Job scam warning signs: fees, fake checks, equipment purchases and ID theft

Job scams are common, and they often target people who are new to the U.S., searching in a second language, or worried about visa status. Scammers copy real company names, use real-looking job titles and move fast. The good news: most scams follow a handful of patterns.

First, a clear rule: JOBnaru™ never charges job seekers. Searching, saving, alerts and Ask JOBnaru™ are free. Employers pay only for optional top placement, and paid placements are always labeled. If someone asks you to pay "JOBnaru™" to apply, it is not us.

The main warning signs

1. You are asked to pay

• An "application fee", "registration fee", "training fee" or "background check fee" paid to the recruiter.
• A fee for a "guaranteed" job, a visa, H-1B lottery "placement" or OPT job.
• A starter kit or certification you must buy from them.

Real employers pay for their own hiring. Legitimate background checks are arranged by the employer after an offer, not paid by wire or gift card.

2. A check arrives before the job starts

The "employer" mails or e-sends a check, asks you to deposit it, keep part as pay, and send the rest by wire, Zelle, crypto or gift cards to a "vendor". Days later the check bounces and you owe the bank. The FTC explains this in detail on its fake check scams page.

3. You must buy equipment

"Buy a laptop and software from our approved supplier; we will reimburse you." The supplier is the scammer. Real employers ship equipment or reimburse through payroll.

4. Personal information too early

• Asking for your Social Security number, bank account, passport or driver's license copy before an interview or a written offer.
• "Direct deposit setup" before you have spoken with anyone.

Legitimate employers collect this after you accept an offer, through official HR onboarding — including Form I-9 to verify work authorization.

5. The process does not look real

• The whole interview happens by text or chat app (Telegram, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk) with no video or phone call.
• An offer comes within hours, without real questions about your experience.
• The email comes from a free account (gmail, naver, outlook) instead of the company domain.
• Pay is far above normal for little work ("$45/hour, no experience, reshipping packages from home").
• They pressure you: "Decide today", "keep this confidential".

6. Visa and immigration promises

"We guarantee an H-1B", "pay $5,000 and we will sponsor you", "work now on your visitor visa". No one can guarantee a visa, and visitor status generally does not allow work. Read H-1B basics for job seekers.

How to check a job yourself

1. Find the job on the company's own career site. Most jobs JOBnaru™ collects come directly from companies' public career sites, and the company page links there. If a recruiter contacts you about a job you cannot find on the company's site, be careful.
2. Check the email domain and call the company using a phone number from its official website, not the one in the message.
3. Search the company name with "scam" or "review".
4. Never move money for an employer.
5. Take your time. Real offers can wait a day while you check.

If you think you were scammed

• Stop contact and do not send more money or information.
• Call your bank or card company right away and ask to stop or reverse payments.
• Report it:
• to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov;
• to the FBI's IC3 if it happened online;
• to your state attorney general's consumer office;
• and to JOBnaru™ through our contact page — include the job link.
• If your SSN was shared, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.

What JOBnaru™ does

• An employer's first job post is reviewed by a person before it goes live.
• We remove jobs that ask job seekers for money, ask for sensitive data up front, or misrepresent the employer.
• Jobs collected from company career sites link back to the original posting so you can verify it.
• We do not take applications: the Apply button sends you to the employer's own page or email.

No review process catches everything. If something feels off, report it — it helps other people too. For more, read how to find jobs on JOBnaru™ and our help page.

Last checked: October 19, 2026.

Cite this article as: JOBnaru™ — https://jobnaru.com/news/job-scam-warning-signs