Scammers are taking outdated ads from real employers, changing them, and posting them on employment websites and platforms such as Indeed or LinkedIn. These ads seem to be real job offers from legitimate companies with accurate and expected information. While they may seem legitimate, their goal is to trick you into sharing personal information.

Oftentimes hijacked job postings are offers to work from home as a personal assistant or customer service representative. The scammers will ask for information like your Social Security and your bank account number claiming that they can deposit your salary. They may also say that you got the job and send you a check to buy equipment that you must cash (and send money to them).

Here are more ways to spot and avoid phony job postings:

• Verify job openings before you apply. Visit the official website for the organization or company you’re applying for. Most include a “career opportunities” or “jobs” section.
• See what others are saying. Look up the name of the company along with words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” The results may include the experiences of others who’ve lost money.
• Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know. An honest employer will never send you a check and then tell you to send them part of the money. 

See a suspicious posting? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.