10 Common Job Search Scams

If you’re looking for employment, you need to be aware of job search scams.

Flexible jobs website FlexJobs.com recently released a list of common job search scams that the uninformed job seeker could fall victim to if they’re not careful.

While these types of schemes can take many forms, in this article I’ll focus on some of the most prevalent job search scams and the signs you should look for.

I’ll also get some advice from money expert Clark Howard, who is always on the lookout for ways crooks try to steal your money.

Watch Out for These Job Search Scams

A lot of times, you can sniff out a work-from-home job search scam by remembering one adage that applies to many situations: “If it seems too good to be true…”

Here are some major red flags that may signal that a job may be a scam:

• The recruiter is overly eager to get you to accept the job offer.
• You are asked to provide your Social Security number and other sensitive information early on in the process.
• The job requires you to pay a fee or other expenses upfront.

And Clark cautions against getting caught up in recruitment schemes.

“If the big push is about recruiting other people into an organization, if that’s where all the money is made, then it will tend toward being a pyramid,” Clark says. “On the other hand, if the real money is made selling products or services to those not involved in the organization, then it is likely a legitimate multi-level marketing organization.”

When it comes to job search scams, here are the ones you’re most likely to run across while looking for remote work.

10 Common Work-at-Home Job Search Scams

1. Data Entry Scams

2. Pyramid Marketing

3. Stuffing Envelopes

4. Wire Transfers

5. Unsolicited Job Offers

6. Online Re-Shipping

7. Rebate Processing

8. Assembling Crafts/Products

9. Career Advancement Grants

10. Fake URLs

Read the full report, including details on how to identify these scams, from FlexJobs.com.

FlexJobs is a job search website that focuses on identifying legitimate job postings, but it’s not free. The service charges $14.95/month because a real person reviews every single job posting to help you avoid bogus listings and scams. If you are interested in any of the jobs on this list, try visiting the specific company’s job site directly or read this article from Team Clark before you sign up for FlexJobs.

Final Thoughts

If you see a job posting that interests you, but you’re not familiar with the company, do your due diligence by looking them up.

Try to find out as much as you can about the job and the employer before you take the time to apply.

Looking for more tips to stay safe? Here are five ways to spot fake work-from-home jobs.

More Job Resources From Clark.com:

• Best Resume Template: 9 Ways To Update Your Resume
• Work From Home Guide: Legit Work-at-Home Job Opportunities
• 25 Best LinkedIn Profile Tips and Tricks