OfferUp takes trust and safety very seriously. Sometimes, people may try to exploit job seekers on our platform. To protect yourself during your job search, it's important to know how to spot scams and avoid potential risks.
Note
When you apply for a job listed on OfferUp, you provide your information directly to the employer or its agent. OfferUp does not collect or store any job application information. Additionally, please be aware that you are not applying for a job at OfferUp.
Job search safety tips
Before you start your job search, familiarize yourself with these safety tips so you can protect yourself from potential scams:
- Look out for red flags. Check listings and communications from potential employers for suspicious signs like spelling mistakes, generic email addresses, vague job descriptions, and requests for payments or sensitive information.
- Research the company before you apply. Visit their official website and look for the position on their jobs board. This is an easy way to tell if the company is real and if they’re genuinely hiring.
- Trust your instincts. If you’ve researched a job or an employer, but you’re still suspicious, trust your gut and avoid them.
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Don’t share private information upfront. Be cautious about providing potential employers with your Social Security Number (SSN), driver's license number, credit card numbers, or passwords, especially before confirming who you’re communicating with.
- If you have already provided sensitive information (like your SSN) to a suspicious employer, contact your financial institutions immediately to have them monitor your accounts. You may also want to freeze your credit.
- If you have already sent a check or other payment method to a suspicious employer, contact your bank immediately to stop payment.
Spot a fake job listing
Scammers often post fake job listings or create fake websites to steal your personal and financial information. Watch out for these red flags that might indicate a job listing is a scam.
Grammar and spelling mistakes
A fake job listing may contain errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Look for typos, incorrect word choice, and random capitalization. Legitimate employers will proofread their job listings for obvious mistakes before posting them.
Generic email addresses
Sometimes you can spot a fake job listing by inspecting the employer's contact email. Most legitimate employers use their company name as the email domain.
For example:
john.smith@mycompany.com
A fake listing may feature an email address that includes a company name, but ends with a generic or unknown domain like @gmail.com. These types of emails can be an attempt to impersonate a legitimate company. Or, the email address may not include a company name at all. Keep an eye out for these red flags.
For example:
john.mycompany@gmail.com
employmentoffer01@gmail.com
Vague job descriptions
A fake listing may include a vague job description that lacks a clear explanation of the role, location, duties, or requirements. If you’re left wondering what the position actually entails, it’s likely a scam. Most legitimate employers take the time to create detailed job descriptions so they get qualified applicants.
Requests for money
It’s likely a fake job listing if the employer asks you to pay an upfront fee for basic things like background checks, training materials, or equipment. Legitimate employers will not require you to pay for essentials or to purchase materials before you can get started.
Requests for sensitive information
It’s likely a fake job listing if the recruiter or employer asks you to provide sensitive information right away over the phone, by email, or by filling out a generic form. Most legitimate employers won’t ask for this information, especially in the early stages of the process. Be cautious about providing your personal information, such as your Social Security Number (SSN) or driver's license number, especially before you confirm who you’re communicating with. Additionally, never share your financial information during the job application process.
Examples of common job scams
Too good to be true
A fake listing might offer a job with high pay or easy money for a task that requires no prior experience. However, they may ask you to meet certain physical criteria or to fulfill conditions that seem unrelated to the job itself.
For example, the job may offer a lot of money to be a model—no experience necessary. But you need to be a specific gender or between a certain age range. Or, the job may be for a commercial driver, but they ask you to provide a portfolio of headshots when you apply. You may also come across job listings that require you to bank at a specific institution in order to qualify for the job. These are all big red flags.
Look out: These types of scams are sometimes listed under the following job titles: personal assistant, personal driver, modeling, commercial driver, or remote work.
Reship or resell items
A fake listing may offer a job that requires you to receive and reship packages. Or, they may ask you to buy products, then resell them for profit.
For example, the job may require you to receive packages at your home address, repackage the products, and then reship them to a new address. They might even promise to compensate you for postage along with your commission. Or, they may require you to buy brand-name luxury products for less than retail prices and resell them for profit. In these cases, you're likely helping scammers ship or sell stolen items and you could become liable for the merchandise.
Look out: These types of scams are sometimes listed under the following job titles: warehouse or shipping coordinator, package processing assistant, or merchandising manager.
Pay to apply or pay for materials
A fake listing may offer a legitimate sounding job, but before you can even apply, they ask you to pay for something. For example, they may ask you to pay an application fee or to pay for more information that will help improve your candidacy.
Additionally, scammers may offer you a job that requires you to pay for materials upfront. For example, you might see a great opportunity to make money doing car wraps. All you have to do is send a one-time payment, and they’ll send you everything you need to get started. However, once scammers have your money, they never send any materials.
Look out: These types of scams are sometimes listed under the following job titles: personal virtual assistant, data entry, government agency jobs, or car wraps.
Repost on social media
A fake listing may offer a job that requires you to use your own social media page to share or post items for someone else. Or, they may ask you to relist real estate properties using your social account. If you participate, it could result in your account being removed from Facebook, Instagram, or other social media sites.
Look out: These types of scams are sometimes listed under the following job title: reposting or relisting positions, real estate listing, or leasing agent.
MLM and pyramid schemes
While not always fake or illegal, many multi-level marketing schemes (MLMs) and pyramid schemes operate in a way that makes it difficult for participants to make money. They often require you to purchase products to sell, or to recruit new members in order for you to earn money. For your protection, it’s best to avoid any role that appears to be an MLM or pyramid scheme.
Look out: These types of schemes are sometimes listed under the following job titles: ambassador, independent distributor or contractor, promoter, or brand manager.
Make wire transfers
A fake listing may offer a job that requires you to accept funds into your personal bank account. Then, they’ll ask you to transfer a portion of the funds to other accounts. These funds are typically stolen, and if you participate in transferring funds, you could be held liable for the money.
Look out: This type of scam is sometimes listed under the following job title: international relayer.
Report job scams
If you experience any of the above scams or potential new ones, please report them to OfferUp so we can take action to protect the community. If you’ve encountered illegal activity, we recommend you also contact your local authorities. To learn more see, Reporting a serious issue to OfferUp.
If you have any questions, please email us at support@offerup.com.