Financial Fraud
Employment Scams
Scammers post fake job listings or send unsolicited job offers to trick applicants into sending money or personal information.
How It Works
- You find a job listing (often for remote work or a personal assistant) that seems too good to be true (high pay, minimal requirements).
- The "interview" process is often quick and conducted via text or instant messenger.
- After being "hired", you are asked to pay for equipment, background checks, or training materials, sometimes with the promise of reimbursement.
- Alternatively, they may ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number and bank details for "direct deposit".
Red Flags
- Job offers without a proper interview process.
- Requests for you to pay for your own equipment or background check.
- Vague job descriptions and responsibilities.
- Communication from personal email addresses (e.g., @gmail.com) instead of a corporate domain.
- Being sent a check to purchase supplies (see Fake Check Scams).
Prevention Tips
- Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay for a job or equipment upfront.
- Research the company thoroughly. Look for an official website and online presence.
- Be wary of on-the-spot job offers.
- Never provide your bank account or Social Security number before you have verified the employer is legitimate.
Example Scenario
"You are offered a remote data entry job paying $45/hour after a brief chat interview. The "HR manager" then tells you to send $300 via Zelle to their "approved vendor" for a pre-configured laptop."