{"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":"2026-06-16T13:49:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T17:49:03","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 job is a scam? Is it too good to be true? The answer in many cases is yes. Familiarize yourself with these warning signs and the ways to protect yourself from fraudulent practices when job hunting.<\/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<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 confident 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you think this job is a scam? Is it too good to be true? The answer in many cases is yes. Familiarize yourself with these warning signs and the ways to protect yourself from fraudulent practices when job hunting. 1. You\u2019re contacted with a non\u2011business email address. Many scams start with an email that [&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":2551,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/career\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/657\/revisions\/2551"}],"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}]}}