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Fake Job Offer and Work-From-Home Scams

Real jobs do not ask you to pay up front or cash a check and send back part. Learn the patterns before you apply.

Step by step

  1. Research the company. Official site and reviews.
  2. Avoid fees. Real employers do not charge to hire you.
  3. Beware check overpayment. The check will bounce.
  4. Protect your data. Do not send your Social Security number early.
  5. Interview by video or in person. Not only chat.

What to expect

Expect offers that arrive unasked by text or email, an interview over chat only, high pay for simple tasks and requests for personal details, equipment purchases or check deposits.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not deposit a check and send money back. Do not buy equipment from a supplier the employer names. Do not share Social Security number before a verified offer.

A good next step

Search the company name with scam, check that the job exists on the company's own website, and call its main number.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

List ten signs of a job scam and give me five questions to ask a possible employer to check they are real.

Good to know. A job that pays far too much for easy work is a warning sign.

Want to try this with a friendly teacher?

Join a free live class on Zoom. Small group, no experience needed, no sign-up fee.

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Common questions

What if I gave my information?

Freeze your credit and monitor accounts.

Are remote jobs real?

Many are, but verify.

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