Key takeaways
- Real employers never ask you to pay to start.
- Pressure and vague job details signal a scam.
- Verify the company and recruiter before you share data.
- Report scams to protect others.
On this page
Job scams keep growing
Remote work draws scammers. The Federal Trade Commission reports consumers lost 12.5 billion dollars to fraud in 2024. (1) Job and business opportunity scams made up a fast growing share.
How scammers target you
Scammers copy real company names and logos. They target people who need income fast. You protect yourself when you know the signs.
The biggest red flags
Warning signs to watch
- You must pay for training, equipment or a starter kit.
- The job pays far above normal rates for easy work.
- The recruiter contacts you on WhatsApp or Telegram only.
- You get hired with no interview.
- They send a check and ask you to return part of it.
- The email comes from a free address, not the company domain.
How to judge the risk
One red flag means slow down. Two means walk away.
Common scam types
Reshipping scams ask you to receive and forward packages. Fake check scams send you money that later bounces. Task scams pay small amounts for app tasks, then ask you to deposit money to unlock earnings. The FTC reports that job scam losses topped 220 million dollars in just the first half of 2024. (3)
Too good to be true offers
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Four checks before you reply
- Find the job on the company's official careers page.
- Search the company name plus "scam" or "reviews".
- Check the recruiter on LinkedIn and confirm they work there.
- Call the company using a number from its official website.
Where to search for jobs
Stick to trusted job boards. Our guide to remote work skills that pay well lists safe places to find real roles.
What to do if you get scammed
Stop all contact. Call your bank right away to stop payments. Change passwords you shared.
Where to report it
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If someone stole your identity, visit IdentityTheft.gov. Reports help authorities stop scammers. (4)
Frequently asked questions
Are all work from home jobs scams?
No. Millions of people work remotely for real employers. Verify each offer.
Can a real job send me equipment?
Yes, but real employers ship it to you for free. They never ask you to buy it first.
Why do scammers use messaging apps?
Apps hide their identity and make them hard to trace.
Is it safe to share my Social Security number?
Only after you verify the employer and receive a formal offer.
How do I start an honest online income?
Build a skill or sell a digital product. Start with the best digital products to sell.
Sources and notes
Numbers in brackets in this article point to the sources below.
- (1) Federal Trade Commission, New FTC data show a big jump in reported losses to fraud to 12.5 billion dollars in 2024, March 2025.
- (2) Terri Miller, FTC, College students are targeted by job scams too, April 2024.
- (3) FTC Data Spotlight, Paying to get paid: gamified job scams drive record losses, December 2024.
- (4) FTC, ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov.
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