Work from home scams are fake job offers that try to steal your money or personal information.
How They Work
Scammers post fake jobs in online. The job postings sometimes may look like they’re from real companies. They do this to try to get money or personal information from you.
Look for these signs of a job scam:
- You are asked to pay first. You may be asked to buy training, starter kits, or equipment.
- They are typically advertised as assistant, customer service, reshipping, or work from home job roles.
- Sometimes you’re asked to deposit check(s) or receive money and then send a portion of it to someone else. These checks are fake, and you end up owing the bank.
- In some scams, you’ll be asked to deposit money via cryptocurrency to do tasks or unlock more work.
- Initially, you might see small “earnings,” but eventually you can’t withdraw and lose everything.
Warning Signs
Be careful if a job:
- Comes from someone or a company you don’t know.
- Promises a lot of money for very little work.
- Asks you to pay money first for training, software, or equipment.
- Wants payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- Pressures you to act quickly or decide right away.
Avoiding a Job Scam
Ask yourself these questions. If you answer yes to any, it could be a scam:
- Did someone you don't know offer you a job out of nowhere?
- Are they asking you to pay money before you start?
- Do they want payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer?
- Have they promised you a lot of money for little work?
- Can you find very little information about the company online?
What You Can Do
- Look up the company online to see if there is any information about it.
- Never pay for a job. Don't pay for kits, send money, or deposit checks.
- Don’t give out personal or bank information until you are sure the job is real.
- If you’re unsure, talk to someone you trust before taking any steps.
Report Job Scams
If you suspect you’ve encountered a work-from-home scam or have been victimized:
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- If cryptocurrency or online fraud is involved, also consider reporting to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov
- Contact the Washington State Office of the Attorney General at www.atg.wa.gov.