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Fraud Prevention
Watchdog Alerts
Fake Jobs, Real Losses—With New Twists
Hello,
Job hunting is stressful enough without having to worry about criminals posing as legitimate employers. These scammers aim to steal personal information and money or to make their victims into unwitting accomplices in crime.
Business and job opportunity scams have surged since the pandemic. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reports nearly tripled, and losses soared from $90 million to $501 million between 2020 and 2024.
If you’re not job hunting, chances are someone you know is. Please share this information to help protect them against fake employer scams.
How It Works
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You spot a listing on a job board or social media or get a text message offering a work-from-home opportunity — like processing paperwork, stuffing envelopes or data entry.
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The job often promises remote work with high pay and requires little to no experience.
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You may be asked to pay up front for training and specialized equipment or receive a check to “cover” these expenses.
What You Should Know
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Criminals advertise jobs the same way real companies do, often impersonating well-known businesses or inventing fake ones. Their listing may include bogus testimonials and personal success stories to make the offer seem real.
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The goal of the scam could be straight up identity theft, or it could be to steal money or turn you into an unwitting money mule.
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In the money mule scenario, the criminals who “hire” targets ask them to set up a bank account to receive and transfer funds. Others hire work-from-home employees to receive, repackage and reship stolen merchandise, which can land you in trouble with law enforcement.
What You Should Do
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To ensure a job listing is legitimate, contact the company directly through its verified website or phone number.
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Research the employer by searching the company’s name alongside words like “scam”, “review” or “complaint” to see what other people are saying.
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Ask detailed questions before accepting any work-from-home offer. Clarify how and when you'll be paid and whether there are any up-front costs.
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Protect your personal information. Never share personal or financial details until you verify a job offer is legitimate.
Knowledge gives you power over scams. AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM equips you with reliable, up-to-date insights and connects you to our free fraud helpline so you can better protect yourself and loved ones. We also advocate at the state, federal and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.
From Arizona to Vermont, AARP state offices are fighting fraud on multiple fronts — from strengthening consumer protections on crypto ATMs to expanding fraud prevention programs.
When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. Please share this alert with friends and family and visit the Fraud Resource Center for more information.
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