Job Scam Detector

Protect yourself from fake job postings and recruiter scams

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$2B+
Lost to job scams yearly (US)
14M
People targeted annually
43%
Increase since 2020

Paste the Job Posting

We'll analyze it for common scam indicators

Quick Red Flag Checklist

Click any red flags that apply to your situation

💰
They asked for money upfront (training, equipment, background check)
🏦
They want your bank info before hiring
📧
Recruiter uses Gmail/Yahoo instead of company email
🎯
Job offer without interview
⚡
Extreme urgency ("must decide today")
💵
Salary seems too high for the role
👻
Company has no online presence
📝
Vague job description ("work from home, make $$$")
🔗
Interview only via text/chat (no video/phone)
📍
No physical office address
✍️
Poor grammar/spelling in official communications
🔍
Can't find job on company's official website

Common Job Scam Types

Know what to look for

💳 Advance Fee Scam

They offer you a job but require you to pay for something first.

  • Pay for training materials or certification
  • Pay for background check (legit employers cover this)
  • Buy equipment from "their vendor"
  • Wire money for "onboarding fees"

💼 Fake Job Posting

The job doesn't exist. Goal is to harvest your personal information.

  • Job posted anonymously ("Confidential Company")
  • Immediate request for SSN, bank info, ID copies
  • No real company information available
  • Salary wildly above market rate

📦 Reshipping/Package Mule

"Work from home" job receiving and forwarding packages. This is money laundering.

  • Receive packages at home, reship to another address
  • Often called "Package Handler" or "Logistics Coordinator"
  • Easy money for little work
  • You become an unknowing participant in fraud

💸 Check Overpayment

They send you a check for more than owed, ask you to wire back the difference.

  • Send check for "equipment" that's more than needed
  • Ask you to wire/Zelle the difference
  • Check bounces days later - you're out the money
  • Often targets "personal assistant" roles

🎭 Identity Theft

Pretend to be a real company to steal your identity.

  • Email looks like real company but domain is slightly off
  • Rushing to get W-4, ID, SSN before "first day"
  • May even send fake offer letters
  • Company name is real but job isn't listed on their site

🤖 AI/Deepfake Interview

Newer scam using fake video interviews with AI-generated "recruiters."

  • Video interview but something seems "off"
  • Interviewer refuses to show on camera but you must
  • Audio slightly out of sync with lips
  • Ask for crypto payment for "international wire fees"

🏠 Work From Home Scam

Fake remote jobs that sound too good to be true.

  • "Make $500/day working 2 hours!"
  • Assembling products at home (pay for materials)
  • Data entry jobs with no company info
  • Multi-level marketing disguised as remote jobs

Company Verification Checklist

Before accepting any offer, verify these items

  • Search company on LinkedIn
    Does the company have a legitimate LinkedIn page with real employees?
  • Find the job on company's official website
    The exact role should be listed in their careers section
  • Check the recruiter's email domain
    Should match company domain ([email protected] not [email protected])
  • Find the recruiter on LinkedIn
    Profile should show current employment at that company
  • Search "[Company name] scam" on Google
    See if others have reported issues with this company
  • Check Better Business Bureau (BBB)
    Look for complaints or poor ratings
  • Verify physical address
    Google Maps street view - is it a real office or a P.O. box?
  • Check Glassdoor reviews
    Real companies have employee reviews (though absence isn't always bad for small companies)
  • Research the salary range
    Does the offered salary match market rate for this role and location?
  • Call the company's main number
    Ask to be transferred to HR. Verify the recruiter works there.

Email Verification Script

If you're unsure, send this email to verify

Got Scammed? Here's What To Do

If you gave money

  • Contact your bank immediately to dispute charges
  • If you wired money, contact the wire service (Western Union, etc.)
  • If you paid by gift card, contact the gift card company

If you gave personal information (SSN, bank info, ID)

Where to Report

  • FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
    ReportFraud.ftc.gov - Primary place to report job scams
  • FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
    IC3.gov - For online fraud
  • Your State Attorney General
    Search "[Your State] Attorney General fraud report"
  • Job Board Where You Found It
    Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter all have fraud reporting
  • The Real Company (if they were impersonated)
    Alert their HR/Legal team so they can warn others

You're Not Alone

Job scams are incredibly sophisticated. Even smart, experienced professionals get targeted. Don't be embarrassed - report it so others don't fall victim.

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