Fake Job Listings, Phony Interviews, and Other Common Job Search Scams

Ever been scrolling through job listings only to come across the seemingly perfect role? It matches your skillset, pays an incredibly high salary, and offers a remote work schedule. You submit your application only to find that something seems off—they ask for financial information upfront, the job description doesn’t match the listing, or the hiring manager’s emails are full of mistakes and confusing language. Yes friends, you may have come into contact with a scammer. Here’s what you need to know.

Fake Job Descriptions

Not all job descriptions are created with honest intentions. Scammers often post fake job listings to harvest resumes, gather personal information, or bait applicants into clicking malicious links. Worse yet, some scammers may even impersonate real companies using their logos and language to appear legitimate.

Be on the lookout for vague or generic lists of job responsibilities such as “data entry” or “remote assistant” that fail to provide specifics. Another red flag is a job description promising overly high pay for minimal experience. Of course, you should also be cautious about job listings that don’t include contact information or links, or that have poor grammar and other inconsistencies.

A good rule of thumb is if a job listing seems off, take some time to conduct an internet search to determine whether the job opening appears on the company’s official careers page. If it doesn’t, there’s a good chance it’s a scam.

Phantom Jobs

Some companies will actually post job listings as a way to test market interest, gather resumes for future use, or just to appear active. In certain cases, the job may already be filled or may never have existed in the first place.

This can be incredibly frustrating for job seekers, especially when they’ve gone through multiple extended interview rounds before realizing the employer was never serious about hiring anybody. Keep your eyes open for jobs that have been listed for months or that have been reposted over and over again.

Other signs a company isn’t really hiring might include vague interactions with the hiring manager or being asked to take multiple tests or fill out countless forms (sometimes this equates to you doing unpaid work for the “employer”), especially when there’s little to no follow-up.

Interview Scams

If you get an interview request minutes after applying or before you’ve spoken to a real person, you might be dealing with a fake recruiter. That's right, these scams often involve emails, messaging apps like WhatsApp, and even phone calls. Unbelievably, these scammers may actually conduct “virtual interviews” that lead nowhere.

Signs to watch out for include interviews that are conducted via text or chat with no video or phone calls, or “recruiters” who use personal emails (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). Along with this, be particularly careful about individuals who immediately ask you for sensitive information such as your Social Security Number or banking details, or who ask you to buy equipment with the promise of being reimbursed later.

Companies and recruiters who are legitimate will never ask for personal or financial information before the onboarding process, and they certainly won’t ask you to front money for equipment.

Questionable Job Offers

Receiving a job offer is exciting, but if the details are confusing or otherwise seem questionable, don’t ignore it. Some scammers send fake offer letters with official-looking logos, urging candidates to sign quickly before discussing terms of employment.

Once again, these types of scams may ask you to send personal identification, bank information for “direct deposit,” or perhaps even a processing fee. Remember, no honest company would do any of these things.

If you’re unsure, call the company directly using the contact number listed on their official website and confirm the person you’re speaking with is actually employed there and authorized to make offers.

How to Protect Yourself

Just because there are so many scams out there doesn’t mean job seekers need to live in fear. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting caught in a scam:

• Always vet the company: Look up their website, check LinkedIn, and read any reviews you can find.
• Double-check recruiter details: Real recruiters use company email addresses and will be transparent about their role.
• Trust your gut: If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Be on the lookout for job listings, communications, and situations that are too vague, too quick, or too easy.
• Never share sensitive information upfront: This includes your Social Security Number, bank details, or your full address.
• Report scams: If you’ve encountered a job scam, report it to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) or your local authorities. You’ll be helping others avoid the same fate.

During a job search, you’re already navigating resumes, cover letters, follow-up emails, and interviews—you shouldn’t have to worry about scammers. Unfortunately, these types of scams are a reality so staying sharp during your job search is incredibly important.

Rob Porter is an editor at Vault.