If you’re looking for a job opportunity and it seems too good to be true, maybe it is. There are fraudsters out there who wish to take advantage of the hard work you’ve put in to get the next stage of your career.
Employment scams rose from the third riskiest in 2021 to the second riskiest in 2022, according to a recent report from the Better Business Bureau. Here are some things to be on the lookout for during your job search to avoid falling for a job scam.
Research the person who contacted you.
If you suspect the person contacting you could be a scammer, look them up. A quick online search should reveal if they work for the company they claim to represent, and look up the company the recruiter is representing to make sure it’s legit.
They Ask for Sensitive Information
Recruiters are trained to ask job candidates certain questions to produce a well-rounded overview for hiring managers. During a candidate screening, questions on your recent work experience, education, and hard and soft skills are appropriate to ask.
If you are asked to give personal information such as your social security number or tax identification number during the interview process, this should generate some concern and could be a scam. Most businesses will only request personal information once you have accepted an offer and are onboarded as an employee.
They Request Money
Most job seekers and recruiters will discuss compensation, but that should be the extent of the discussion during the interview. A company should never request a credit card number to hire you, and you should never pay for training unless the industry is government-regulated and requires a license.
Giving out personal information puts you at risk of identity theft. If the job posting includes a form to fill out that does not appear to be legitimate or requests more than just basic contact information, be aware that you may be the victim of a phishing scam.
They Have too Many Communications Errors
Job descriptions and postings are often written by hiring managers and HR personnel, who must ensure professionalism in communication. If a job description contains grammatical errors, applicants should be cautious. Additionally, check the email address, which should be a business email account versus a free email provider or personal account.
It’s important that victims of job scams report them to:
- Better Business Bureau—BBB.org or BBB.org/scamtracker.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—reportfraud.ftc.gov or call (877) FTC-Help.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)—ic3.gov/complaint.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre—antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or (888) 495-8501.
About Express Employment International
Express Employment International supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and affiliated brands, including Specialized Recruiting Group and Express Healthcare Staffing. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Last Updated on October 30, 2025
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