Looking For Work? Watch Out For Scams.

When you’re job hunting, the last thing you want to think about is getting scammed, but these days knowing how to spot a scam is a necessity.

While you’re hoping to get your foot in the door, scammers are taking advantage of changes in the job market. Today, you can apply and interview for a job without ever meeting the hiring manager.

That’s one reason why the number of business and job opportunity scams went up almost 76 percent from 2021 to 2022, according to the government. The rise in remote work has made it easier for scammers to pass themselves off as real employers.

Knowing the potential red flags can help you avoid mistakenly giving away your financial information or paying bogus fees for jobs that don’t even exist. AARP Foundation has gathered everything you need to know below.

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How fake job scams work

Scammers may be trying to get your personal information to steal your identity, get you to give them money outright, or trick you into covering their criminal activity through a money laundering scheme.

Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for:

Fake job listings that ask you to pay a fee to complete their application or get training and materials. These are found more often on social media than reputable job sites like Indeed or LinkedIn, which screen their listings.
Credit report requests for your credit history to verify your eligibility for the position. They may even charge you to get the report.
Equipment purchases for remote jobs where you are asked to buy a laptop and are told you will be paid back in your first paycheck. Or they send you a fake check to cover the cost. Either way, your money is gone.
Emails from recruiters that ask for your personal information to finish an application. While you may get an email from an honest recruiter, they should never ask for your bank account or social security numbers.
Government job listings that require a fee to apply. Government jobs never require a fee and are typically only accessible on a few job sites like usajobs.gov.
Career advancement grants that say you’re eligible for a grant to pay for higher education or professional development services. The email directs you to a fake website where you input your personal information. The government never sends these kinds of emails.
Shipping schemes that offer an attractive salary for repackaging and reshipping goods. In most cases, you end up shipping stolen items and paying for the shipping fees without getting money for postal expenses back, not to mention a salary.

How to apply for jobs now

While the number of scams has increased since the pandemic, there are plenty of ways to make sure you don’t fall for them.

Do your own research. You can learn whether the job is real by typing the company name plus the words scam, complaint, or fraud into a search engine.
Don’t pay to work. Legitimate employers don’t ask you to pay to get hired or to purchase your own equipment.
Be careful with personal data. If a recruiter or job application asks for your social security number or bank account information, that’s another warning sign.
Watch for red flags. As with other scams, typos and misspellings are suspect. If the interviewer wants to move the conversation from a job search platform to an app — that’s another one. It’s how they cover their tracks.
Talk to others before taking a job. Discuss the opportunity with someone whose judgment and experience you trust — they may notice a warning sign you’ve missed.

If you’re looking to find work or earn extra money, AARP Foundation has many programs that can help you find your way — safely.

Curious about side hustles? Learn how to get started here.
Struggling with unemployment? Find support here.