A job offer scam can look professional: a familiar company name, a convincing interview and a formal-looking onboarding form. Verification is part of a sensible job search, especially when an unexpected offer creates pressure to act quickly.
No checklist proves that every opportunity is genuine. Independent checks can reveal contradictions before you share money or sensitive information.
Recognise common warning signs
The US Federal Trade Commission warns about demands to pay for a job and fake-cheque schemes. A supposed employer may ask an applicant to deposit a cheque and send money onward for equipment or another reason. Apparent availability of funds does not establish that a cheque is genuine.
False onboarding processes can also seek personal information. A recognised company name or several interview messages should not replace independent verification.
Check through a separate channel
Locate the employer’s official website yourself rather than relying entirely on a message link. Look for the role, reference number and recruitment contact. Use independently found company contact details to confirm an unexpected approach.
Compare the legal employer name across the advert, correspondence and offer. If a position is absent from the careers page, ask why. A reasonable explanation can be checked; pressure or refusal is a reason to pause.
Protect your documents and accounts
- Share only information relevant to the current recruitment stage.
- Confirm the recipient and purpose before sharing identity documents.
- Never disclose account passwords, banking access or one-time codes.
- Do not install unfamiliar software simply because a recruiter requests it.
- Keep copies of the advert and correspondence.
Keep a verification log
Record where the advert appeared, the recruiter’s details and the company contact used for confirmation. Note what has been verified and what remains uncertain. “The company exists” and “the company confirms this recruiter and vacancy” are different findings. The first does not establish the second.
If you already sent money or information
Stop further payments and contact your bank or payment provider promptly through its official channel. Preserve messages and transaction details. Use the appropriate official fraud-reporting process in your country. US reports can be submitted through the FTC’s reporting service.
If a password was shared, change it through the genuine service and review account security. Be cautious about anyone demanding another payment to recover the first loss.
Frequently asked questions
Does a video interview prove the offer is genuine?
No. Verify the recruitment contact and employer independently.
Should I send money from an employer’s cheque to a supplier?
Pause and consult your bank. The FTC identifies onward-payment requests as a common fake-cheque pattern.
Official source
Read the FTC job-scam guidance and explore our job-search resources.
Source review: 3 November 2026. Independent career information.