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scam type guide

job & employment scams.

fake recruiters. task scams. advance-fee fraud.

Job scams target job seekers with fake offers for remote work, data entry, or product testing. Scammers impersonate real companies, post on legitimate job boards, and even conduct fake interviews before extracting money or personal information.

$501M.

lost to job scams in 2024

$2,000.

average loss per victim

35%.

of victims applied on LinkedIn

94.5%.

suss. detection rate

red flags to watch for.

if you see any of these, suss it out before responding.

unrealistic pay

$300-500/day for simple tasks, data entry, or product reviews. If it sounds too good, it is.

upfront payment required

You need to buy equipment, pay for training, or purchase crypto before starting.

vague job description

No specific company name, unclear responsibilities, generic 'work from home' pitch.

interview via chat only

The entire hiring process happens over Telegram, WhatsApp, or text — no video or phone calls.

task-based compensation

You're told to complete tasks (reviews, purchases, transfers) to earn commissions.

requests personal info early

SSN, bank account, or ID copies before any formal offer letter or contract.

real examples suss. catches.

paste messages like these into suss. for instant analysis.

Hi! I saw your resume on Indeed. We have a remote data entry position paying $45/hour. No experience needed. Reply YES to get started immediately!

job_task_scamurgency_pressureunrealistic_compensation

HIGH RISK — job scam recruitment

Great news! You've been selected for the position. To get started, please purchase a $200 equipment kit from our vendor. You'll be reimbursed on your first paycheck.

advance_fee_fraudmoney_request

HIGH RISK — advance-fee job scam

real victim stories.

anonymized cases from actual job & employment scams reports.

A recent grad received a WhatsApp message about a 'product testing' role paying $400/day. After completing tasks, they asked him to 'prepay' for high-value items.

Lost: $2,800
via WhatsApp

No real employer asks you to spend your own money first.

A woman was hired via a professional-looking Zoom interview. They sent a check for 'equipment' — it bounced after she forwarded money to the 'vendor.'

Lost: $4,500
via LinkedIn → Zoom

Fake checks can take weeks to bounce. Never forward money from a check.

check it now.

paste a suspicious message below for instant AI analysis.

how to protect yourself.

follow these tips and use suss. to verify anything suspicious.

Legitimate employers never ask you to pay upfront for equipment or training.

Research the company independently — don't rely on links they send you.

Be wary of job offers that come through text or messaging apps.

Never share your SSN or bank details before signing a formal offer letter.

If the pay seems too good for the work described, it's a scam.

Report fake job postings to the job board and the FTC.

think you've seen a job & employment scam?.

paste the message, email, or link into suss. for an instant AI-powered analysis. free, no signup needed.