Job Scams: How to Spot Fake Job Postings

Finding a job has become increasingly difficult in today’s saturated and competitive labor market. As if job hunting wasn’t already complicated enough, the growing demand for work has also brought a rise in employment scams where scammers are targeting jobseekers to gain access to personal information, financial resources, or unpaid labor. Here are five red flags you should look out for when conducting your job search.

1. Suspicious company credentials

Fraudulent job postings often contain vague descriptions of the job responsibilities, qualifications, and the company itself. As fake listings become more common, researching a company and verifying the listing is legitimate is a crucial part of any job search. A lack of online presence, such as no official website, reviews, or active social media accounts, is a common warning sign. Also, be cautious of employers using email domains that don’t match a company’s official website URL (this includes typos or added characters) as well as employers using free email domains (such as Gmail or Yahoo).

2. Minimal experience required

Minimal to no experience required isn’t an immediate red flag, but it can be. Scammers will usually target younger jobseekers, typically recent high school or college graduates who lack the experience to discern between a legitimate and a suspicious hiring process. They also target job seekers with employment gaps who might be more likely to ignore warning signs. If the requirements seem targeted toward inexperienced jobseekers or those re-entering the workforce, while simultaneously being overly broad, such as being over 18, owning a computer, or being able to type, proceed with caution and scan for other red flags.

3. High paying work from home jobs

Although not all remote positions are fake, scammers are aware of the increased search for remote work. If you come across a job listing that promotes making your own schedule, making a lot of money in a short period with little work, or targeting stay-at-home parents, that is almost certainly a scam. Part-time work for full-time pay doesn’t typically happen in today’s economy. Common job titles you may come across include “Data-Entry Clerk,” “Virtual Assistant,” “Medical Billing Clerk,” “Marketing Assistant,” or “Administrative Assistant/Coordinator.”

4. Strong urgency to hire

Generally, the hiring process can take between 14 days to 45 days, depending on the industry and position. If you come across an employer who seems overly eager to hire you, especially if all screening was conducted in writing or using AI screening tools, proceed with caution. Creating a strong sense of urgency is a common tactic of scammers. Real remote positions do exist in today’s market, but there are still steps that need to be taken in the hiring process which may include phone screens, assessments, and video or team panel interviews.

5. Money or personal information requests

Job scammers often use fake checks, upfront fees, and requests for personal information to steal money and identities. They may request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or wire transfers. A fraudulent check may be sent to “buy start-up equipment” and appear valid at first but later bounce, leaving you responsible while the scammer keeps any money you sent. Be wary of employers requesting sensitive information, such as Social Security Number (SSN) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII), before you are officially hired and onboarding. Personal information is required for tax documents and direct deposit after you’ve been hired, not before.

Job scams can be convincing, but knowing the warning signs can help you protect yourself during your job search. Taking a few extra precautions, carefully researching an employer’s legitimacy, and trusting your instincts can help you avoid fraud.

As the largest staffing company in Hawai’i, we strive to make meaningful connections between jobseekers and employers by matching talent to legitimate job openings. From entry-level to expert-level roles, we want to help you find the right fit, without worrying about the scams.