
What should family or friends watch for?
Sudden secrecy about money or new online relationships, unusual withdrawals or wire transfers, and reluctance to discuss a new "opportunity" or contact in detail are all worth a gentle, non-judgmental conversation.
What should I do if I think this has already happened?
Stop all contact and payments immediately, report it to the appropriate authority, and contact the bank or payment provider involved to see what can be recovered.