If you’re looking for a job or internship, scammers are looking for you. Scammers advertise jobs and internship opportunities exactly where real employers do, including popular websites and the classifieds. They may say they’ve got a job waiting, or guarantee to place you in an internship, if you just pay a fee. Legitimate employers and firms DO NOT ask you to pay for the promise of a position.
Know the signs
Be suspicious if a listing contains any of the following:
- Asks for your bank account number so they can pay you.
- Asks you to pay money or to give them secure personal information.
- Asks you to buy equipment or supplies for a virtual job.
- Links to a generic e-mail address (like Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo) not corporate or academic e-mail.
- Requires no interview or previous experience.
- Came "out of the blue" to your inbox or phone.
- Doesn't list a recognizable department, university, or company.
- Sends you a check before you accept an offer or have done any work.
- Sounds too good to be true!
Learn more about employment scams and how to protect yourself:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guide to job scams
- Steer clear of job scams | LinkedIN Learning Video
- Phoenix college student loses $3,100 due to job scam | AZFamily 3TV and CBS 5 News YouTube video