Fake Job Scams
Learn how to recognize and avoid common online scams designed to steal money or your identity.
On this page:
Warning Signs
- A job offer from an unexpected source
- The email address is not from the company or is misspelled
- The company name is unknown
- The job requires you to handle money
- You are asked to place orders
- Someone asks you to print checks and overnight the checks
- You are depositing checks
- You are asked to reship items
- You are transferring money to other accounts
- You are asked to purchase gift cards
- You are asked to convert cash into bitcoin
- You are using your bank account or opening up new accounts
- It seems too good to be true. A good question to ask yourself is: Why would someone pay me this much to do something they could do themselves?
What Can You Do?
- Verify the offer by contacting the company directly
- Look up the company on the Internet, do not use the number in the email
- Look for a Human Resources contact and call them to ask if this is a legitimate employment offer*
* You may be able to turn this into a positive. Tell them that you researched the company and are interested in working for them. Ask the HR person how you can apply for a position.
If You Think You’re a Victim
If you think you fell for a scam, protect yourself by stopping any further communication.
- Change any passwords on accounts that were involved in the scam
- Contact any financial institutions involved
- Make a report to your local law enforcement. If you are a member of the University at Buffalo, please contact University Police
- File a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
The criminal may threaten you or use your identity for another scam.
Additional Resources for Information
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0243-job-scams