Work · Finding work
Job scams and how to spot them
Honest employers never make you pay to get a job, and never send you a check to deposit and then ask you to send some of it back. Search the company name with "scam" before you say yes.
What to know
- Never pay for the promise of a job. Honest employers, including the federal government, won't ask you to. Source: FTC
- Never deposit a check and send part of it back. The check will bounce, and the bank will want you to repay the full amount. Source: FTC
- Turn down anything that has you reshipping packages. Reshipping is never a real job. Source: FTC
- Search the company or person's name plus "scam," "review" or "complaint" before you accept. Source: FTC
- Find government jobs only at USAJOBS.gov or usps.com/employment. It's always free to apply. Source: FTC
Watch out Scammers post on real job sites and send messages that look like they come from your school or a group you know. Source: FTC A familiar name isn't proof.
Good to know
Already paid?
No matter how you paid, contact the company you used to send the money right away, report the fraud and ask to reverse the payment. Source: FTC The FTC's What to do if you were scammed explains each payment type.
Work-from-home pitches
Ads promising thousands a month for little effort often end with you paying for starter kits, training or useless certifications. Source: FTC
Report it
Report job scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission Job scams
- Federal Trade Commission What to do if you were scammed
- Federal Trade Commission ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Lesson W1.5 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.
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