By: Richard L. Smith
With more than 1.17 million U.S. workers reportedly laid off in 2025, authorities are warning that scammers are taking advantage of people searching for new employment opportunities.
Fraudsters are increasingly using social media, online marketplaces and popular job-search websites to advertise positions that do not exist. In some cases, scammers impersonate legitimate companies or staffing agencies in an effort to obtain personal information or gain access to victims’ finances.
Authorities said scammers may claim to represent recognizable companies, such as Walmart, before directing applicants to fraudulent websites designed to appear legitimate.
Job seekers should be suspicious of advertisements promising unusually high salaries for very little work and should never pay a fee to apply for a position or secure an interview.
Applicants are also urged not to provide banking information, Social Security numbers, copies of government-issued identification or other sensitive information before confirming that the employer and job opportunity are legitimate.
Other warning signs include receiving a job offer without an interview or being contacted by someone whose connection to the company cannot be independently verified.
Officials noted that fraudulent postings can even appear on well-known employment platforms, including LinkedIn and Indeed.
Anyone who believes they have encountered an employment scam should stop communicating with the suspected fraudster and preserve emails, text messages, advertisements and other evidence.
Victims are encouraged to contact their local police department and may also report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.