Remote Job Scams: 10 Warning Signs To Look For

Is that remote job a scam? Sadly, as the search for remote work is rising, so are remote job scams.

Scammers now take advantage of vulnerable job seekers desperately trying to find online roles. If you’re currently applying for work-from-home jobs but are questioning whether some are legitimate, this post is for you.

I’ll share the most common scams and red flags to look out for so you don’t become a victim.

Be careful of job scams that promise good pay but aim to steal your identity or money. Remember, if a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

1. Your Interview Was Not With An Actual Person

A legitimate employer looking to hire would want to interact with candidates face-to-face, either by video conferencing or in person. If your interview was only with a chatbot or through messaging (i.e., texting and email), it’s likely a scam.

In my experience, it starts with a phone conversation with the company’s recruiter and then the hiring manager. If all goes well, candidates who proceed to the next round usually have several video conferencing interviews with the team.

For more senior-level roles, a company may even choose to fly out the top candidates to the office to interview in person.

Tip: all email communications should come from a business email (for example, name@businessname.com), not a Gmail or Yahoo account.

2. The Job Description is Vague and Requires Minimal Experience

Companies looking to fill open roles will always have specific and detailed job descriptions to attract the right talent. A vague job description is most likely a phishing attempt.

While entry-level remote jobs exist, most work-from-home jobs are for experienced professionals with technical skills.

If the job listing mentions no required experience, I’d proceed cautiously. Remote jobs have minimal oversight, so the likelihood of being hired with absolutely no experience is unlikely.

3. You Were Hired On The Spot

One of the biggest red flags is how quick the hiring process is. Most reputable employers will take a few weeks to evaluate numerous candidates. You should also meet with multiple people at the company.

A bad sign is if you had a brief conversation and were hired immediately after. Either they have an extremely toxic culture where employees leave fast, or the scammers are eager to pull you into their scheme.

4. You Can’t Find Much Information About The Company Online

When searching online about the company, if you can’t find much information about them, this is a red flag.

Sure, some start-ups won’t have an extensive online presence, but they always have a website with what they are building.

Additionally, start-ups are meticulous in their hiring processes since there is a lot on the line, and they do not usually hire entry-level roles.

If you cannot find the company’s name, a website, or your contact anywhere online, such as on LinkedIn, it’s probably a fake job.

5. You Never Received An Official Offer Letter

A legitimate company will send you an offer letter to review. The letter should state the terms of your employment, such as compensation, benefits, contingencies, and more.

You should be given a fair amount of time to review and negotiate these terms. This can be a red flag if you’ve never been provided one or are pressured to sign immediately.

The offer letter should come from a reputable company email (for example, name@businessname.com). If it’s from a Gmail or Yahoo account, it’s probably a scam.

Most companies accept electronic signatures now, so they may be sent to you via DocuSign or Adobe Sign.

6. They Won’t Provide You With A Company-issued Laptop

Any legitimate employer will send their remote employees a company-issued laptop.

Of course, there are some unique scenarios where you could use your own. This is the exception, not the role. I was always provided a laptop for every remote job I’ve ever had.

If they avoid sending you a laptop, I would question how they expect you to do the job. If your job handles any company information, you should expect a company-issued laptop with the proper firewalls.

7. They Want You To Cash A Check For “Office Supplies”

This is the most common scam happening to job seekers. Everything can seem legit up until this point.

The scammers posing as employers, want to send their new employees a check to cash. They’ll usually ask them to deposit the fake check and then send the money to some supplier to receive their work laptop and office supplies.

They’ll make it seem urgent, so it’s done before the bank has cleared the check and realizes it is fraudulent. What makes matters worse is the bank could hold you responsible for the counterfeit check and any funds provided to the scammer.

8. The Hourly Rate Sounds Too Good To Be True

Money doesn’t come easy. If the pay sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

No data entry job requiring zero experience will pay $30/hour. You’ll be lucky to find one for $20/hour. Do your research to determine what a realistic pay range is. I recommend using sites like Glassdoor to determine this.

9. You Have To Pay Money To Start Working

If the job requires you to spend your own money on a certificate or training program to get started, the job is probably a scam.

While training is always expected for new employees, this should always be paid for and covered by the employer. They may try to convince you they’ll pay you back later once you’ve completed it. Don’t fall for that.

Whatever you do, do not send money to an unknown contact, thinking that you’re signing up for a required training.

10. Your Gut Is Telling You Something Is Off

Always trust your gut. If something seems off with the job opportunity, it probably is.

A legitimate job will not have you questioning its validity, nor have any of the above red flags.

The Most Common Remote Job Titles For Scams

While any work-from-home job title has the possibility of being a scam, the most common are the entry-level roles that require little to no experience.

These fake job postings take advantage of individuals desperately seeking online work to supplement their incomes.

Some common job titles that scammers use to lure hopeful job seekers are:

Data Entry Clerk
Virtual Assistant
Customer Service Support
Secret or Mystery Shopper
Medical Billing

How To Protect Yourself From Online Job Scams

First, do not share any of your personal information. This includes your address, social security number, and bank information.

A legitimate job will need this information after you’ve accepted an offer, but you’ll need to ensure the job is, in fact, legitimate before sharing any of it.

Do your research, and under no circumstances deposit a check, pay, or wire any money.

What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed By An Online Job

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, you need to act quickly.

Notify your bank and freeze all your accounts to ensure no more money can be stolen.
Gather all the information and details from the scams to report. This includes emails, names of contacts, and links to the fake job posting and company.
Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by creating a claim ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If the scammers were posing as a legitimate company, notify the actual company and let them know of the fraud.
If you applied for the job on a job board site like LinkedIn, report it to them so they can remove the listing and do their own investigation.
Secure all of your accounts. Change the passwords and set up 2-step authentication where possible.
Continue to monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity, and consider signing up for identity theft monitoring.
Share your experience with others. Post on social forums like Reddit or Facebook to alert other job seekers of the scam.

Where To Find Legitimate Remote Jobs

The safest way to apply for remote jobs is directly on the company’s website.

You can find a lot of legitimate jobs on job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, Flexjobs, and more. But scammers have also found their way into these spaces. No matter where you apply, you need to be vigilant and look for the red flags to ensure you are not taken advantage of.

Final Words of Wisdom

Remember that scammers are constantly finding new ways to take advantage of online job seekers.

As you search for a remote job, keep these red flags in the back of your mind to avoid being scammed by fake job postings. Do not share your personal information, send money, or deposit checks in promises of work from home job.

Lastly, don’t rush into any situations out of desperation. I know it’s hard to find a remote job right now, but take your time to analyze the company.

Job interviews are a two way street. As much as the employer is interviewing you for a potential fit, you should be interviewing them back. If the are being vague in their responses or the situation feels off, keep searching and don’t give up hope!