- The Rise of Remote Work
- Employees Want Flexibility
- Five Common Remote Work Scams
- Tips for Spotting Job Scams
- Safeguarding Yourself Against Job Scams
- Identifying Genuine Job Postings
- How Advia Can Help
Imagine this: you're browsing an online job board and stumble upon a fully remote position that seems perfect—flexible hours, great pay, and maybe even minimal effort required. Or perhaps you receive an unsolicited email with hiring information for a remote job you didn’t apply for, asking you to fill out a brief online form and provide personal details to get started. The opportunity appears legitimate, but something about it feels off.
The Rise of Remote Work
In both above cases, there’s a nagging sense that something isn’t right. These opportunities might seem too good to be true because they could be work-from-home scams, which have surged since COVID-19 reshaped work culture in 2020.
“Since COVID, the way employees work has changed for good,” says Josh B., Advia’s Fraud Specialist. “With many jobs now being fully remote or hybrid, these setups have become more popular. While there are many genuine remote jobs, employment-related scams have also increased. It’s important to be cautious to avoid falling victim.”
As reported by the Better Business Bureau’s 2023 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, working from home scams were the most common for adults aged 18-44. For all age groups, these scams were the second riskiest, with a high median loss of $1,995. Reports of these scams increased by 54.2% from 2022 to 2023, the report noted.
Employees Want Flexibility
Despite the potential for scams, employees continue to seek more flexible work arrangements. As of May 2024, Gallup – a worldwide research and consulting company that studies public opinions and behavior – reported that:
- 80% of working adults with remote capable jobs prefer fully remote or hybrid work arrangements
- 53% of these employees prefer a hybrid structure
- 27% prefer exclusively remote positions
- 21% of people prefer fully on-site roles
These statistics show a strong trend toward flexibility in the workplace.
“There’s nothing wrong with preferring to work remotely or in a hybrid structure—it offers many benefits, like better work-life balance for a lot of people,” says Josh. “However, scammers know how desirable these benefits are and use them to manipulate and deceive people. That’s why it’s so important to stay alert and be extra careful when looking for these types of opportunities.”
Five Common Remote Work Scams
Since work from home scams often use appealing offers and fake promises to lure people into their schemes, understanding how they operate can help you avoid falling victim. Here are some common examples to be aware of:
- Fake Job Listings: Scammers create fake job postings that appear legitimate with professional descriptions and sometimes even reputable company names. Their goal is to collect personal information or charge fees for non-existent training materials. The Better Business Bureau reports that over half of job seekers who encounter scams related to working from home fall victim to these.
- Phishing Emails: Be cautious of unsolicited emails offering remote jobs, Josh says. These may contain links or attachments that lead to phishing sites or malware designed to steal your personal data.
- Pyramid Schemes: Some scams pose legitimate work opportunities, but they are actually pyramid schemes. These promise easy money and flexibility, often advertising perks like being your own boss. For instance, you might be told you can earn money by selling products, but the real focus is on recruiting others to join and pay fees. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, social media has made these schemes more enticing, but they ultimately exploit participants financially through upfront costs and a recruitment-driven model, with most people losing money. They are destined to collapse.
- Fake Online Surveys: While some companies do pay for survey responses, fake online surveys are a common scam designed to exploit job seekers. These scams often lure you in with promises of high earnings for minimal effort. For instance, you might come across an ad claiming you can make hundreds of dollars a week by completing surveys. To get started, they may ask you to pay a fee for access to a list of survey opportunities or to unlock “premium” surveys.
- Reshipping Scams: Reshipping scams trick you into thinking you’ve found a legit remote job where you receive and send out packages. You might be told that your role involves handling inventory from home, but the packages often contain stolen goods. You’ll be asked to ship these items to other addresses, but this illegal activity can get you in trouble with the law. Besides the risk of criminal charges, you might also lose money if the scammers don’t pay you and if you have to cover shipping costs yourself.
Tips for Spotting Job Scams
To protect yourself from job scams, there are several warning signs to look out for, says Josh.
For example, legitimate employers won’t ask for money for training, materials, or for background checks. Be cautious if the communication is unprofessional, such as poor grammar, vague job descriptions, or unofficial email addresses. Offers of unusually high pay for minimal work should raise red flags and you should be wary of any job that pressures you to act quickly, as scammers often create a sense of urgency to prevent careful evaluation of the offer.
“When something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” - Josh B.
Safeguarding Yourself Against Job Scams
Doing your own research is necessary when evaluating a job opportunity. It helps you uncover potential scams and safeguard yourself from fraud. Here are a few things Josh recommends:
- Do Your Research: Investigate the company online, read reviews, and check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau’s valuable Search Business Tool. It allows you to look up detailed information about a company, including its rating, customer reviews, and any complaints filed against it. This helps you assess the company's reputation and reliability before engaging with them.
- Verify the Job Posting: If a job posting seems suspicious, verify it through the company’s official website. If it’s not listed on the company’s website and not verified, it’s likely a scam. You can also check the company’s profile on LinkedIn to see if the job posting matches their current hiring needs and to ensure the company has a credible online presence.
- Protect Your Personal Information: Never share personal details like your Social Security number or bank account information unless you are certain of the employer’s legitimacy. Typically, legitimate jobs will only request such sensitive information after a formal offer has been made.
- Report Suspected Fraud: If you have gone through the steps and still feel a job may be a scam, you can report these to the Federal Trade Commission and your financial institution. (Advia members can contact us anytime –24 hours a day, 7 days a week). If you’re concerned that you may have already fallen victim, it’s important to report immediately to protect your information and attempt to recover any lost money, though success isn’t always guaranteed.
Identifying Genuine Job Postings
Even though there are a lot of job-related scams out there, many genuine job opportunities exist. Signs that a job is likely to be legitimate include:
- The job posting is verified by the Better Business Bureau, which offers detailed information about the company's reputation. You can also check the company’s official website for the posting instead of relying solely on third-party sites or emails. If the job isn’t listed on their website, contact the company directly to confirm its legitimacy. While many companies use sites like Indeed or Glassdoor, verifying with the company ensures the position is real.
- The company provides clear contact information and communicates professionally.
- The job description is detailed and aligns with industry standards, with no requests for upfront payments.
- There is a structured hiring process—most legitimate jobs involve a series of steps, and it’s rare to receive an offer immediately without one or more interviews and possibly some kind of assessment.
Always do your research and protect your personal information to ensure you’re dealing with a credible employer.
How Advia Can Help
At Advia, we're dedicated to helping our members avoid falling victim to fraud. We prioritize your financial security and are here to support you in recognizing and avoiding common scams. For additional tips and resources on fraud prevention, be sure to explore our Financial Blog page on our website.
And as always, feel free to reach out to us anytime with concerns or questions.