Looking for work can be exciting, but it’s also a time to be careful. Unfortunately, scammers often target job seekers with fake offers designed to steal money or personal information. Understanding how job scams work and how to spot them can help keep you safe.

A job scam happens when someone pretends to be an employer or recruiter and offers a job that seems too good to be true. These scammers often ask people to pay upfront, deposit money for the “company,” or give personal information before anything is confirmed. They might promise a “guaranteed” way to make money or a high-paying job that requires little effort. In reality, their goal is to take your money or steal your identity.

There are several red flags to watch out for. Be cautious if you’re offered a job without applying or having an interview, or if the job posting lacks contact information like a name, email address, or company website. Be wary of emails from personal accounts, such as bob@gmail.com, rather than a professional company email. Other warning signs include job offers from people in another country hiring for roles in Canada, unusually high salaries that don’t match the position, poor spelling and grammar, or emails claiming they reviewed your resume when you never sent one.

To protect yourself, never share private information in your resume or application. This includes your Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, marital status, driver’s license or health card number, banking or credit card information, and any PIN numbers. This kind of personal information should only be shared after you’ve had an interview, received a written job offer, and signed an employment contract. When applying online, only enter personal information on secure websites—look for a padlock symbol and a web address that begins with “https://”. Be cautious of any links or websites sent by strangers. If something feels wrong, search online to see if others have reported issues with the site. Keeping your internet browser up to date can also help spot fraudulent websites.

If you think you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Gather all the information you can, such as emails, text messages, receipts, or screenshots, and report the fraud to your local RCMP. You should also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or by reporting it online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. Let your bank or credit card company know right away. If the scam happened on a website like Indeed, Facebook, eBay, or Kijiji, report the incident directly to that platform. If your identity has been stolen, contact both Equifax and TransUnion to protect your credit.

The best defense against job scams is staying alert. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Take your time, ask questions, and protect your personal information. A real employer will never ask you to pay to get a job.