Many Americans are on the hunt for the perfect remote job or side hustle, and criminal scammers are ready to exploit these ambitions. With work-from-home jobs increasing in popularity and employment scams on the rise, now is a great time to review the warning signs of a shady job posting.

Beware of any job that offers a large income with little to no training or experience. Likewise, avoid any position that requires you to pay in advance for certification, training, or equipment. Business offers guaranteed to “pay off quickly” or “double your investment” are also highly suspicious.

Make sure to check that job sites specializing in remote work screen the openings and companies listed, and don’t assume a position is genuine just because it was posted on a legitimate job board. It could still be a scam.  Furthermore, it's important to be cautious of online testimonials; work-at-home sites are full of fake personal stories of people claiming to make thousands of dollars a month because they took advantage of this “amazing opportunity.”

Be a fraud fighter!  If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. 

AARP Fraud Watch Network™ is a free resource for all. Learn how to proactively spot scams or get guidance if you’ve been targeted. Visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call our dedicated helpline to speak to a fraud specialist at 877-908-3360. 

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out our online form or send an email to me@aarp.org.