{"id":657,"date":"2025-03-25T13:37:17","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T17:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/?page_id=657"},"modified":"2026-06-01T14:44:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T18:44:18","slug":"is-this-job-a-scam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/is-this-job-a-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Is this job a scam?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Is this job a scam?\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                                    \n\n<p>Check out 9 signs to be aware of and ways to protect yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you think this is job is a scam? Is it too good to be true? The answer in many cases is yes. Below are some tips to protect you from fraudulent job postings or recruitment efforts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">1. <\/strong><strong>You\u2019re contacted with a non\u2011business email address.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Many scams start with an email that looks legitimate, then move you to a personal or encrypted platform (such as Gmail, WhatsApp, Telegram, or text message).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While not all web\u2011based emails are scams, <strong>legitimate employers typically use official organization email addresses<\/strong>. Be aware that <strong>any email address (including ones that appear to come from legitimate or university affiliated domains) can be spoofed, hacked, or impersonated<\/strong>. Never share banking information or personal details based on email alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">2. <\/strong><strong>You\u2019re sent a phishing or fake job email.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These emails may appear to come from a real person, professor, employer, or organization. They often include links or attachments asking for personal information or directing you to a fake application page. Always:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check links carefully before clicking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid entering personal information unless you are 100% sure the source is legitimate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Be cautious of QR codes advertising jobs; instead type the website address yourself and\/or make sure the source is legitimate. (Examples of legitimacy include that the information came from a Carleton department or you met the employer rep in person at a networking event on campus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">3. <\/strong><strong>You\u2019re offered a job on the spot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Legitimate employers do not hire candidates without a real interview process. Interviews may be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In person<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By phone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By live video (Zoom, MS Teams, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>No one is legitimately hired by email, text, or chat alone because employers want to speak with you live to assess fit and qualifications. <\/strong>Be especially cautious if the \u201cinterview\u201d is only:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Text\u2011based<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asynchronous (pre\u2011written questions only)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extremely short and scripted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This applies even to remote or international roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">4. <\/strong><strong>The business does not clearly identify itself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A legitimate employer will clearly state:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The organization\u2019s name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The role and responsibilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to learn more (official website or contact information)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not provide information to individuals soliciting resumes or personal details in hallways, tunnels, or on campus unless they clearly represent a university\u2011affiliated group or an employer with a booth\/session booked through a Carleton department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">5. <\/strong><strong>You\u2019re asked to wire money, deposit a cheque, or forward funds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are asked to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide banking information upfront<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive or deposit money before doing any work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send funds to a \u201csupplier,\u201d \u201cclient,\u201d or third party<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8230;this is a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, the cheque or transfer will later bounce, leaving you responsible for the lost money. Legitimate employers <strong>never<\/strong> operate this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">6. <\/strong><strong>You\u2019re contacted at odd hours or the \u201cemployer\u201d is vague about location.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers often operate in different time zones and may claim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are travelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are working internationally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are unavailable for live communication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While global work is common, <strong>employers should still be transparent and reachable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">7. <\/strong><strong>No experience is required for work that should require experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be cautious if you\u2019re offered responsibility for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Handling money<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial transactions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purchasing or shipping goods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026without any relevant background or training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">8. <\/strong><strong>You\u2019re asked for personal, financial, or identity information.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never share:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Social Insurance Number (SIN)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Banking or credit card information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copies of government ID<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Photos, videos, or voice recordings \u201cfor verification\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026before a legitimate interview process and formal written job offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some scams exist solely to collect personal data for identity theft, even if they never ask for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">9. <\/strong><strong>Things don\u2019t add up when you research the employer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers may use real organizations\u2019 names, logos, or job descriptions copied from legitimate organizations. Always:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check the organization\u2019s official website<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for verified LinkedIn or Glassdoor presence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact the organization using contact info listed on their real website (not what\u2019s provided in the email)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If the organization has little or no online footprint, that\u2019s a red flag to look into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"ways-to-protect-yourself-from-scams\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Use trusted job boards<\/strong>, such as mySuccess, LinkedIn, Indeed, and government or employer websites. No platform is scam\u2011proof, but reputable boards reduce risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Search the job and employer online.<\/strong> Copy and paste the job title, description, and organization into a search engine to see if others have reported concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Look for inconsistencies, not just grammar mistakes.<\/strong> AI has made scam messages more polished. Focus on vague details, pressure tactics, or requests that don\u2019t make sense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ask for a second opinion.<\/strong> If something feels off, talk to Career Services, a professor, advisor, or trusted friend before responding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t be rushed.<\/strong> Scammers create urgency to limit your ability to think critically. Legitimate employers give you time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Report suspicious activity.<\/strong> If the job is on the mySuccess Job Board, please report it to Career Services. If it\u2019s on another platform, report it directly to that site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">If something feels off, the best thing to do is pause and verify.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">For more examples of employment scams, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Government of Canada\u2019s Canadian Anti\u2011Fraud Centre<\/strong><\/a> and familiarize yourself with <a href=\"https:\/\/competition-bureau.canada.ca\/en\/fraud-and-scams\/tips-and-advice\/job-and-employment-scams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Job and Employment Scams<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you think this is job is a scam? Is it too good to be true? The answer in many cases is yes. Below are some tips to protect you from fraudulent job postings or recruitment efforts: 1. You\u2019re contacted with a non\u2011business email address. Many scams start with an email that looks legitimate, then [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[14],"class_list":["post-657","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-general"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/122"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=657"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2516,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/657\/revisions\/2516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}