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Phish Files
March 14, 2025

Too Good to Be True? The Truth About Fake Job Offers on Campus

Posted in: News

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Job hunting is part of campus life, but scammers are taking advantage by sending fake job offers. These scams can steal your personal information, money, or both. Here’s how to protect yourself.

How These Scams Work

Fake job offers often come through email, text, or social media. They might promise:

  • High Pay for Easy Work: Offers that sound too good to be true.
  • Urgency: Messages pressuring you to act quickly.
  • Requests for Personal Info: Asking for your Social Security number or bank details.
  • Unprofessional Communication: Messages with typos, vague details, or generic greetings like “Dear Applicant.”

Scammers might also send fake checks that bounce after you deposit them or ask for upfront payments for training or supplies.

Why Students Are Targeted

  1. Eager for Jobs: Many students are looking for part-time work or internships.
  2. Inexperienced: New job seekers may not recognize scams.
  3. Easy Access: Campus job boards and social media make students easy to reach.

Red Flags

Here’s what to watch for:

  • Unsolicited Offers: Be cautious of jobs you didn’t apply for.
  • Payment Requests: Legit employers won’t ask you to pay for anything.
  • Vague Details: Watch out for unclear job roles or unwillingness to provide information.
  • Unverified Contacts: Legit recruiters use company email addresses, not Gmail or Yahoo.

How to Stay Safe

  1. Research Employers: Look up the company and confirm job postings on their website.
  2. Use Campus Resources: All job offers related to campus will be available via Handshake.
  3. Protect Your Info: Don’t share personal details like Social Security numbers until after you’ve been hired.
  4. Avoid Overpayment Scams: If someone sends you a check and asks for part of the money back, it’s a scam.
  5. Report Scams: Please send any malicious emails you have received to phishfiles@montclair.edu or by clicking the Knowbe4 Phish Alert Button (PAB).

Want to Know More?

MSU Career Services | Beware of Job Scams, Protect Your Privacy, Ask Questions

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | College students are targeted with jobs scams, too

F.B.I. | FBI New Haven Warning College Students of Employment Scams

Better Business Bureau | BBB Scam Alert: Employment scams target college students