How to spot a remote job scam

Remote jobs attract scammers because they can contact thousands of people online. A few simple habits can keep you safe.

Red flags

• You are asked to pay. Real employers don't charge for training, equipment, "registration" or a background check.
• The pay is too good for easy work. Very high pay for simple tasks is a warning sign.
• You are hired without any interview, or the whole process happens in a chat app.
• They send you a cheque or money and ask you to send part of it to someone else.
• They ask for bank login details, card PINs or one-time codes. No employer needs these.
• They pressure you to act fast or keep it secret.
• The email doesn't match the company, such as a free email address for a large business.

Simple checks before you reply

• Search the company name with the word "scam" or "reviews".
• Find the company's own website and see whether the job is listed there.
• Check that the email address ends with the company's real website name.
• Ask for a video call with a real person.
• Look up the recruiter on LinkedIn and see whether their profile looks real and active.

A note on freelance clients

Scams also go the other way: a client takes your work and never pays. For new clients, agree on the price in writing and ask for part of the payment up front, especially for larger jobs.

If you think it's a scam

Stop replying and don't send money or documents. Report the post to the job platform. If you already lost money, report it to the police or the fraud authority in your country.

My resources page links to well-known job boards, but always check each job yourself.