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How to Spot Fake Job Posts Before You Apply
At HireMyMom, every single listing is carefully qualified and verified before it goes live. That means you’ll only find legitimate remote jobs on our platform: no scams, no fake posts, and no too-good-to-be-true offers. But because many moms also browse other sites, Facebook groups, and social media to find remote work, we want to give you the tools to stay safe everywhere you look.
Unfortunately, fake job postings have become increasingly convincing. Scammers are getting better at sounding professional, using real company names, and even conducting fake interviews. Understanding the signs of a scam is essential to protecting your time, energy, and personal information.
Why Fake Job Posts Exist
Fake job posts are designed to take advantage of job seekers’ trust and hopes. Scammers may try to steal your personal data, trick you into sending money, or use your information for identity theft. Others simply want your email or phone number so they can sell your data or bombard you with spam.
Because remote work is in high demand, these scams often target people who value flexibility, including moms looking for work-from-home opportunities. The good news? Once you know what to look for, fake listings become much easier to spot.
Tips for Spotting Fake Job Posts
1. Research the company beyond the post
If a company sounds unfamiliar, take a few minutes to verify their online presence. A legitimate business should have an active website, a social media page, and some form of contact information. Be cautious if you can’t find anything beyond the job posting itself, or if the company’s website was created very recently and lacks real employee information.
2. Watch for “too good to be true” pay or perks
When a listing promises extremely high pay for minimal work, it’s usually a scam. For example, a remote admin role offering $80,000 a year for 10 hours a week, or data entry jobs paying $50/hour, should raise a red flag. Real employers pay fairly, but they also align pay with job responsibilities and experience.
3. Be skeptical of unsolicited offers
If you receive a job offer by email, text, or messaging app for a role you never applied for, it’s almost always fake. Scammers often claim they found your résumé on a job site or that you were “pre-selected” for a remote opportunity. They may ask you to interview via text or download an unfamiliar app, both of which are major warning signs.
4. Check the communication style
Legitimate employers usually communicate through professional channels and email addresses tied to their company domain. Be cautious of messages coming from personal email addresses. Watch for grammatical errors, inconsistent job details, or overly casual messages like “Hey, are you available for work?”
5. Don’t share personal information too early
A legitimate hiring process will never ask for your Social Security number, banking details, or home address right away. Those details only come after a formal job offer and onboarding through secure systems. If an employer asks for sensitive data early in the process, stop communicating immediately.
6. Avoid sending money
No real job should ever require you to pay upfront for training, background checks, or equipment. If someone asks you to pay for a starter kit, software license, or “refundable” fee, it’s a scam.
Examples of Fake Job Posts and Red Flags
These examples are based on real types of scams that have been reported by job seekers.
Example 1: The “Well-Paying Remote Admin”
The Post:
We’re hiring a Remote Administrative Assistant to handle scheduling, data entry, and customer communication. Work from home, flexible schedule, $1,500 per week. No experience required!
Why It’s Fake:
The job looks professional and even uses a real company name, but when you research it, the “company website” is brand new, has no contact info, and lists no team members. The pay is far higher than the norm for entry-level work. Once you apply, they respond immediately with a request for your home address and banking details for “direct deposit.”
What to Do Instead:
Always research the company before applying. Look for genuine LinkedIn pages, employee profiles, and a consistent online presence. If the pay or job description feels unrealistic, trust your gut and move on.
Example 2: The “Text Message Job Offer”
The Scenario:
You receive a text that says, “Hi, this is Amanda from [Company Name]. We saw your résumé online and think you’d be a great fit for our remote assistant role. Can we schedule an interview over text?”
Why It’s Fake:
Legitimate companies almost never conduct interviews via text message. Scammers often use this tactic to seem casual and friendly before asking for private information. They may even attach fake offer letters or onboarding forms that request your Social Security number.
What to Do Instead:
Never engage with job offers that come out of the blue. If you’re unsure, contact the company directly through its verified website to confirm whether the message is real.
Example 3: The “Rebranded Company”
The Post:
Digital Marketing Specialist needed! Remote, part-time, $60/hour. Work directly with our growing startup, InnovateEdge Digital. Apply today!
Why It’s Fake:
The company name sounds legitimate, but a quick Google search reveals no website, no reviews, and no LinkedIn presence. When you dig deeper, you discover that the same job description appears under multiple company names across different job boards.
What to Do Instead:
Be wary of listings that reappear frequently under different company names or with identical wording. Scammers often copy and repost jobs to appear legitimate.
Example 4: The “Instant Hire” Email
The Email:
Congratulations! You’ve been selected for our Customer Service Representative position. Please reply with your ID and bank information to begin onboarding.
Why It’s Fake:
You never applied for the job in the first place, and the sender’s email is a generic Gmail address. Scammers often send mass “congratulations” emails hoping someone will respond in excitement before realizing it’s a scam.
What to Do Instead:
Ignore these messages and never click on attachments or links. Report the sender as spam and, if possible, block their email.
Example 5: The “Unfamiliar Interview Platform”
The Post:
We’d like to move you to the next round! Please download our preferred chat platform (WorkConnect Pro) to complete your interview.
Why It’s Fake:
Scammers often use fake apps or platforms to collect personal data or infect devices with malware. Real companies use common tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, not unknown apps.
What to Do Instead:
Only interview on widely used platforms. If a recruiter asks you to download unfamiliar software, research it first or politely decline.
What to Do If You Encounter a Fake Job Post
If you suspect a job post is fake, stop communication immediately. Don’t share any personal or financial information. Report the listing to the website or platform where it appeared, and block the sender’s contact information.
If you’ve already shared sensitive details, contact your bank or credit monitoring service, and consider reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Stay Safe and Confident in Your Job Search
Job hunting should be exciting, not stressful. The more informed you are, the easier it is to recognize warning signs and focus your efforts on real opportunities.
At HireMyMom, we prioritize quality and authenticity by manually reviewing each job listing before it becomes available on our platform. Every job posted is personally verified by a team member, ensuring that only positions from reputable and trustworthy companies are approved. We also encourage job seekers to conduct their own research and due diligence when exploring potential employers.
When you stick to trusted platforms and use your research instincts, you’ll spend less time worrying about scams and more time finding flexible, rewarding work that truly fits your life.