Work · Finding work

Job scams and how to spot them

Real employers never charge you to get hired, never send a check and ask you to send part back or buy gift cards with it, and reshipping packages is never a real job. Placement firms usually charge the employer, not you. Before you accept, search the company name plus "scam," "review" or "complaint," and never give your Social Security number or bank details until you've verified the job is real.

Easy12 min to read; 10 min to check an offerFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

The job post or message
The company's and recruiter's names
Someone you trust to run it by

What to know

Never pay for the promise of a job. Honest employers, including the federal government, never ask you to pay to get hired; anyone who does is a scammer. Source: FTC¹
Never use a new employer's check to send money back, buy gift cards, wire money or buy crypto. That's a fake check scam: the check bounces, and the bank wants you to repay the full amount. Source: FTC¹
Know that money showing in your account doesn't mean the check is good. Banks must make deposited funds available quickly, but a fake check can take weeks to be discovered. Source: FTC²
Turn down any "job" receiving packages, removing the receipts and reshipping them. Reshipping is never a real job; the goods are often bought with stolen cards. Source: FTC¹
Be wary of placement firms that charge you. Honest placement firms usually get paid by the hiring company. If one wants a fee, especially up front, walk away. Source: FTC¹
Search the company or person's name plus "scam," "review" or "complaint." No complaints doesn't guarantee a company is honest, but complaints can tip you off. Source: FTC¹
Talk to someone you trust before you say yes. It gives you time to think. Source: FTC¹
Use reliable job sources: USAJOBS.gov for federal jobs, CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) and local government sites. Source: FTC¹ For Postal Service jobs, apply only at about.usps.com/careers; USPS never charges to apply or take an exam. Source: Postal Inspectors⁴

Watch out Scammers post on real job sites and social media, and send messages that look like they come from your college or a group you know. Source: FTC¹ A familiar name isn't proof.

Common job scams

From the FTC. Source: FTC¹

Scam	What happens
Work from home, big money, little effort	You pay for starter kits, training or useless certifications
Virtual assistant, nanny or caregiver	They send a check, you keep some and send the rest on; the check bounces
Mystery shopper	They pay you by check to "test" a wire service or buy gift cards
Reshipping or quality control	You repackage stolen goods; the promised paycheck never comes, and they may have your personal info
Car wrap ads	They send a check and ask you to pay a "decal installer"
Government or postal jobs for a fee	Information and applications are always free

Red-flag checklist

They hired you without a real interview, or promise lots of money for little work Source: FTC USPIS¹⁴
They want a fee for training, equipment, certification or the application Source: FTC¹
A check arrives with instructions to send some of it somewhere Source: FTC²
The job is receiving and reshipping packages Source: FTC¹
They want payment by gift card, crypto or wire Source: FTC²

If a "recruiter" asks for money

"I don't pay to apply or to be hired. If the job is real, please send the company's official posting and I'll apply there."

See it done

Video by FTCvideos Government

Job Scams Warning with FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson

Watch on YouTube: Job Scams Warning with FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson

2025 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Already paid? No matter how you paid (card, payment app, wire, gift card, cash reload card or crypto), contact the company you used right away, report the fraud and ask to reverse it. The FTC's What to do if you were scammed explains each payment type. Source: FTC¹
Paid with a gift card? Tell the card company and the store where you bought it right away; if you act fast, they might get your money back. Source: FTC²
Gave them your Social Security number or bank info "for payroll"? You may now have an identity theft problem. Source: FTC¹ Follow Recovering from identity theft.
Report job scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. Source: FTC¹ If the mail was used, report it to the Postal Inspection Service. Source: USPIS⁴

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Business opportunities

Before joining any money-making program, read the FTC's guides on multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes. Source: FTC¹ See also Investment fraud red flags.

Selling online?

A buyer who "accidentally" overpays by check and asks for a refund of the difference is running a fake check scam. Source: FTC²

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

Federal Trade Commission Job scams
Federal Trade Commission How to spot, avoid and report fake check scams
Federal Trade Commission What to do if you were scammed
U.S. Postal Inspection Service USPS and government employment scams

Lesson W1.5 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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