Working from home can offer an appealing balance between the demands of your personal and work life. When looking for remote jobs, though, you will want to exercise caution with the opportunities you pursue.
With the rise in remote jobs, scammers have been updating their tactics to target people, specifically college students, who are looking for remote work. You will want to make sure the job you are applying for is legitimate.
Fake remote jobs may try to get your money through fake checks to buy office equipment. After you accept the fake job offer, the scammers will send you a bad check to buy office supplies for your new job and direct you to a scam vendor. By the time the fake check bounces, the scammers will have collected your money through the fake vendor, and you’re left owing money to your bank.
Unfortunately, this type of scam is very common, so it is important to remain vigilant on how to avoid them. Here are some ways to avoid remote job scams:
- Never use a check from someone you’ve never met. By the time you discover the check is fake, you’ll be left to cover the expenses.
- Verify the job through other online resources. You can do a quick Google search to see if the company you’re applying to exists. Adding search words like “scam” into your search can bring up other sources that may reveal the job is a scam.
- Don’t pay to work. No credible employers will ask you to pay for supplies to get the job.
- Notify your bank.Notify your bank, inform them of your concern, and request assistance with verifying the authenticity of the check.
With increased remote work opportunities, it’s important to be on guard against common fake job schemes. By being vigilant and staying current on common fraud schemes, you can be better equipped to pursue a fulfilling opportunity with a trusted employer.
FAQs
The red flag is them sending you a check to cash to buy equipment. Every remote or WFH job I've interviewed for has said they'll loan you the equipment needed. Any legit company wouldn't send you a check to go buy it yourself, if anything they'll tell you to send receipts and reimburse you.
Is it normal for a remote job to send you a check for equipment? ›
The red flag is them sending you a check to cash to buy equipment. Every remote or WFH job I've interviewed for has said they'll loan you the equipment needed. Any legit company wouldn't send you a check to go buy it yourself, if anything they'll tell you to send receipts and reimburse you.
How do online job scams work? ›
Scammers use a 'fake maker' to construct a realistic online presence to help sell the scam. They create fake company websites or clone real ones, fake banks with websites, official looking employment documents like offer forms, tax forms, personal information forms, and banking deposit information forms.
How do you know if a remote job is right for you? ›
8 Signs That Remote Work Is Right For Me
- You Crave & Excel with Autonomy. ...
- You Are Comfortable Working Alone. ...
- You Have Excellent Communication Skills. ...
- You Have Your Own Home Workspace. ...
- You Are Able to Maintain Proper Work/Life Balance. ...
- You Won't Miss The In-Office Environment. ...
- You Have Experience With Virtual Work.
How to spot a fake job offer
- The description is vague or unclear.
- It offers high pay for little effort.
- Similar jobs require more education.
- There are spelling and syntax errors.
- A company asks for your bank account.
- They don't ask to schedule an interview.
- You didn't apply for the position.
How to tell if a work from home job is a scam
- The job is too good to be true.
- There is little information on the company.
- A second contact cannot confirm the legitimacy of the job offer .
- There are warnings online.
- The employer is overly eager to hire.
- You have to pay to work.
- The employer communicates poorly.
12 Strategies for Investigating Suspected Remote Job Scams
- Search for Reviews. ...
- Keep the Better Business Bureau in Your Bookmarks. ...
- Never Give Information Up Front. ...
- Be Suspicious of Email Addresses Without a Clear Company Name. ...
- Ask for a Link to Their Website. ...
- Verify the Legitimacy of Their Company Website.
Legitimate remote jobs do exist, but it's vital that you research every potential company to make sure you're not dealing with a scam, and to make sure you're taking on the remote job that is right for you.
Is it hard to get hired for a remote job? ›
Getting a remote job is not so difficult, but it's different from getting a regular job. Some hiring platforms might be overcrowded. But if you're patient and if you're willing to boost your skills regularly, you'll get your turn to shine.
How do you ask if the job is remote or on site? ›
Ask Indirectly
A question like “Will most of the people I work with be onsite every day or will some be working remotely?” will help you figure out whether the company supports remote work.
Here are the seven ways you can tell if a job offer is a scam.
- The Recruiter Asks for Personal Information. ...
- Job Offer Seems Too Good To Be True. ...
- The Company Lacks Credibility Online. ...
- The Company Website Does Not Match the Job Listing. ...
- Job Description Is Vague. ...
- The Company Wants You To Pay Upfront.
A sketchy online presence or lack thereof is reason for suspicion. If you need help finding information about the company online or their website looks unprofessional or incomplete, it's likely a scam. Additionally, if they don't have a physical address or phone number on their website, that's a significant red flag.
Which is better, LinkedIn or Indeed? ›
Large and small companies across all industries are vying for top talent on both sites. However, LinkedIn may be better for small businesses that want to connect directly with potential candidates. Indeed, on the other hand, works well for big or international companies that want to cast a wide net.
Is it normal for a company to send you money for equipment? ›
Sometimes, they say you got the job and send you a check to buy equipment that you have to cash (and send money to them). But these are scams. Here are more ways to spot and avoid phony job postings: Verify job openings before you apply.
Do remote jobs pay for equipment? ›
Employers have a responsibility to provide necessary support to facilitate remote work. This includes: Equipment and Tools: Employers should provide essential equipment such as laptops, monitors, and software licenses necessary for remote work.
How to spot a fake check online? ›
If there's no bank logo on a check you've received, it's likely to be a fake. If there is a logo, check it against the bank's logo on its website to ensure it's identical. The quality of the printing counts, too. If the logo appears faded, it could have been scanned from a real check or taken from an online source.
