20 Work From Home Job Scams and How to Spot Them

Work-from-home jobs with legitimate companies are available in nearly every field. However, as legitimate remote jobs grow, an increasing number of scammers are waiting to pounce. From promises of easy money to enticing job offers that turn out to be money laundering schemes, scammers are getting more advanced and crafty.

We’re here to help you familiarize yourself with common work-from-home job scams, red flags to watch for, and strategies to ensure a safe job search so you can confidently find work-from-home jobs.

20 Common Work-From-Home Job Scams

Advanced technology is blending modern job scams with some that have been around for a while. Take a look at this list so you can recognize job scams if they pop up in your search for real work-from-home jobs.

1. AI-Created Job Scams

With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), job scams have taken on a new form. Scammers use AI technology to create deceptive job postings, fake recruiters, and false company websites. AI scams often use unofficial email domains, poor grammar, and reference jobs that don’t appear on a company’s official career page.

2. Assembly Job Scams

Assembly job scams involve receiving a package with materials, instructions, and promises of payment for assembling products. However, these packages (if they arrive at all) are filled with cheap or defective items, and the promised payment never arrives.

3. Career Advancement Grant Scams

Scammers often prey on job seekers looking to boost their professional qualifications through job training programs. You may be offered a fake “grant” disguised as a government program. But once you apply, you’re asked to pay a “filing fee” or provide sensitive personal information.

4. Copycat Job Boards

Some scammers clone legitimate job boards to harvest your personal information. They make subtle changes to URLs (like “remote.c0” instead of “remote.co”) or request sensitive personal information, such as your social security number (SSN), to view job listings. While some legitimate job boards are subscription-based with secure payment platforms, they’ll never request your SSN to view job postings.

5. Cryptocurrency Scams

With the rise of digital currency, job scams promising lucrative returns on cryptocurrency have cropped up. These scams involve roles where you’re asked to buy, trade, or transfer cryptocurrency. They often promise high returns but are just a cover for requesting money or using your account for fraud.

6. Data Entry Scams

Data entry scams advertise high pay for easy work but require you to purchase specialized software or pay “training fees” upfront. Legitimate remote data entry jobs do exist, but they don’t advertise unrealistically high wages or demand any upfront financial investment from applicants.

7. Envelope Stuffing Scams

Envelope stuffing is an old scam that resurfaces occasionally. This dated but persistent scam promises you’ll earn money by stuffing envelopes. You may be asked to pay for a kit or materials to get started, but after sending the money, the work never arrives, and you’ve lost your initial “investment.”

8. Equipment Purchase Scams

Scammers may offer you a work-from-home job but require you to buy “essential” equipment or software before you can start. These purchases are unnecessary and never reimbursed. Legitimate companies will provide necessary work equipment or cover costs through stipends or other formal processes.

9. Fake Government Job Offers

Government job scams involve fake listings for government roles that require an upfront fee to apply or access more information. In reality, legitimate government agencies never charge application fees and always post positions on official .gov websites. Be wary of job boards or emails pushing “exclusive” access to public sector opportunities.

10. Google Doc Scams

You might not think of Google Docs as particularly dangerous, but scammers can send links or attachments via Google Docs that contain harmful viruses or redirect you to phishing sites. If you receive a document from an unfamiliar sender, verify their email address and never click on suspicious links or download attachments.

11. Indeed Scams

Indeed is a well-known, global job board, but scammers still create fake postings or pose as employers to lure candidates. You may receive messages requesting your SSN, banking details, or other sensitive information. Always check the job listing against the company’s official site and avoid sharing personal info outside of secure portals.

12. Job Coaching Schemes

Fake career coaches or resume “experts” may reach out with promises of job placement, often charging hefty upfront fees. After receiving payment, they may offer generic advice or disappear entirely. Authentic coaching professionals are transparent about their pricing and services and never guarantee you’ll land a job.

13. LinkedIn Job Scams

Scammers create fake LinkedIn profiles and pose as hiring managers or recruiters. They often message job seekers with unsolicited or unrealistic job offers and quickly ask for sensitive information or request money. Always research the person contacting you and verify their connection to the company before responding.

14. Mystery Shopper Scams

You might be offered a mystery shopping gig that sounds easy and fun—until you’re asked to pay upfront for materials, training, or product purchases. Legitimate mystery shopping jobs exist and can be a great side hustle, but they’ll never require fees or investments before starting the job.

15. Online Interviews You Never Applied For

Interview scams start with an unexpected invite for a virtual interview, claiming to have found your resume or profile online. Once you’re engaged, the “interviewer” may ask you to fill out forms or send payment for training. If you didn’t apply, verify the job and company independently before continuing the conversation.

16. Phishing Scams

Phishing scams use fake job listings or emails to trick you into “verifying” personal information. These scams may look official but are designed to steal your identity or financial information. Avoid clicking unfamiliar links, and never provide sensitive data unless you’ve confirmed the legitimacy of the employer.

17. Pyramid Schemes Disguised as Jobs

Pyramid schemes are presented as business opportunities or jobs, but your pay depends on recruiting others rather than doing actual work. They’re masked with vague job descriptions, require initial investments, promise unrealistic returns, and are sometimes illegal. Money changes hands, but ultimately, there’s no actual product to invest in.

18. Reshipping Scams

What’s worse than being a victim of a scam? Unknowingly becoming a criminal along the way. In a reshipping scam, you’re asked to inspect, repackage, or resend goods as part of your job. The twist is that the items are often bought with stolen credit cards, making you an accomplice in a criminal scheme.

19. Social Media Recruitment Scams

Be cautious when responding to job offers on social media. Scammers create fake profiles and job postings, often via direct messages or groups with urgent calls to apply. While initial contact on social media isn’t always a red flag, a conversation that never moves to more official communication channels should raise concerns.

20. Wire Transfer Scams

Wire transfer scams are fake job offers that require you to send or transfer money or buy gift cards as part of your “training.” Sometimes framed as an equipment deposit or client payment, these requests are almost always linked to fraud or money laundering. Real employers won’t ask you to handle personal or company funds before you’re hired.

8 Red Flags to Look For in Your Work-From-Home Job Search

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you realize how prevalent online job scams are. The list above is only a sample of the many work-from-home scams out there. That’s why staying alert and learning to spot red flags early is essential.

1. Unsolicited Job Offers

Getting contacted by recruiters who want to connect and ask if you’d be interested in submitting your application is exciting. It means your personal branding and networking efforts are paying off. On the other hand, if you receive an email or message offering you a job you didn’t apply for, it could be a recruiter scam. Legitimate companies follow a formal application process and rarely offer jobs on the spot.

2. Vague Job Descriptions

Beware job descriptions that leave you wondering what exactly you’d be doing. Even if there’s some gray area, real employers hire to fill a specific need and provide clear job descriptions and expectations. Job postings that lack solid information are likely employment scams and should be avoided.

3. Unusually High Pay for Entry-Level Jobs

When a job offers a salary well above market value, that should signal to you to do more research. While there are high-paying entry-level jobs, the pay should be within a standard range for the role. If the job posting offers an extremely high salary compared to similar roles, it’s likely fake. Take the time to research and verify.

4. No Interview Process

Job offers without any interview process signal job scams. Legitimate companies want to get to know potential employees through interviews or screening before making a job offer. Reputable companies want to protect their culture and reputations, and there are generally multiple candidates and a standardized hiring process. Not to mention, the interview is a chance for you to interview the company as well.

5. Excessive Spelling and Grammar Errors

A misplaced comma isn’t cause for concern unless you’re an editor applying for a job at a publishing company. However, multiple typos and poor grammar should cause you to proceed cautiously. Any language that seems off or auto-generated is a red flag. Scammers don’t always put much effort into their job postings, but legitimate companies work hard to ensure they’re attracting high-quality talent.

6. Only Communicating via Social Media or Chat

Following companies and connecting with hiring managers on social media is a great way to be proactive in your job search, so your initial contact might be via one of those channels. After your initial conversation, however, legitimate companies will conduct interviews and hiring through traditional channels, such as phone, email, or video. Be wary of “employers” who refuse to move the conversation away from messaging social media.

7. Unofficial Email Addresses

It’s a good idea to get in the habit of verifying a sender’s email address anytime you’re communicating online. That’s even more true when trying to avoid job offer scams. If you receive an email from a potential employer that doesn’t use their official company email address, don’t click on any links and mark them as spam.

8. Your Salary Is Based on Who You Recruit

Another red flag for job scams is when a job offer signals that your compensation is based on how many other people you recruit. Sure, recruiters are tasked with staffing the company, but that’s different than a job requiring you to bring in others who will report to you. This type of compensation is a pyramid or multilevel marketing (MLM) scheme. Real companies will compensate you based on skills and performance.

5 Ways to Avoid Work-From-Home Job Scams and Stay Safe

Spotting red flags is only half the battle. Knowing how to protect yourself is just as important. Implementing key strategies to keep your job search secure can help you stay safe while searching for legitimate work-from-home jobs.

1. Verify the Company’s Identity

Before applying for any remote job, research the company to ensure it’s a legitimate business. Check the company’s website, online presence, and reviews from past employees. If you can’t find information about the company or something feels off, proceed cautiously. Search for the company yourself instead of clicking on links in the job description that might lead to fake sites.

2. Never Give Out Personal Information

Be vigilant with your personal information. Reputable employers will only ask for personal information (such as your SSN, bank account number, or copies of your ID) after you’re hired. A fake employer asking for this information during the hiring process is one of the many job offer scams you might run into during your job search.

3. Never Pay for a Job or Training

Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay for job offers, training materials, or background checks. While certain roles may require a license (like a food handler’s permit or real estate certification), those fees should be verifiable through third-party agencies, not the company itself. If you’re asked to pay for anything upfront, especially company-specific training or materials, it’s likely a scam.

4. Never Agree to a Wire Transfer

Thieves are always looking for quick ways to launder money and move it quickly from one account to another. Wire transfers are commonly used to move money quickly, and scammers will often request this as the payment method for fake job opportunities. If you’re asked to wire transfer funds, it’s a significant red flag.

5. Guard Your Financial Information

Employment scams often involve scammers looking for your financial information, such as bank account numbers or credit card details. Requests for direct deposit information should only be made after a job offer has been accepted and you’re in the onboarding portion of your new job.

Find Real Work-From-Home Jobs

Safeguarding yourself against work-from-home job scams requires skepticism and a keen eye for red flags. Remember to thoroughly research prospective employers and scrutinize job offers for legitimacy.

That said, don’t let the fear of scams keep you from making money online. Take control of your job search with Remote.co. Our team is dedicated to screening job postings, and we post new jobs every day in over 50 career categories, so there’s something for everyone. Start a safer remote job search today!