A job offer can arrive when you least expect it. Before you send documents or accept a request for money, check that the employer, recruiter, and specific role are real.
Pause before you respond
A familiar employer name and a polished message do not prove who sent it. The FTC describes fake recruiters who offer vague remote jobs and later ask for money. Read the FTC alert.
BBB reported that text messages were the delivery method in half of more than 23,000 employment-scam reports submitted to its Scam Tracker in 2025. That describes reports to BBB, not the share of all job scams nationwide. See the BBB study update.
Verify the employer and the recruiter
Start a new search for the employer. Type the address of its official site yourself or find it through a trusted source. Do not use the number or link in the message as your only proof.
Find the careers page and compare the role, location, and job reference number. A missing listing is a reason to ask, not proof by itself. Some roles may be filled or handled by an agency.
Call the employer
Use a number you found independently. Ask its recruiting team whether the opening exists and whether the named person is authorized to recruit for it.
Check any staffing agency
Find the agency independently. Ask it to confirm the recruiter and assignment. If possible, ask the worksite employer whether it uses that agency for the role.
Compare the details
Check the sender’s address and domain carefully, along with the job title and hiring process. A matching name, logo, or profile alone is not proof of identity.
Search the recruiter and company names with “scam” or “complaint,” as the FTC suggests. Search results can reveal warnings, but a clean search does not confirm an offer. See the FTC’s recruiter checks.
Know when to share documents
A real employer may eventually need identity and payroll information. The key question is who receives it and why. An early request for a driver’s license, Social Security number, or bank details before a meaningful interview deserves a pause.
The FTC reports that fake recruiters request those details as supposed employment paperwork. Confirm the offer independently, then ask the verified hiring team which secure onboarding method it uses. Read the FTC guidance.
| Request | A useful check |
|---|---|
| Résumé or application | Use the employer’s independently verified application process. Limit unnecessary sensitive details. |
| Identity documents | Ask why they are needed now, who receives them, and which verified system to use. |
| Bank details | Confirm the employer and payroll process first. Do not send account details to an unverified contact. |
| Password or one-time code | Do not share it with a recruiter. A code can let someone access your account. |
If the recruiter directs you to a portal, confirm the portal address with the employer through your independent contact. Do not assume a link is safe because it looks like a login page.
Recognize the money traps
A fake check can appear in your account before the bank discovers the problem. If you send money back, you can lose your own funds. Another scam shows rising balances for simple online tasks, then asks you to deposit money to withdraw them. The FTC explains both patterns.
A small initial payment, a video interview, or a professional-looking dashboard does not establish that the offer is real. Pressure to act immediately is a reason to stop and check independently.
Try the check on a sample offer
Imagine you receive an unsolicited text offering remote work at a company you recognize. The sender requests a photo of your license before explaining the work. This example is fictional.
Keep the message and any job reference for your records. If the company confirms the recruiter works for it, still confirm the exact opening and the channel for documents.
If you already shared information or paid
Stop contact and record what you shared, when you sent it, and how you paid. Save relevant messages and receipts. Your next steps depend on what the scammer received.
| What happened | What to do now |
|---|---|
| Money sent or bank details shared | Contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Explain the scam and ask about reversal and account protection. |
| Social Security number shared | Use IdentityTheft.gov for guidance. The FTC distinguishes confirmed misuse from exposure where misuse is uncertain. |
| Password shared | Change it and any reused passwords. Turn on two-factor authentication. Use the provider’s recovery process if you cannot sign in. |
| Device access granted | Follow the FTC’s device recovery guidance and contact a trusted technical professional if needed. |
The FTC provides recovery steps for each payment method and exposed account. A refund is not guaranteed. You can also report the scam to the FTC. For suspected identity theft, IdentityTheft.gov can help you choose recovery steps.
Sources and update
Checked November 2, 2026. The example is fictional. Check current employer procedures before sharing documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can a real recruiter contact me by text?
A text alone does not establish who sent it. Treat an unexpected generic job message with caution. Find the employer independently and ask it to confirm the recruiter and opening.
Does a real company name mean the offer is safe?
No. Scammers can use the name and branding of a real company. Contact that company through a number or site you found independently and ask about the specific offer.
Should I send my Social Security number for an interview?
Do not send it to an unverified contact. Ask the verified hiring team why it is needed and how to provide it through its confirmed process.
What if I deposited a check from a supposed employer?
Contact your bank immediately and explain what happened. Do not send any money back to the supposed employer. Ask the bank how to proceed and report the scam to the FTC.