Job seekers often ask me, how do you know if the job listing is legitimate? One thing I’d hate for a job seeker to encounter is a fake listing that ends up soliciting hard earned money. This article will show you ways to spot an employment scam.

You might find yourself in one of three scenarios –

1. You’re browsing job listings online and questioning their legitimacy.

2. You’re in contact with an employer, but your exchange feels suspicious.

3. You’ve been hired for a job that you question is real.

Find the category you’re in and read on about how to handle your case.

Is this job a fake listing?

What to beware of when browsing jobs…

• Look for common scam keywords. Scam listings include words such as, no experience necessary, work from home, get rich fast. Some common scam job titles include, envelope stuffing, shipping manager, wire transfer, rebate processor, Sales, Sports Marketing.

• Avoid listings that overuse exclamations and CAPS LOCK.
• Be aware of vague or inconsistent contact information. Some scams use a legitimate company name, but the employer’s email address is from a free email client versus a company email address.

Example of an illegitimate listing:

Sports Marketing Analyst.

Job Requirements: Minimum age 18; phone number; regular bank account (checking/ savings). ***IMMEDIATE HIRE*** We Will Train!
Entry Level – $500 – $1000 Weekly. 5 positions left.
Start your Career in Sports Marketing!!!

Am I in the process of a job scam?

Red flags to look for in the hiring process…

You should not be required to pay to start work. Some common scams include:

• Training. Paying upfront fees before your employment, such as for your training or training materials.
• Paperwork. Paying to process your new hire paperwork.
• Credit Report/Background Check. Paying to get a credit report or background check done, with the prospect of an interview if the reports come out well.
• Purchase a product. Requiring the applicant to purchase the company’s product, with a promise to reimburse at a later time.

Other scams involve the scammer sending you a sum of money and then asking that you send a percent back:

• Send back money. These scans work by sending the job seeker a fake check to cash. They’ll deposit the check and while it’s processing in the bank, the company will say there’s a mistake in the amount they sent and ask to be sent ¾ or more of the amount back. The job seeker believes the money is already in the bank, so they send back the requested amount; in a few days, the fake check will bounce.

Some scams try to obtain your personal information:

• Fill out additional forms. You have not yet received a job offer, but are being asked to fill out an online application with sensitive information, such as bank information.
• Set up Direct Deposit. If you have no been hired, there is no need to set up a direct deposit account. Be suspicious if an “employer” asks you to set up a direct deposit account before an interview.

Is my current job fake?

Signs that you have accepted a fake job…

If you find yourself questioning whether or not your current job is real, consider if it sounds like these common work-at-home job scams. Usually, you’ll never have met the employer and are asked to perform a specific and routine set of duties. Some of these include:

• Reshipping packages that the employer has sent to your house (Usually these are stolen packages, and once you reship them, you can be held liable for the theft).
• Assembly Jobs selling craft kits that you’ve assembled. You’ll be required to spend money on the package to get you started…and never be reimbursed.
• Posting ads and getting paid when others sign-up through your ad.

If you have any suspicions of the job, run an engine search to see if anyone has listed the company as a scam. If nothing shows up, then check with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov

I hope these tips have helped you in achieving a safer job search. If you have any friends or family who are job searching, make sure to share this article and keep them safe!