Fake Job Postings: How To Avoid Remote Job Scams

The truth is online jobs can be riddled with job scams, and scammers understand how much people want to work from home. They impersonate employers and hiring managers in order to obtain personal financial information from job seekers. Here’s what you need to know:

What Is Work-from-Home Job Scam?

A job scam is a fraudulent scheme that promises job opportunities but instead takes advantage of job seekers by asking for money, personal information or both.

Scammers may use various strategies such as posting fake job listings on job boards or social media platforms, contacting job seekers directly through email or phone, or imitating legitimate companies and websites. These scams may ask for upfront payments for things like background checks, training materials, or software or may try to obtain sensitive personal information like a Social Security number or bank account information. They may also ask for a fee to submit an application, and then never actually provide the job.

What Is Work-from-Home Job Scam?

• Mystery shopper scams: Job offers that require applicants to pay a fee to become a “mystery shopper” and then never provide the job.
  
  
• Envelope stuffing jobs: Job offers that require payment for a list of companies that will pay you to stuff envelopes, but the list is either non-existent or the companies are not hiring.
  
  
• Phishing: Phishing is a type of online fraud that attempts to steal personal information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or social security numbers, by tricking individuals into providing it through fake or “spoofed” websites, emails, or text messages. Phishers use various tactics to deceive their victims, such as: Creating fake websites that look like legitimate ones by using similar logos, layouts, and language.
  
  
• Assembling products job scam: Assembling products job scams are fraudulent schemes that involve individuals being hired to work from home assembling products, such as crafts or jewelry. In these scams, the individuals are typically asked to purchase a kit or materials and are promised that they will earn a significant profit by assembling and selling the finished products.
  
  
• Rebate Processing jobs: Job offers that require payment for a list of companies that will pay you to process rebates, but the list is either non-existent or the companies are not hiring.
  
  
• Pyramid Marketing scam: Pyramid marketing schemes are often fraudulent and illegal because they rely on recruiting new members rather than selling a legitimate product or service. They promise high financial returns to early participants, but the vast majority of people who join these schemes end up losing money.
  
  
• Work From Home Reshipping Scam: Work-from-home reshipping scams are fraudulent schemes that involve individuals being hired to work from home as a “reshipper” or “freight forwarder.” In these scams, the individuals are typically asked to receive packages at their home and then ship them to another address, often overseas.
  
  
• Data Entry and Processing job: Job offers that require payment for a list of companies that will pay you to process data, but the list is either non-existent or the companies are not hiring.
  
  

Here are basic things you can do to protect yourself from work-from-home job scam

1. Research the company: Before applying for any job on any site, research the company to make sure it’s legitimate. Indeed, there are remote job scams. So, make use you look for reviews or testimonials from other employees or check the Better Business Bureau‘s website for any complaints.
   
   
2. Use Common Sense: If something appears to be too good to be true or if something does not add up, don’t be afraid to walk away from the opportunity.
   
   
3. Be wary of high-paying jobs: Be wary of remote jobs that pay well for little work. If a job appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
   
   
4. Never pay to apply: Legitimate work-from-home jobs will never ask you to pay to apply or buy equipment or software.
   
   
5. Don’t give out personal information: Be cautious about giving out personal information to a potential employer, such as your Social Security number or bank account information.
   
   
6. Be suspicious of unsolicited job offers: If you haven’t applied for a job and you receive an unsolicited offer, be suspicious. Scammers may use this tactic to trick you into giving them personal information.
   
   
7. Check the job requirements: Make sure to check the job requirements to see if the job requires any certifications or specific experience, and that the company is asking a reasonable salary for the position.
   
   
8. Examine the Job Description: Some scammers may advertise work-from-home jobs that aren’t exactly what the job entails. Before accepting the job, read the job description carefully and ask any questions you may have.
   
   
9. Be careful of “Easy Apply”: Many popular job search engines have “Easy Apply” options that allow job seekers to easily apply on their site as opposed to redirecting the applicants to an external website (company website). Scammers have gotten pretty good at creating fake job postings on those popular job boards in an attempt to collect personal information from job seekers. So, be careful of “easy apply”. Try as much as possible to research the company to see if it’s real and apply directly on the company website.
   

The following are some examples of scam job search ads and personal experiences of job seekers.

1. Unsolicited job offers

2. Too good to be true

3. Fake Check Scams

We do not allow scammers or unverified companies to post jobs on our website. Every job on our site has been vetted and hand-screened. Clicking on any job on EffizoJobs directs you to the company website, where you can apply and track your progress for free. However, It’s always advisable to do your homework.


Check online reviews and research the company’s website and social media profiles to get a sense of their legitimacy, and be wary of jobs that seem too good to be true.

Are you looking for legitimate work-from-home opportunities quickly? Freely search job here or sign up for our job alerts.