---
title: "Job scams: warning signs"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: Federal Trade Commission, \"Job Scams\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: career
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of Federal Trade Commission. Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by Federal Trade Commission."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
source_check_note: "Live site blocks automated fetches (404/403); facts re-verified 2026-11-02 against Internet Archive snapshots listed as archive_url."
date: 2026-11-02
category: career
tags: career, scams, job-search
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Job Scams"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20261021021800/https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Mystery shopping, (fake) checks, and gift cards"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/mystery-shopping-fake-checks-gift-cards
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20260508120451/https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/mystery-shopping-fake-checks-gift-cards
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S3
    title: "Looking for a postal job? Also look out for job scams"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/looking-postal-job-also-look-out-job-scams
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20260711234048/https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/looking-postal-job-also-look-out-job-scams
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Job scams: warning signs

# Job scams: warning signs

## Summary
Legitimate employers do not charge you to get a job. Walk away if a "job" asks you to pay for training or equipment, deposit a check and send money back, or pay with gift cards, crypto or wire transfer.

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] Federal Trade Commission, "Job Scams"; [S2] Federal Trade Commission, "Mystery shopping, (fake) checks, and gift cards"; [S3] Federal Trade Commission, "Looking for a postal job? Also look out for job scams".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: A request to pay up front for training, equipment, certification or a job guarantee is a sign of a scam.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: Being told to deposit a check and send part of the money elsewhere is a fake-check scam; you can end up owing the bank.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: Requests to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer are red flags.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: Government agencies, including the Postal Service, do not charge to apply for jobs.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Before accepting, search the company name with words like "scam" or "complaint".
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02

## Pointers
- id: P1
  answers: Report a job scam
  where: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
  access: free, public web page