Employment scams prey on people anxious to find work

A Waltham resident recently applied to an online job posted on CareerBuilder that matched his qualifications and interests. But he became suspicious when he was asked to pay for equipment. He called the employer and learned the job post was a scam.

The Waltham Police Department warns that people are being victimized by scammers every day. Examples include cryptocurrency fraud, fake tech support to fix non-existent computer problems and “phishing” emails that trick you into giving personal information. 

Scams are constantly evolving, and the workplace has become a major hunting ground. The growth of online job searches and remote work opportunities make it easy for scammers to pose as real employers.

According the Better Business Bureau, employment scams are #1 on the biggest scams list for 2026. Imposters are posting jobs on trusted sites such as ZipRecruiter and Indeed that are nearly indistinguishable from real listings. Many people looking for work are being ripped off, and desperation makes job hunters more susceptible to fraud. 

These scams can take many forms, from publishing fake websites to offering false job opportunities. They’re looking to cash in with an offer you can’t refuse for a position that doesn’t exist. 

In one common scenario, a fake employer offers an applicant a job and then tells that person to buy expensive equipment in order to work remotely. The supposed company says it will reimburse the new employee and sends a fraudulent check — usually for more than the equipment was worth, asking the employee to send the difference via Venmo or PayPal before the fake check bounces. 

So how do you stay safe and not waste your time? Here are a few key signs and red flags that can help identify potentially fake job postings, according to Indeed. 

• Always conduct thorough research on the company and the job offer. If the information provided is too vague, the pay is extremely high, or the offer seems too good to be true, these are red flags signaling a potential scam.

• Avoid job listings asking for up-front payments, promising high wealth in a short time, or that use unprofessional communication. Such signs often indicate the job ad isn’t legitimate.