Work-from-Home Scams: What You Need to Know
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Throwing on sweatpants, skipping the commute and logging on in the comfort of your own space—working from home sounds like a dream, right? While remote work has grown in popularity over the past few years, so have the scams that prey on job seekers. Fraudsters know that many people are eager to land flexible work—and they’re turning that dream into a nightmare.
Work-from-home scams often lure people into sending money or sharing personal information under the guise of a legitimate opportunity. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. With a little knowledge and awareness, you can spot the warning signs and protect yourself. We’ll walk you through the red flags to watch for, tips to verify job postings and safe places to find real remote jobs.
Warning Signs of Work-from-Home Scams
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Unsolicited job offers: Be cautious of offers that come out of the blue, especially if you didn’t apply.
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Personal email addresses: Legitimate recruiters or hiring managers will use a company email—not a Gmail, Yahoo or other personal account.
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Spelling and grammar errors: Professional companies proofread carefully. Consistent mistakes can be a red flag.
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Suspicious messaging apps: Scammers sometimes ask you to continue communication through apps like Telegram or WhatsApp instead of official email or phone channels. Legitimate employers rarely request this, so proceed with caution.
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Unrealistic salaries or benefits: If you see something like $40 an hour for an entry-level role or unusual perks—such as free medical coverage—be skeptical.
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Payment requests: Real employers don’t ask you to pay fees, purchase equipment or handle overpayment checks before starting a job. If anyone does, it’s time to walk away.
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Getting paid before you work: Receiving a paycheck before you’ve done anything is a red flag. Scammers use fake checks to lure you in. By the time the check bounces, you have likely already handed over sensitive details.
Verify Before You Apply
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Check the company: Visit the careers page on the official website. If in doubt, call the main phone number to confirm the posting.
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Research recruiters: Look them up on LinkedIn or the company’s employee page to make sure they actually work there.
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Read reviews: Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed and LinkedIn allow you to see what others are saying about the company.
How to Protect Yourself
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Never share personal or financial information with recruiters you haven’t verified.
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Avoid clicking links in emails or messages claiming to be job offers—they could redirect to scam sites.
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Trust your instincts. If an opportunity feels too good to be true, it probably is.
If You Are Targeted
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Stop all communication with the suspected scammer.
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Save emails, messages or other evidence.
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Report it right away to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or to your state consumer protection office.
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If you shared financial details, contact Members 1st immediately.
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For identity theft concerns, visit identitytheft.gov for recovery steps.
Where to Find Real Remote Jobs
Stick to established, reputable platforms when searching for work-from-home jobs. Sites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor are widely used, while FlexJobs stands out for thoroughly vetting every posting. Another safe bet? Apply directly through a company’s official careers page. You will still need to use caution, but these options are generally safer than random postings on social media.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
Remote work can be an amazing opportunity, but only if it’s real. Protect yourself by staying alert, doing your homework and knowing the signs of a scam. With the right precautions, you can find a legitimate job that gives you the flexibility and balance you’re looking for—without the stress of fraud.
Download our Cybersecurity Awareness Checklist for a step-by-step guide to spotting and stopping fraud.
