How to Spot Remote Job Scams

Common Red Flags

• Upfront payments for equipment, training, or “application processing”.
• Instant offers without interviews or technical assessment.
• Requests for personal data (ID, bank info) before a written offer via company domain.
• Non-corporate emails (free webmail) or mismatched domains.
• Vague role descriptions, unrealistic pay, pushy timelines.

Verification Steps (5 Minutes)

1. Cross-check the domain on the company site’s Careers page.
2. Validate the recruiter on LinkedIn (tenure, mutuals, posting history).
3. Ask for a written JD, interview steps, and the hiring manager’s name.
4. Search “{{Company}} + scam” and review Glassdoor/communities.
5. Request a company-domain calendar invite and NDA (if applicable).

Safe Equipment & Payment Practices

• Equipment is shipped or reimbursed after you’re onboarded with paperwork.
• Never share seed phrases or private keys; refuse crypto “test transactions”.
• Use an official vendor portal for reimbursements—no peer-to-peer payments.

Email Template: Polite Verification

Hi {{Recruiter Name}},

Thanks for reaching out about the {{Role}} role. 
Before we proceed, could you confirm the hiring manager’s name and send the JD and interview steps from your {{company.com}} email address? 
I’m excited to learn more.

Best, 
{{Your Name}}
                    

What to Do If You’re Targeted

• Stop communication; document messages and email headers.
• Report to the platform (LinkedIn/board) and your local cybercrime channel.
• If you shared sensitive info, immediately contact your bank and freeze credit where available.

FAQ

Are gift card purchases ever legitimate? No—this is a classic scam signal.

Is rev-share only with no base okay? It can be legitimate for startups/contract gigs, but verify domain, founders, and funding.