How can I check whether a job offer is real?

Fake job offers may copy a real company's name or use a title that sounds believable. The important question is whether the offer can be confirmed through the employer's official hiring process.

Check the employer separately

Find the company's official website yourself and look for the job posting. Contact the company through a number or email listed there, not through information in the offer.

A message from a personal account, a text-only interview, or pressure to accept immediately should lead to more checking.

Do not pay to get paid

Be careful if the employer sends a check and tells you to buy equipment, return extra money, or send funds to a vendor. A deposited check can appear in an account before the bank determines that it is fake.

Avoid jobs that require cryptocurrency deposits, gift cards, or payment for training before the role can be verified.

Protect hiring information

Real employers may eventually need tax and identity information, but timing and method matter. Do not send sensitive documents to an unverified recruiter or through an unfamiliar link.

If you shared financial information, contact the affected bank or service through its official route and review the FTC's recovery guidance.

The main idea

You do not need to investigate the sender yourself. Pause, verify the claim through a contact route you find independently, and use official help if money or information may be at risk.