Scammers often use remote job ads to trick people. They send fake job offers or ask for personal info. You might think, “This could be real.” But many of those invitations are actually employment scams. Knowing how these scams work protects your money and your identity.
These scams popped up after remote work became more common during COVID, and have continued to increase as more of us picked up gigs and side-hustles. Scammers promise easy money. They offer “jobs” where you might only need to type, click, or reship packages. Then they ask you to pay for training, equipment, or supplies. Sometimes they send a fake check and tell you to return some of the money. This is an employment scam. They prey on hope: hope for work, for quick cash, for a fresh start.
An employment scam isn’t about stealing a few hours of your labor during an “internship” or claiming authorship of your writing or artwork portfolio. Scammers have a lot more in mind.
Understanding what they want makes it easier to spot the trap before it closes.
You’re told you need to pay for training materials or buy special equipment before you can start work. The scammer promises you’ll be reimbursed, but that never happens. Real employers provide these items or clearly deduct costs after you’re officially hired.
Scammers send a check that looks real, claiming it’s an advance on your first project to cover these extra expenses. They tell you to deposit it and send part of the money to their vendor. When the check bounces, the bank takes the funds from your account, leaving you with the loss.
These scams offer payment for receiving packages and sending them to another address, often overseas. The goods are usually bought with stolen cards, and your name is linked to the shipping records. This can lead to legal trouble and financial loss.
You’re offered simple online tasks like clicking ads or reviewing products, with payment promised in cryptocurrency. The scam starts with a “small deposit” you must send to unlock the work. Once they have your money, they vanish without paying you.
You get an email or message that looks like it’s from a big company. It has a matching logo and fancy words. They ask for your personal details, then request your bank account information “to set up direct deposit.” Once they have that access, they can take your money instead of paying you. Real recruiters don’t ask for money or unrestricted access to your accounts.
You might wonder: is this job legit? Ask these questions.
Call the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and file a report with IC3.gov. If you shared your bank account or sent payment, talk to your bank. They may help stop the money or monitor your account for fraud. 1st Source clients can report suspected fraud here.
If your identity might be stolen, consider placing a free fraud alert or freeze on your credit. This slows down scammers. It helps protect you while you fix the damage.
| Watch For | What to Do |
| Asked to pay upfront | Say no and walk away |
| A check arrives before any work began | Don’t deposit it |
| Job involves receiving and reshipping packages | It’s a scam |
| They demand info like SSN before offer | Stop and verify |
| Any urgent pressure to act fast | Pause and check the offer thoroughly |
Employment scams use tricks and your trust. Scammers count on your hope for a job. Don’t let that job offer cost you more than you earn. Trust what seems too good. Do your homework. And play it safe—especially with anything that asks for money upfront or personal details.
Be aware of new spoofing scam which involves scammers imitating legitimate phone numbers that are readily available online. 1st Source Bank will never ask you for your username, password, or 6-digit verification code. We advise you not to give this information to anyone even if it appears to be a legitimate request from a known phone number.
Please call us or stop by your neighborhood banking center with any questions.
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