Recognize and Avoid Scams During your Job Search
Searching for a new job can be exciting—but it’s also a time to stay alert. Scammers often target job seekers, posting fake ads or pretending to be real employers. These scams are designed to steal money, gather personal information, or trick people into working without pay.
According to Canada’s Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) in 2024, over 51,000 fraud cases were reported in Canada, with financial losses reaching $648 million. Many scams go unreported, especially those involving job seekers. The good news? By learning the warning signs, you can protect yourself.
What Job Scams can look like
Job scams can take many forms. Some show up as fake job ads on social media or job boards. Others begin with a message or email from someone pretending to work for a real company. These scams are often very convincing at first glance.
In some cases, scammers offer jobs that seem too good to be true—like high pay for very little work. They may ask you to reship packages, deposit cheques, or transfer money. These tasks might seem harmless but are often illegal, putting you at risk without you even realizing it.
Another common scam involves asking job seekers to pay upfront for training, equipment, or job placement services. If you’re being asked to send money before even getting an interview, it’s a clear warning sign. Legitimate employers don’t charge fees to apply or get hired.
How to Recognize a Job Scam
Here are some key indicators that a job may be a scam:
- They Ask for Personal Information Too Soon
Be careful if a job ad or recruiter asks for your Social Insurance Number (SIN), government ID, or banking details before you’ve been hired. Real employers will only ask for this after you’ve officially accepted a job. Scammers may use this information to steal your identity or access your accounts. - They Only Communicate through Chat Apps or Personal Email
If someone contacts you only through messaging apps like WhatsApp, or uses a free email address (like Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo), this could be a scam. Real employers usually use professional email addresses with the company’s name in them (for example: name@company.com). - The Recruiter Feels Unprofessional
Watch out for recruiters who use overly casual language, lots of emojis, or try to rush you into making a decision. Some may message you at odd hours to hide where they’re really located. Professional recruiters usually work in Human Resources and communicate clearly and respectfully. - The Company Has No Online Presence
Take a few minutes to research the company. Do they have a real website with the correct web address? Can you find them on LinkedIn or see who works there? Be cautious if there’s no physical address listed, the website looks fake, or employee profiles seem made-up or hidden. - They Ask You to Pay for Something
You should never have to pay to apply for a job or to be hired. If you’re asked to pay the business directly for training, equipment, or certifications before starting work, it’s likely a scam. - The Job Sounds Too Good to Be True
If a job offers high pay for very little work, it’s probably not real. Some scams (like pyramid schemes or Multi-Level Marketing) promise big money but focus more on recruiting others than actual work. To find out what a job usually pays, check websites like Glassdoor or WorkBC. - The Interview Process Is Unusual
Real employers usually interview candidates by phone or video (like Zoom or Teams) or in person. Be careful if you’re offered a job right away after a short text chat, or if you’re asked to show ID during a video call. These can be signs of a scam. - Emails Have a Lot of Mistakes
Everyone makes the occasional typo, but if the messages you get have poor grammar, strange wording, or misspell the company name, take that as a warning sign. - They Ask You to Cash a Cheque and Send Money Back
This is a common scam. The cheque will bounce, and you’ll be responsible for any money you sent or took out. - You Get a Job Offer You Didn’t Apply For
Be suspicious if you’re offered a job you never applied to. Recruiters do reach out sometimes, but they usually want to talk about if you are interested in a career—not offer you a position right away. - The Job Pays Only Commission with No Base Salary
Some sales jobs pay commission, but be careful if there’s no guaranteed pay. This means you won’t earn anything unless you make sales, even if you spend time training or working. - You Get a Letter in the Mail About a Job
If you receive a physical letter about a job or interview—especially if you didn’t share your address—it could be a scam. Most employers contact you by email or LinkedIn first. - Too Much Hype About Working from Home
Remote work is common, but be cautious if a job ad uses lots of exclamation points or promises fast money for very little work (like “EARN $$$ FROM HOME!!”). This kind of language is often used in scams.
Always trust your gut. If something feels off, take a step back and look into it.
How to Protect Yourself
Protecting yourself starts with doing a bit of research. Look up the company online, check their website URL carefully, and try to find reviews or mentions on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or the Better Business Bureau. If the job was posted on a job board, see if the same role is listed on the company’s official website. When in doubt, reach out directly using contact info found on the company’s site—not the information provided in a suspicious email or message.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you think a job offer might be a scam:
- Stop communicating with the person immediately.
- Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca).
- If you shared personal or financial information, contact your bank, update your passwords, and consider reporting to the police and credit bureaus.
- If you gave out your SIN, contact Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627.
Writing down everything you remember about the interaction can help if you need to file a report.
Job searching should feel hopeful, not risky. Learning how to recognize scams gives you the power to protect yourself and focus on real opportunities. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to walk away. Trust your instincts—they’re one of your best tools in a safe job search.
For support in your job search, contact your local WorkBC Centre.
https://carleton.ca/career/is-this-job-a-scam-is-it-too-good-to-be-true