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Protecting Yourself from Employment Scams

Unfortunately, scammers frequently target seniors looking for part-time or remote work. They use deceptive tactics to steal your personal information or your money. You must remain vigilant when applying for jobs online.

As noted by experts at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), older adults must be wary of scams that promise unreasonably high pay for very little work. If a job offer sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Watch out for these massive red flags:

• Upfront Fees: A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay money to get a job. If they ask you to pay for a background check, training materials, or software before you start, stop communicating with them immediately.
• The Fake Check Scam: Scammers will mail you a check to buy “home office equipment” and tell you to wire the leftover funds to their “supplier.” The check will eventually bounce, and your bank will hold you responsible for the wired money.
• Unprofessional Communication: Be skeptical of recruiters who use personal email addresses (like Gmail or Yahoo) instead of corporate domains. Poor spelling, aggressive demands for your Social Security number upfront, or conducting interviews entirely via text message are all warning signs.
• Vague Job Descriptions: If you cannot figure out exactly what the company does or what your daily tasks will be, proceed with extreme caution.

Always research the company independently. Open a new web browser, search for the company’s name alongside the word “scam” or “reviews,” and see what other people have experienced. Trust your instincts. If a hiring process feels rushed or secretive, walk away.