How to spot a job scam

Most employers are honest. Scammers copy the look of real job ads to get your money or your personal details. These signs mean you should stop and check.

Warning signs

• You are asked to pay. A real employer does not charge you for training, equipment, a "starter kit" or a background check before you are hired.
• You get a check to deposit and "send back the rest". The check will bounce and you will owe the bank the money.
• They want gift cards, wire transfers or crypto. No real employer pays or gets paid this way.
• They ask for your Social Security number or bank details before a formal offer. You only give these after you accept a written offer, usually on official hiring forms.
• The interview happens only by text or chat app (for example Telegram or WhatsApp), or you are hired with no interview.
• The pay is much higher than normal for very little work.
• The email address does not match the company (for example a free email account for a large company).

What JOBUS does

• We check every company before it can post jobs on JOBUS. Look for the Verified employer badge.
• Messages from employers that ask for payment, gift cards, bank or Social Security details are held and checked by our team.
• Links from employers open a warning page before you leave JOBUS.

What you can do

1. Stop and do not send money or personal details.
2. Use Report on the job, company or message. Our team checks reports within one business day.
3. If you lost money, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and your bank right away.