Pause before sharing sensitive information
Legitimate hiring processes may eventually require identity and tax information, but ordinary first contact should not require you to send banking credentials, passwords or full identity documents to an unverified person. Confirm the company domain and application destination first.
Common warning signs
Upfront payments
Be cautious when a supposed employer asks you to pay for a job, equipment, training or a background check through an unusual payment method.
Unexpected checks or transfers
Do not deposit a check and then send part of the money elsewhere. Fake-check job scams can leave the recipient responsible for the loss.
Pressure and secrecy
High-pressure requests to act immediately, move conversations to encrypted apps, or avoid official company channels deserve extra verification.
Verify independently
Find the employer’s official website yourself, compare the role with the company’s careers page, verify the recruiter’s email domain, and search for the organization through independent sources. The Federal Trade Commission publishes current guidance about job scams.