How to Tell if a Job is a Scam

April 06, 2026

It is unfortunate that people try to take advantage of others. But they do, and job searching is no exception.

When you look for a job, make sure it is legitimate.

• Research the company online and visit their website. Does it look professional? Does it contain contact information?
• Does the salary sound too good to be true? If so, then there is a good chance it is.
• Does the company want money? If they are legitimate, they won’t ask for money. Don’t give them important documents with private information or anything with your social security number on it unless you are confident that the business is legitimate.
• Carefully research any work-at-home jobs.
• Be careful of emails from job recruiters that found your contact information online. Posting résumés on job boards can be a productive way to find a job, but it can also lead to unsolicited scam emails.
• Are there grammatical or spelling errors in the job posting? Legitimate companies will post cleanly written job announcements.

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This article is from the Oregon Careers magazine. Oregon Careers publications are aimed at the career planning needs of students. They contain information about how to select and prepare for a career. 

Oregon Careers 2026 is currently available in English and Spanish. Order print magazines for your classroom today.

An activity guide for using Oregon Careers 2026 in the classroom is also in the Careers box at www.QualityInfo.org/pubs.

Topics covered in Oregon Careers 2026 include career planning and preparation, education beyond high school, and job search and resume creation. It also includes a career guide and additional resources.