Job posting red flags, and what each one really means

Most job posting red flags are not about the writing in the ad. They are about what happens after you reply. This guide lists the signs that the US Federal Trade Commission, Australia’s Scamwatch and the UK’s Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) each tell job seekers to watch for. We read all five pages on 2 November 2026. We add nothing that is not on them.

None of these signs proves an offer is fake. Each one is a reason to stop and check before you go further. For a step-by-step check, see is this remote job legit?. For how the scams work, see remote job scams.

Red flags about money

1. You are asked to pay to get the job. This is the sign the sources repeat most. The FTC says honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job, including the US federal government. Scamwatch says to stop and check any offer that needs you to pay money to make money. Report Fraud describes fake employers asking for fees for equipment, training or security checks, with a promise to pay it back.

2. They send you a check and ask you to send part back. The FTC says a real employer does not do this.

3. You are asked to pay by bank transfer, payment app or cryptocurrency. Scamwatch warns against upfront payment by bank transfer, PayID or cryptocurrency, and says it is rare to get money back that way. The FTC mentions fake invoices for equipment or “training” paid through apps such as Cash App, Zelle or PayPal, with a refund that never comes.

4. You are told to top up an account with your own money to complete tasks. Scamwatch lists this as a warning sign.

5. The job involves moving money, buying things, or receiving packages for someone else. Scamwatch lists this as a warning sign.

Red flags about information

6. They ask for ID or bank details before an interview. The FTC says scammers ask for a driver’s licence, Social Security number or bank account number early, for “employment paperwork”, and that real employers do not ask for this kind of information until they have interviewed and hired you. Scamwatch says never to send your passport or identity documents unless you are certain the employer is genuine.

7. The recruiter uses a personal email address. The FTC and Report Fraud both say recruiters usually write from a company address, not a free one such as Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail.

Red flags about how they contact you and move you along

8. They contact you out of the blue by text or by an encrypted app. Scamwatch lists an unexpected contact by text message or by apps such as WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram as a warning sign.

9. Everything moves very fast, with no real interview. Scamwatch lists a quick hiring process, with no interview or talk about your experience and references, as a warning sign. The FTC describes scammers sending official-looking paperwork before you have interviewed. It also notes that scammers have invited people to lengthy interviews to make them lower their guard.

10. High pay for little effort, from home. Scamwatch lists this as a warning sign.

Report Fraud adds three smaller signs: poor spelling and grammar in documents, an employer who tries hard to push you to use a particular agency for travel, and visa costs that do not match what an embassy tells you.

What to do instead

• Check the company through details you already know. The FTC says to contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real, not one the recruiter gave you. Scamwatch says to use phone numbers you found yourself.
• Search the company or recruiter’s name with words like “scam”, “review” or “complaint”. The FTC suggests this.
• Check the organisation exists. Report Fraud says to check official records. In the UK that includes Companies House. In other countries, use your own country’s official company register.
• Do not trust an ad just because of where it appears. Scamwatch says scammers post fake ads on trusted platforms too.
• Slow down. Scamwatch says a real offer will not need a fast decision.
• Tell someone you trust. The FTC suggests talking to a friend or loved one before you act.

If you have already paid or shared details

Contact your bank or card provider right away, as Scamwatch and Report Fraud both advise. Stop talking to the “employer” and keep their details. Then report it: the FTC points to ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US, Scamwatch handles reports in Australia, and Report Fraud handles them in the UK. In other countries, ask your bank or your national police or consumer agency. We have not listed them all.