7 ways to spot work-from-home job scams (and what to do if you fall for it)!

Have you ever stumbled upon an online job that seems a little too good to be true? How can you tell if it's a legitimate job offer or a job scam, especially nowadays when scammers are getting really good?
The good news is you can root out ninety percent of scams by recognizing the following 7 red flags:
1. Vague Job Description
2. Too Good to Be True
3. Unprofessional Emails
4. You're Asked to Pay or Provide Personal Information
5. No Follow Up With Others
6. There are Signs of Website or Email Spoofing
7. The Job Opening Conveys Great Urgency
If you do get scammed, you're not alone, but it is a good idea to report the job listing!
Report a job scam to the Better Business Bureau (BBB): www.bbb.org/scamtracker
Typical remote job scams: www.bbb.org/new-york-city/sca...
Trustworthy Job Sites:
www.thebalancecareers.com/top...
__________________________________________________________________________________________
🚀 Ready to supercharge your business and learn from an industry expert? Dive into my exclusive 12-week course, VA Business Blueprint! 🌟 Get ready for game-changing business development and skill enhancement. 📈 You'll unlock a treasure chest of resources: weekly fresh videos, invaluable templates, powerful scripts, downloadable tools, and so much more!
🔥 Don't miss out. Explore the Business Blueprint @ $199: erin-booth.teachable.com/cour...
💎 Searching for targeted, in-depth COURSES to elevate your Virtual Assistant business? Look no further! Unleash your potential with my standalone courses, each tailored to empower your business growth. 📚 Gain lifetime access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
📦 Ready to level up? Discover the Courses @ $12.99: erin-booth.teachable.com/cour...
💵 Tight on funds? No problem! Join my membership and enjoy a lifetime access to ALL OF MY CURRENT & FUTURE COURSES.
💡 Join the Membership @ $9.99: erin-booth.teachable.com/p/er...
#VirtualAssistant #VirtualAssistantTraining #VirtualAssistantCoach

[@robertcurry7860]

Hey Erin, I am glad to have come across your Y.T. Thumbnail this Tuesday morning for the first time. Thanks for making this important video on the "7 Ways To Spot WFH Job Scams". That's cool to hear that you are a Freelance VA; I am a Freelance VA as well (in the early stages though). Thanks again, Erin. Have a great rest of your work week. 😊

[@Duminique1]

Hey Erin, another thing to consider is scammers use people from Linkin pictures and profiles to deceive you as well.

[@ErinBooth]

That’s very true. LinkedIn phishing is so strange to me!

[@williammckinney4090]

It's hard to be critical when you're still waiting for your Unemployment claim to process, have a negative bank account balance, need groceries, and rent is due. I feel ashamed and disgusted.

[@ErinBooth]

William, that sounds beyond stressful and I'm sorry to hear that this is a hard time. I can totally understand where you're coming from. Now, more than ever, it's important to be critical of scammers so that you don't waste your time or income!

[@Stussmeister]

Very insightful. I'm currently in the job market, and while I apply to about 3-5 jobs per week, I get a few scam job offers in that same timeframe. I've learned to recognize these as scams due to: Numerous grammatical errors, recruiter doesn't specify which job board they found my info on, job is only partially related to my skills/experience, recruiter mentions a job with a "client" without ever mentioning the company name, recruiter asks for a resume or other personal information.

[@cleonemusician217]

SO appreciated, Erin. Thank you!

[@ErinBooth]

You are so welcome!

[@simonpeterdalangpan9761]

Thank you for clearing this out!

[@ErinBooth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Carguidepal]

I am definitely going to increase your views on this video. Good work!

[@emmanuelesselafful8563]

Thank you Erin for the great tips. This is a very good starts for fresh VAs like me 😊

[@ErinBooth]

I'm so glad!

[@emmanuelesselafful8563]

@@ErinBooth I’m new into virtual assistance and I’m still taking some programs in the journey. I’ve watched your videos and they offer very great tips. Is there a way I can reach you to ask some personal questions?

[@theresavidal239]

This was a great video. How do you go about freelance work as a VA

[@angelcharmer]

Thank you for the update on job scams. I am right now looking for work from home jobs, can you please give me list of those reliable companies. Any job will do, Thank you!

[@vodaz9109]

It's a weekly to monthly occurrence for me. Someone yesterday texted me out of the blue asking for my name (they knew it somehow) and then said they found my application (which I never sent) for some therapeutic company. Inconsistent CAPS and extra spaces all around.

[@ErinBooth]

All red flags! Drives me nuts too.

[@aaronjess1608]

My sister in law got a call from someone that told her she can work from home to make outgoing calls and will get 600 a week, she knew that seemed to good to be true so she looked up the company that she said was called International Society of Female Professionals, and she told me and my wife that it had TONS of people saying that company is a scam, they don't pay their employees, she said they made excuses as to why they can't send their employees money. People like that make me sick

[@dermotkelly2971]

Thank you Erin. Do you think you can send me some links for working at home online? I'm an online English teacher but I would like a change. I don't have experience working online only teaching. Thanks so much

[@sunset8657]

I sent this video to the person I was having a scam 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I did good thank you ❤😂

[@IMar320]

I just had to change my bank account number because these people had sent me a check to purchase my computer and stuff. I’m so glad I didn’t wait too long before they tried to take my money.

[@ErinBooth]

Dang! Really glad you caught it before they were able to access your account.

[@marcowicc]

What job was it

[@justanaveragebalkan]

Not every time getting the job after the first interview is a scam but yeah most of the time it is. I am software developer 7 years of experience, i often get offers if not on the first interview then surely on the second one. My current job was one of these situations, i was on a discord board helping some junior developers, it was good timing, client joined to post a job offering, directly contacted me, i was a bit skeptical, but i agreed on an interview, ended the call with a contact to lead the flutter team on their new pilot application. Good things can happen, most often don't. Also, https has nothing remotely close to what you said, but i guess for a regular user it's good enough to at least know you shouldn't visit sites that have no encryption.

[@stepbystep8525]

Cool!

[@theresavidal239]

I have been unemployed since August and at 60 am having a difficult time securing something

[@Ella-ik6vs]

If they tell me I need to purchase a credit card for data entry job it’s a scam right ?

[@ErinBooth]

YES, definitely

[@zachdevine871]

Ye I got a job offer though Facebook and the part where they were like "your hired!". "Now we need your SSN and address" and everything else I was like... No I think I'ma pass because this is super fishy how they "hired' me within 20 minutes.

[@ErinBooth]

OH man, sorry that happened to you and I'm so glad you spotted the scam early on!

[@rogerl19]

I currently work at a major tech company whose recruiters reached out to me in my personal email account. Fortunately they were emailing from a real company domain. As an engineer, I knew how to read the email headers and learn that it was legit. But for someone less technical, they should verify easily by starting a new email and manually type out the address to that person instead. And do some extra checking by calling the company directly. I didn’t want folks to miss out on a possible awesome job because recruiters do reach out to people first sometimes.

[@ErinBooth]

Great suggestion, thanks for sharing w the community!

[@andreskaufman8398]

Is it a scam if they charge you $70 to start “on board” training?

[@ErinBooth]

Wow, yes! I've never heard of anyone charging to onboard a VA. Can you tell me more? Is this a person or a company?

[@CeCe_Bride_Of_Jesus_Christ]

I struggle badly with social anxiety and I really want a work from home job but I have NO experience. Plus there's too many scammers out there. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Do you know work from job websites that does not require experience and that do not scam?

[@antolintaveras7914]

Haul sounds like a scam for job.

[@ForEveryone-bv3cq]

Jamie houge kid my brother was friends with scamed me he knew i needed a job did nothing after losing hotel job....thanks Jamie

[@lizajane55555]

I was on Upwork and daily got the scammers :(

[@ErinBooth]

Upwork is tough, i'm so sorry you're experiencing that.

[@lux5102]

What do u do if they get private Info out of u.my wife gave up phone emails address and name.they sent us money by check. But I didn't send it back.

[@ErinBooth]

First, you can call the bank that supposedly issued the check to make sure it is real. Those bank details should be on the check. Official checks usually contain watermarks, security threads, color-changing ink and other security features. While scammers are able to sometimes copy these security features, the quality is often poorly executed. Don't cash the check yet - if you do - the bank will eventually come back and tell you that you owe money back. You might also get hit with penalty fees. Good luck!

[@lux5102]

@@ErinBooth the check was sent by email and it is already cashed.we set it into another account.they are recruiting under a company called sci technology.we just called them and they confirmed they are not offering work from home jobs

[@ErinBooth]

Call your bank immediately and let them know you’ve been a victim of a scam. Ask them to stop processing the check and ask if there’s anything you can do to ensure that you don’t get hit with penalties.

[@lux5102]

Ty.u are a lifesaver.they checked it and it was a fake and they are monitoring our stuff.

[@ErinBooth]

@@lux5102 Phew! Thank goodness you moved on it quickly!

[@dianneandkelly6004]

How do you think this might change with AI - seems like job descriptions might be easy with AI

[@ErinBooth]

Great Q and your raise a good point. AI is certainly making scams more sophisticated. My suggestion is to do your due diligence as you normally should: Google the company website (or the individual client), look for their LinkedIn, personal social media accounts, company socials, etc. Connect with the potential client on LI w/ a note like "love the work you're doing, looking forward to chatting about potentially working together." If the recipient has no idea what you're talking about - you can inform them that they're being "catfished."

[@user-ek4oe8ih2k]

Is possible to get a job offer before interview?

[@ErinBooth]

Never, never, never. No one would hire a someone before speaking. Clients want to ensure that you’re a real person with skills, experiences, and are a good fit for their businesses too.

[@curlywillowflowerfarm7705]

Does this happen on LinkedIn also

[@ErinBooth]

It can, unfortunately! Scams can happen anywhere on any platform. Use this tips to identify red flags 🚩

[@dreamyvibez3486]

What happens if they have your information they have my if and social they wanted to deposit money in my account u asked them for check they said they can't I literally thought this was legit I had 20 questions for interview this is for assuarance company

[@ErinBooth]

What's the company?

[@dreamyvibez3486]

@@ErinBooth assuarance iq llc

[@ErinBooth]

@@dreamyvibez3486 and this is the website? assurance.com - did you find the person who interviewed you on LinkedIn? And I want to make sure I am understanding but... is the issue that they will not mail you a check for payment?

[@dreamyvibez3486]

@@ErinBooth His name is Charles. Rande they interviewed me through text message . He said I got the job ,however there was going to be equipment delivered to me and they would deposit 5000 dollars to my account to cover the cost , they also informed me that there employees have all done this as well . I let them know that sounds fishy , if I'm hired why don't they send me the equipment free? I asked them to send a check to verify they said they can't do so. I didn't proceed any further . The company still jas my information on a jot form , the company name is assuarance iq llc but when I looked on it say I have to have a liscence in order to work there , which wasn't stated in the interview .I don't want to take anymore chances I reported them becuase I gave put my social and ID thinking it was legit , they don't have my bank information which is cool but I'm afraid that if they are scammed they would still my identity. I did a live call with then on outlook, so who knows it could be real. I have reported them as well but apparently it doswnt guaranteed the help I need so I'm hopless at this point.

[@breadjesus8289]

What’s really fucked up is I got scammed by the job recommended by my fucking school which confused me when they pulled all the money

[@kfergus3662]

Is Jobcase a scam?

[@ErinBooth]

I haven't used it but a quick search seems..legit!

[@ottoblog9208]

One tip can be that if they use emojis specially heart simbol in response to you,,, that's a scam.

[@ErinBooth]

Really?? I didn't know that one, thanks for sharing! (P.S. I am so tempted to add a heart right now for fun...)

[@ottoblog9208]

@@ErinBooth That's not prefessional at all, and weird so as soon as I got that I stop chatting with them.

[@_Emrahn07]

I contacted Mr movark to help track down this scammers and we have made huge progress already we have his exact location we are just waiting for the Feds he shall be caught real soon

[@whathuh6965]

@0:08 I mean, you could've edited this out.

[@ErinBooth]

I always keep my bloopers in

[@a.c.130]

So let’s say you are offered the position and due to legal matters you have to divulge personal information; what information is common place to give and is there a way to tell if things are a scam in that phase of the hiring process?

[@ErinBooth]

That's a great question. 99% of the time, if you're working SOLO (freelancing, and not with a company) there's very little info you need to give to a client. You may be asked to provide a W9 form if you're based in the US, which will include your address and social security number. Don't send anything until contracts are signed and you've confirmed that your client is real ;)

[@a.c.130]

@@ErinBooth Ok thanks for that. It’s a permanent position in which we went through the interview process in which I interviewed with a manager senior level associates and trainer at the same time. They were very knowledgeable and answered all questions I had. As well as ask me technical and interpersonal questions to test my aptitude. It’s been a week and they say they want to get to the next steps. That being me filling out an Employment form that has me enter basically all of my information along with references that they will call. Once I submit the for they will begin background check. The salary hasn’t been disclosed yet and when I check associates and the company everything seems air tight. What do you think?

[@a.c.130]

@@ErinBooth thanks for the help 😁 luckily the position ended up being real and I got it!

[@sammiyabrandon8205]

They are on careerbuilder too I told one I had chime bank and they wanted to know if I had another bank 🚩

[@ErinBooth]

How frustrating!! I’m so sorry

[@victoriatrigg255]

Same !!

[@victoriatrigg255]

They are on indeed too just almost got scammed myself 😭 glad I caught on

[@trommelbiel]

One job scammer kept messaging me on WhatsApp and l challenged her to call me on video and she immediately said she was going for training. She was trying to get me to click a link.

[@ErinBooth]

BOO, that is so scummy of her. Good thing you caught on! Sorry this happened to you.