Fraud, impersonation, digital deception, and scams are an alarming reality for today’s job seekers. In 2025, fake recruiters lurk at every turn, threatening your safety and livelihood as you look for your next opportunity. Stay alert, as these dangers are real and can have serious consequences!
Caveat emptor: Let the buyer beware. Staying cautious of various deceptive tactics is important, especially as you seek your next role on and off LinkedIn.
This article was co-authored with Stuart Weiner, who will present this topic at the Great Careers Network in 2026.
1) Job Offer Scams
With over 7.4 million unemployed workers in the U.S. as of August 2025, job offer scams are a common way for scammers to exploit others’ desperation.
This internet scam often appears on job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn. It may come as a phone call, message, or unsolicited email. You may come across job offers that require little to no work but promise quick cash.
If a scammer gains your trust, they may use the so-called “job offer” to request personal information such as your name, Social Security number, address, or direct deposit details, under the guise of routine paperwork. Requests for money to cover training or equipment are especially strong indicators of a scam.
Job offer scam warning signs:
- A job offer’s pay is too good to be true
- You receive a job offer without applying
- The job description is poorly written and contains grammatical errors
- There isn’t much information about the company online
- The company website looks spammy or unprofessional
Job offer scam prevention tip: Apply only to positions on reputable job sites. Do not provide personal information or payment to unknown employers. Decline offers for jobs to which you didn’t apply, as scammers often reach out to unsuspecting applicants.
2) Lottery
Lottery scams often involve fraudsters reaching out by email or social media, claiming you’ve won a significant prize. These claims usually accompany requests for money to pay fictitious “taxes and fees.” It’s essential to be cautious and verify before responding to such messages.
Lottery scam warning signs:
- You win a prize for a contest you didn’t enter
- You have to pay to get your prize
- The lottery claims to be run by the federal government
- Your lottery ticket says it’s from states without a lottery: AL, AK, HI, NV, or UT
- The lottery organization says that you can pay to increase your chances of winning
Lottery scam prevention tip: Only trust lottery win notifications if you have actually entered the sweepstakes. Never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts.
3) Nigerian Prince Scam
The Nigerian Prince scam, also known as 419 fraud, is a type of advance fee scam in which a fraudster strikes up a conversation, shares an emotional story, and convinces their target to send money to help transfer assets or access funds tied up in a bank account.
Despite their prevalence, these scams can still be effective, as fraudsters use convincing and urgent stories – approach such messages with skepticism and care.
Nigerian Prince scam warning signs:
- You get a message from someone claiming to be distantly related to you
- The supposed “prince” promises valuables, love, or titles in exchange for money
- The messages you receive have spelling and grammatical errors
- The person messaging you refuses to answer direct questions
Nigerian Prince scam prevention tip: Do not respond or engage with any unexpected emails or messages from unfamiliar people, particularly if they request money or personal information.
4) Online Dating Scams
Internet dating presents risks, as some cybercriminals may attempt to manipulate or exploit users on these platforms. Emotional manipulation can result in losses, so approach online relationships thoughtfully and carefully.
And because scammers can craft the perfect fictitious dating profile and love bomb you over text, this specific scam may be hard to detect at first. The median loss among over 64,000 people who fell for a romance scam in 2023 was $2,000, the highest of any imposter scam.
Dating scam warning signs:
- Their profile seems too generic or perfect
- They live out of state
- The relationship moves fast
- They ask for money and/or personal information
- They continually make up excuses for not meeting in person or by video chat
- Their images appear under someone else’s name when you do a reverse image search
Dating scam prevention tip: If building an online relationship, protect yourself by verifying identities and details. Ask questions, proceed slowly, and never send money or sensitive information, regardless of how convincing the person appears to be.
5) Charity Scams (and my personal concern as a 501(c)3 nonprofit)
Online charity scams often occur following major events or tragedies, as some individuals attempt to take advantage of increased generosity on social media, crowdfunding platforms, and email. It is helpful to remain attentive and verify requests before donating.
This is an effective scam because fraudsters can prey on people’s good intentions to get rich quickly during hard times.
Charity scam warning signs:
- They aren’t transparent about how they’ll use your money
- The person you’re talking to asks for personal information
- The organizer promises to return your money
- The person collecting money doesn’t contact you through official channels
Charity scam prevention tip: Protect your generosity. Always independently research any charity by checking its official website, reading reviews, and confirming its registration status using sources like the Better Business Bureau or Charity Navigator before donating.
Personal Note: This is especially disheartening for me as a 501(c)3 nonprofit leader with Giving Tuesday approaching. We are on Guidestar as the Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group, but we do business as Great Careers Network. We also have a legitimate Givebutter fundraising platform where you will receive an immediate tax-deductible donation receipt.
6) Social Media Scams
Social media scams continue to dupe users into entering fake giveaways, buying low-quality products, or sharing personal information. Scams can be found on all platforms. Fraudsters often create fake giveaways, bogus sales, fake relationships, and impersonate influencers, aiming to steal money or personal information. Staying cautious can help users avoid these threats.
These scams are prevalent on various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Yubo, Threads, TikTok, and more. Recent data shows that social media is now the most common method used by fraudsters.
Social media scam warning signs:
- Someone is selling a great product or service at an extremely low price
- A user you don’t know well requests money
- You receive messages with suspicious links
- People with incomplete profiles, limited followers, or stolen photos try to contact you
- The person you’re messaging plays on your emotions or shares manipulative stories
Social media scam prevention tip: Social media scam prevention tip: Immediately verify any person or business before interacting, especially if money is involved. Don’t wait; act before it’s too late!
7) Shopping Scams
Cybercriminals are actively creating fake shopping websites that closely resemble popular sites such as Amazon, Etsy, or Shein. These scams may appear urgent, offering well-known clothing brands and expensive electronics at unusually low prices. Be cautious, as these sites are designed to encourage purchases and can expose your banking information.
Shopping scam warning signs:
- You get redirected to an unsecured website, without “https” in the URL
- The site uses stolen images to promote products
- The seller has many negative reviews
- There’s no way to contact the seller directly
- The seller doesn’t have a clear return policy
Shopping scam prevention tip: Verify any person or business before interacting, especially when money is involved. Taking proactive steps can make a difference.
8) Government Impersonation Scams
Some scammers may pose as government agencies, use pressure tactics, or threaten consequences such as fines or legal action. Being aware of these potential strategies can help you protect your personal information and recognize unofficial requests.
Some common government impersonation ruses include:
IRS scams: Scammers claiming to be from the IRS demand that you make a tax payment, often threatening arrest or legal action.
Law enforcement scams: Scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to demand money or personal information, often claiming that they issued a warrant.
Grant scams: Scammers offer victims the opportunity to receive government grants or loans in exchange for upfront fees or personal information.
SNAP Benefit Scams: This is a current problem with the recent government shutdown, so be aware.
Open Enrollment Scams: This is a problem during open enrollment for healthcare, which generally runs from November 1 to January 15 for the Marketplace, private healthcare, Medicare, and employer-sponsored insurance. Medicare open enrollment is from October 15 to December 7 each year, and individuals can enroll in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage or change from one plan to another.
Taxpayer Identification Number: If you are setting up a small business and need a tax ID number or employer identification number (EIN), ensure the website you use is the irs.gov website and not another.
Government impersonation scam warning signs:
- The scammer threatens you with arrest, deportation, or other legal consequences
- The person you’re talking to claims they can accept gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer to settle cases
- They pressure you to take action quickly without doing research
- They don’t contact you through an official email address or phone number
Government impersonation scam prevention tip: Independently verify the legitimacy of all supposed government websites and messages before responding—with no exceptions. Search for contact details directly and do it now, never later!
9) Phishing Scams
Phishing scams aggressively target people, aiming to trick them into clicking on malicious links in a hurry. Falling for these scams can quickly lead to dangerous malware downloads or immediate theft of sensitive information. Phishers skillfully send fake emails or texts designed to look like they come from sources you trust – your bank, a social networking site, a store, your school or employer, or even a friend. Stay alert: a single click can have serious consequences.
It’s estimated that cybercriminals send 3.4 billion phishing emails daily, and nearly 30% of them are opened.
Phishing scam warning signs:
- You receive messages with suspicious links and attachments
- The messages you get are generic and have poor spelling and grammar
- They request personal information or resort to intimidation
- You can’t verify the sender’s identity
- When you hover over links in the message, the URLs don’t look legitimate
- A name you know, like, and trust may be used by an impersonator who has a different email address than you are used to using. This happened to me last week, when my virtual assistant’s name was used to request a change of bank information for my payments.
Phishing scam prevention tip: Contact the company that supposedly sent the message directly via an official channel to confirm if the email you received was legitimate. Also, use Norton Genie, a free, AI-powered scam-detection tool, to help determine whether messages are scams if you are a PC user.
10) Grandparent Scams
Elderly people are common targets of scams because fraudsters know many are quick to help family members.
Scammers may pose as a grandchild in need to scam them out of money. They may claim to be abroad and need money for a last-minute train ticket, ask for help covering a hospital bill, or come up with a unique lie.
Grandparent scam warning signs:
You get a text message or email from an unsaved number
- A family member asks for a surprising amount of money
- The person asking for money wants you to keep it a secret
- You can’t verify the person’s identity or story
- The ruse creates a sense of urgency and plays on your emotions
- The person used AI to impersonate your family members’ voices
Grandparent scam prevention tip: Avoid acting immediately and verify your family member’s identity, asking specific questions only they would know. Create a family question and code word that only real family members would know.
11) Cryptocurrency Scams
A cryptocurrency scam typically involves an investment scheme that promises massive returns but delivers nothing. Alternatively, it may be an advance-fee scam, where scammers prefer cryptocurrency payments because they are almost impossible to trace and recover once the fraud is discovered.
Cryptocurrency is now a popular way scammers steal money, with losses exceeding $9 billion in 2024.
Cryptocurrency scam warning signs:
- You’re “guaranteed” a return on your investment
- The person you’re talking to pressures you to act quickly
- The investor isn’t registered and has no endorsements
Cryptocurrency scam prevention tip: Research cryptocurrency exchanges before investing, and never respond to urgent payment requests.
12) Ransomware Scams
A cybercriminal may infect your computer with ransomware after a successful online scam. Once installed, the malware encrypts your files, and the attacker demands a ransom, often in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. With ransomware losses projected to hit $265 billion over the coming decade, it’s crucial to learn how to protect yourself.
Ransomware scam warning signs:
- You receive emails with suspicious attachments
- The scammer uses threatening language
- You’re told to send money to maintain your privacy
- The person you’re talking to creates a sense of urgency
Ransomware scam prevention tip: Back up your data and use reliable online security software to help prevent ransomware from locking your device.
13) Holiday Scams
Unfortunately, the holidays are a common time of year when scammers exploit people’s generosity and holiday spirit. Holiday scams involve requests for donations to non-existent charities, fake sales or deals,
gift card scams, or phishing attempts disguised as holiday greetings. They often succeed by preying on emotions and the season’s spending frenzy.
Holiday scam warning signs:
- The scammer offers you incredibly low prices on popular holiday items
- You receive communications from popular retailers with deals and discounts that seem off.
- You get emails with links to fake websites
- Sellers ask you to pay for items with gift cards or through wire transfers
- You don’t get tracking information after making a purchase
- People asking for donations don’t say where the money is going
Holiday scam prevention tip: When shopping online for holiday gifts, always double-check the URL to ensure it is legitimate and not a spoofed website.
14) Purchase Scams
Purchase scammers trick buyers into paying for goods or services, then either fail to deliver or don’t meet expectations. These types of scams can run rampant on online marketplaces, auction sites, and social media, but you may also encounter them on fake websites or through email promotions.
Purchase scam warning signs:
- The seller only accepts cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, and other forms of payment that are hard to trace
- The website has design, spelling, and grammatical errors
- You can’t find any information about the seller online
- The vendor has numerous bad reviews
Purchase scam prevention tip: Always verify the seller’s legitimacy by checking their online reputation and avoiding sellers who insist on unusual payment methods.
15) Extortion and Blackmail Scams
Blackmail and extortion scams are serious crimes where a criminal threatens to harm or expose someone online unless their demands are met. Often, the blackmailer threatens to expose intimate photos or videos or ruin someone’s reputation via social media.
- The scammer threatens to release private or embarrassing information unless you pay
- They demand you pay them with an untraceable method
- They demand payment by a specific time and date
Blackmail scam prevention tip: Never engage with the scammer, no matter what they threaten; instead, notify the police.
16) Adoption Scams
Adoption scams often appear on social media or fake agency websites, targeting hopeful families.
Scammers try to exploit the emotional vulnerability of prospective parents, and typically request upfront payments for supposed costs like legal fees, medical exams, or travel.
Once victims make their payments, the scammers may disappear or make baseless placement promises to get more money from you. To drive home the scam, many criminals will create fake profiles and backstories using stolen child identities.
Adoption scam warning signs:
- They promise quick and easy adoption
- They require upfront fees
- They aren’t transparent about the birth parent
- They can’t show you new pictures of the child or arrange a meeting
- They pressure you to make a quick decision
Adoption scam prevention tip: Always verify the legitimacy of the adoption agency or individual through official channels, such as state licensing boards or adoption networks.
17) Business and Investment Scams
Common business and investment scams include Ponzi and pyramid schemes, as well as aggressive sales tactics. These scams often overpromise and underdeliver, luring victims with false guarantees of high returns or profits. Once you invest, purchase, or join, scammers may delay payments, fail to deliver products, make excuses, or vanish altogether.
Business and investment scam warning signs:
- They claim there’s no risk to your investment
- The person is unwilling to answer questions about the business or investment
- The scammer claims to have insider information
- The investor or their company isn’t registered with any regulatory authorities
Business and investment scam prevention tip: Always verify the legitimacy of online businesses and investment opportunities by conducting thorough research and checking for independent reviews.
18) Travel Scams
While you plan and save to pull together your dream trip, scammers are doing some planning of their own to trick you out of money on your travels. Travel scammers often start by gaining your trust, whether as a friend, travel planner, local vendor, or random stranger.
Then, they try to squeeze you for cash by overcharging for transportation, restaurant bookings, or accommodations—or selling you fake tours, tickets, or activities. Or their goal is to gather your sensitive
information.
Travel scam warning signs:
- Sellers use intense pressure tactics
- Travel planners demand personal information and high upfront fees
- Sellers request payment through hard-to-trace methods
- They offer package deals with unrealistically low prices
Travel scam prevention tip: Always book your travel directly through reputable airlines, hotels, or travel agencies to avoid online travel scams.
19) Money Transfer Scams
Scammers posing as legitimate sellers or entities may request money via wire transfers or peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, claiming it’s the easiest option due to distance or other excuses. While convenient with friends, these methods make it difficult to recover funds if you’re scammed, as wire transfers are typically irreversible, and many payment apps like Zelle offer no buyer protection.
Money transfer scam warning signs:
- You receive requests for large, one-time payments
- The person you’re speaking to prefers payment options without buyer protection
- You cannot verify the person’s identity
- They pressure you to pay quickly
Money transfer scam prevention tip: Always verify the recipient’s identity and account information before sending money, especially when dealing with unfamiliar individuals or entities. Also, don’t let sellers pressure you to turn off buyer protection on apps like Venmo that offer it.
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CO-AUTHOR BIO
Stuart Weiner has had an extensive career in healthcare compliance. He served as a compliance officer at two prestigious medical centers and at several large physician-run practices in New York City. He continues to offer his expertise to healthcare organizations on a consulting basis. In 2019, Stuart joined the Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey, where he works as an active member of the Marketing and Training Committees.
CO-AUTHOR BIO
Lynne M. Williams is the Executive Director of the Great Careers Network, a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides career development and networking connections for 1) job seekers in career transition, including veterans, and 2) employed and self-employed for career management.
Aside from writing keyword-focused content for ATS resumes and LinkedIn profiles, Lynne is writing her doctoral dissertation on LinkedIn for Job Seekers. She is a contributing author on “Applying to Positions” in Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing the Job You Love, along with the late Dick Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute?, and is also a speaker on career topics.
