Nowadays, many people want to find remote work or work-from-home jobs. These jobs offer more freedom, better work-life balance, and no daily commute. But with more people looking for online jobs, scammers are also finding new ways to trick job seekers. So I present the simple ways on how to tell if a job is legitimate!
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There are many warning signs in fake job posts. Some use poor grammar, strange email addresses, or promises that are just too good to be true. They might ask for money, skip interviews, or avoid answering your questions. Always pay attention to these red flags – even if the job posting looks professional at first.
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1. No Interview Required
The pay position will be USD 400 per week. An interview is not required for this position, as this is a part-time position.
If you get a job offer without any interview, it’s likely a scam. A legitimate company will always want to speak with you, even just by phone or video call.
Interviews help the company know if you understand the job description. It’s also your chance to ask questions, like whether they provide a laptop, tools, or training.
Scammers use this trick to skip real communication and make you feel lucky. But don’t fall for it – legitimate companies need to know their future employees.
2. You’re Asked to Pay Upfront
Before you start your work with us, you have to pay a refundable registration fee, which is mandatory for company rules. Please pay $15 to our Paypal account. We will refund it to you after you have done your job.
No real job will ask you to pay upfront just to get hired.
Some scams ask for membership fees, training payments, or money for software you’ll “need” to use. They may ask for your credit card, gift card, or direct transfer to a personal bank account.
This is a big red flag. You’re working to earn money, not to spend money. Also, remember – if you’re traveling for a job, make sure you have health insurance for travel, but never buy it from the employer unless you’re sure they’re legit.
3. Work First, Pay Later
You will be paid after submitting a total of 100 approved articles.
Be cautious if the company wants you to submit tasks, such as writing articles or filling out forms, before any clear agreement.
They might promise payment “after review,” but then disappear. These scams are common on websites with no escrow or milestone payments.
Always ask for an offer letter or official contract before starting. And try to work through trusted platforms like Freelancer or Upwork, where your work is protected.
Tip: Keep a notebook & pen with you to write down whom you spoke to, what the job required, and deadlines. This helps track fake offers, too.
4. Shipping Fee for Work Equipment
Please provide USD 112 that will serve as a shipping fee of your equipment for training: MacBook, printer, fax machine, and headset.
Some scammers offer to send you a laptop, headset, or full home setup. But first, they ask you to pay a shipping fee – usually through bank accounts, GCash, or remittance centers.
Think about it: Why would a company send you expensive tools before knowing if you’re legit? Real companies ship equipment for remote jobs only after you’ve been hired and trained.
If they ask you to pay even $50 for delivery, don’t do it. You’ll lose money and never get the gear.
5. They Want to Send You Money First
The buyer will transfer money to your paper account; you will forward this money through Western Union – in this case, no one pays tax. All fees will be paid on my side.
This scam involves fake checks or transfers. They’ll say, “We’ll send you money, and you send part of it back for tax reasons, equipment, or another worker.”
What they’re doing is using your bank account for illegal activity like money laundering. You may be asked for your bank account information, which can be misused later.
This can lead to serious problems, even legal trouble. Never accept money from strangers, and never move money on behalf of someone you don’t fully trust.
6. They Ask for Personal or Financial Information Too Soon
Send us a copy of your I.D., Password, and PayPal Account.
Real employers don’t ask for your Social Security Number, bank account numbers, driver’s license, or credit card details until much later in the hiring process – often after you sign a contract.
Scammers want this info so they can steal your identity or commit fraud. They may even run ads using your name or charge money to your accounts.
Always protect your financial information and personal records. A legitimate company will set up payroll after you’re officially hired, not before.
7. You’re Asked to Recruit Others
You can get your pay as long as you recruit 25 others on the site.
A job that turns into recruiting others is likely a multi-level marketing (MLM) scam. These scams ask you to do “small tasks” at first, then suddenly ask you to invite others, pay a fee, or build your own “team.”
If you’re being pushed to grow a network just to earn money, that’s not a real job. Be especially cautious if there’s no clear job posting with duties and pay structure.
Some MLMs are legal but still risky. It’s best to stick with real jobs with fixed roles and set pay.
8. Fake Job Postings or Vague Job Descriptions
We look forward to reviewing your application; however, you can’t proceed until you complete our company application.
Scam jobs usually have vague job descriptions or missing details. They say things like: “Make money fast!” or “Earn $500 a day doing nothing!” but they never explain the job’s duties.
The job posting might also link to a site that looks fake or unfinished. These pages often collect your personal information, ID, or even bank account info under the claim of “registration.”
A real job will tell you what you’ll do, what skills are needed, and how much you’ll earn. If it feels unclear or strange, trust your instincts.
9. Too Good to Be True Offers
Jobs that offer a huge salary for very little effort are suspicious. You might see ads for minimal work, like typing or watching videos, with pay over $100 per hour.
That’s not how real jobs work. Legitimate companies pay based on your experience, skills, and time.
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always compare the offer to similar jobs on trusted platforms or job sites.
10. Unprofessional Communication and No Online Presence
Scammers often use free email addresses like [email protected] or @gmail.com instead of a proper company domain like @companyname.com.
They may also avoid phone or video interviews and only send you a text message. That’s not how professional websites or real businesses communicate.
Check if the company has an official website, LinkedIn profile, and good reviews. Look at their logos, job page, and team details. If you can’t find anything about them online, that’s a huge red flag.
Bonus Tip!
Here’s how to be extra sure the job offer is no scam: Before you apply or share your info, Google the company name. Check if they have an online presence, read reviews on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Indeed, and visit their official website.
Type in the name with “scam” like this: [Company Name] scam or [Company Name] fake job.
See if others have warned about it. You can also check if the job offer was posted on verified job websites where the probability of getting a good job is high. If not, it could be an unsolicited job offer, which should always be treated with caution.
Having a good setup, like even a water bottle with a filter nearby, helps you stay focused while working remotely.
Final Thoughts
More people than ever are turning to remote work, and that’s an exciting shift. But along with real opportunities come fake job listings that can steal your time, money, and personal information.
Stay sharp. Don’t pay to get hired. Don’t give away your personal or financial information too early. Always check the company’s domain, official website, and online presence. And most of all – trust your gut.
Keeping in mind all this, you will land the remote job you truly deserve!
FAQ
Additionally, once a resume is downloaded off a website, it is out of your and the database’s control. Once a scammer has your personal information, they can set up bank accounts in your name and potentially access your accounts.
Applicant’s accounts (LinkedIn, GitHub, etc.) only contain very basic information. Discrepancies in the number of LinkedIn profile connections are not consistent with the length of their pretended career. Some information on resumes is copied from real individuals or top talent.
If you’re still waiting for a response following an interview, you can politely ask for a status update. To do this, send a short and polite email that expresses your continued interest in the role and your wish to find out whether there is any update.
About the Writer
Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.