Fake Job Offers: How to Recognize Recruitment Fraud and Avoid Losing Money

A message on WhatsApp from a "recruiter" offering 400 PLN a day for clicking in an app. An email from "HR of a well-known brand" asking for a scan of your ID before the interview. A check for 3,800 dollars that you are supposed to deposit and send part of back. These are not rare cases – they are three of the most common recruitment fraud schemes in recent years.

Most job offers are genuine. But scammers advertise exactly where honest employers do: on job portals, on LinkedIn, in social media, via SMS. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the USA stated it plainly: "Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do." Therefore, it is not about stopping your job search online. It is about knowing when recruitment stops looking like recruitment.

Below you will find specific scenarios, examples of messages used by scammers, and ways to verify the company and recruiter – separately for Poland and separately for the USA.

What Recruitment Fraud Looks Like Today

The old image of fraud – broken Polish, strange email address, promise of a million dollars – no longer applies. NASK in a material from June 2025 describes it bluntly: messages "once full of errors, today (...) are written correctly – using polite phrases and vocabulary similar to that in HR announcements." Added to this are logos of well-known companies and signatures of alleged recruiters.

The channel has also changed. Fraud today most often starts with an unexpected message: an SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, or a private message on a job portal. The FTC formulates the rule briefly: "Ignore generic and unexpected texts, WhatsApp, or Telegram messages about jobs. Real employers will never contact you that way."

One distinction is important here. A recruiter writing to you on LinkedIn is normal practice. The problem is not the first contact, but what happens next: does the recruitment move entirely to a messenger, is there a request for money or sensitive data before verification, and is there even a conversation with a visible face.

The Scale of the Phenomenon – What the Data Says

It is worth knowing the numbers because they show that these are not isolated stories.

Only USA: According to the FTC Data Spotlight "Paying to get paid: gamified job scams drive record losses" from December 12, 2024, reported losses in the category of fraud related to work and employment agencies amounted to: 90 million USD (2020), 131 million USD (2021), 179 million USD (2022), 286 million USD (2023), and 223 million USD in the first half of 2024 alone. The same report states that so-called task scams – "work" involving performing simple tasks in an app – grew from about 5,000 reports in all of 2023 to about 20,000 in the first half of 2024. Losses in cryptocurrencies in the category of job offers reached about 41 million USD in the first half of 2024, compared to about 21 million USD in all of 2023.

Only USA: The FBI in the report "2025 IC3 Annual Report" shows in the category of employment fraud 24,688 reports and 362,934,762 USD in losses in 2025 (for comparison: 20,044 reports and 264,223,271 USD in 2024).

Only Poland: Here the situation with data looks different. CERT Polska in the report "The Landscape of Security in the Polish Internet in 2025" provides 658,320 reports and 260,783 registered incidents, of which 253,238 are computer frauds – 97% of all handled events. However, the report does not separate the category of "fake job offers," so these numbers cannot be used to determine the scale of recruitment fraud alone. Therefore, I consciously do not provide the Polish number regarding only this phenomenon. Warnings from CERT Polska, NASK, and the Police confirm that exactly the same schemes operate along the Vistula River.

Table of Warning Signs

Warning Sign	Why It Is Suspicious	How to Check It	What to Do
Unexpected SMS or message on WhatsApp/Telegram with a job offer	Real employers do not recruit with mass messages to unknown numbers	Go to the company's website yourself and check the "Careers" section	Do not respond, do not click on the link. Only Poland: forward the SMS to number 8080
Very high salary with minimal requirements	The market does not pay 500 euros a day for clicking on a phone	Compare with salary ranges for this position on job portals	Treat as a red flag and verify everything else
Recruitment only through a messenger, without a video call	Hinders identification of the interlocutor and allows for quick disappearance	Ask for a video call with the camera on and for a company phone number	Refusal of the camera = end contact
Email from a free domain (gmail, onet) or from a domain similar to the company's	Impersonating a well-known brand starts with the address	Compare the domain letter by letter with that on the company's official site	Write to the company at the address on its site and ask if such recruitment is ongoing
Request for payment: training, certificate, background check, uniform, license, visa	Recruitment costs are borne by the employer, not the candidate	Only Poland: check the agency in the KRAZ register. Only USA: check the company in the state register and in BBB	Do not pay. It is almost always a scam
Request for a scan of ID, passport, or SSN before the interview and offer	This is a complete set of data for identity theft	Check what stage of recruitment you are at – before the offer, there is no basis for collecting such data	Refuse. Provide data only after a written offer and verification of the company
Check to deposit and request to send part of the amount back	Classic fake check scam – the check bounces after weeks	FTC: "Never bank on a 'cleared' check"	Only USA: do not deposit, do not send back. Report to FTC
Transfers through your account "because the company does not yet have an account in PL/US"	This is the role of a mule (money mule) and a real risk of criminal liability	No honest employer needs your private account for business transactions	Immediately stop, notify the bank and law enforcement
Receiving packages, repackaging, and sending them further	Reshipping – goods usually purchased with a stolen card	FTC: "Reshipping goods is never a real job"	Do not send further. Keep the packages and report
Request to purchase equipment (laptop, software) with a promise of reimbursement	Reimbursement never comes; the seller is controlled by the scammer	Ask why the company does not buy the equipment itself and send it	Do not pay by transfer, Zelle, or PayPal
Payment for likes, ratings, "boosting a product"	FTC: paying for fake reviews is illegal	Check if the company even exists and if there is a contract	Do not take it on. This is not legal work
Deposit your own money to "unlock earnings"	Definitional element of a task scam	FTC: "Never pay anyone to get paid"	Stop immediately, do not pay any further amounts
Time pressure: "decision today", "the place will be gone soon"	Aims to shut down verification	A legitimate employer gives time to read the offer	Postpone the decision for a day and check the company

Most Common Scenarios and Examples of Scammer Messages

The following messages are reconstructions of typical schemes. They do not contain real people's data, and website addresses are intentionally written in a non-clickable form.

Online Tasks, or Task Scam

It starts with simple tasks and small payouts. The FTC describes that scammers "might pay you a little – usually $5 to $20 – to try to gain your trust." Then a condition appears: to unlock the next set of tasks and withdraw "earnings," you need to deposit your own money, most often in cryptocurrency. That money is gone.

Example of a scammer message "Hello! I am Marta from HR. We are looking for people for simple online tasks – rating product photos. 2 hours a day, daily payout, 350–600 PLN. No experience required. Interested? Reply YES."

Example of a scammer message "Congratulations! Your balance in the app is 4,820 PLN. To unlock set 4 and withdraw funds, top up your account with 900 PLN. The top-up will return to you along with the commission after completing the set."

The FTC Data Spotlight also describes an additional mechanism: if the victim hesitates, "scammers will often invite you to a group chat where newcomers hear supposed success stories from (fake) experienced workers."

Fake Recruiter from a Well-Known Company

In an alert from August 8, 2023, the FTC described a scheme: contact on LinkedIn or Indeed, "official-looking invitation for a virtual interview," then a letter with an offer featuring the company's logo, and finally a request for money or data.

Example of a scammer message "Hello, I am a Senior Talent Partner. Your profile perfectly fits the role of Remote Operations Specialist. The interview will take place in the form of a chat in Microsoft Teams on Wednesday at 10:00. Please send a scan of your ID and account number beforehand – needed to generate the contract."

The red flag in this example is not just one, but three: the conversation "in the form of a chat" instead of video, a scan of ID before the interview, and an account number before the offer.

Purchasing Equipment at Your Own Expense

Example of a scammer message "Welcome to the team! We order equipment from our technical supplier. Invoice attached: 1,240 USD. Please pay via Zelle to equipment@hr-recruit-verify[.]com. The amount will be refunded in the first payment along with the welcome bonus."

The FTC states unequivocally: "honest employers will never ask you to pay upfront fees for a job or for equipment. And they won't ask you to pay them using cash, Zelle or PayPal."

Fake Check to Deposit

Only USA: this scheme is based on the fact that the bank must quickly make the funds from the deposit available, but detecting the fake takes weeks. The FTC writes: "By law, banks have to make deposited funds available quickly. Even if you see the funds in your account, that doesn't mean it's a good check." When the check bounces, you owe the bank the full amount.

Example of a scammer message "I sent a check for 3,850 USD to cover the first week and purchases for the client. Please deposit it, keep 350 USD as payment, and send the rest to our supplier via Western Union. Please send confirmation today."

Package Reshipping

The FTC lists specific job titles used in this scheme: "delivery operations specialist," "quality control manager," "virtual personal assistant." The task involves receiving packages, discarding original packaging and receipts, and sending the goods further, often abroad. The goods are usually purchased with stolen card data. FTC: "Reshipping goods is never a real job. That's simply being part of a scam."

Example of a scammer message "Your duties as a Quality Control Manager: receive packages at your home address, check the contents, remove original packaging and receipts, repackage and send on the label we will send by email. First payment after 30 days of work."

Role of a Money Mule

Only Poland: The police described this scheme using the example of a fictitious job as a "controller – logistics": the employee provides their account number and transfer limits, then receives money into their account and forwards it, keeping a commission "usually no more than 5%." The police state directly that the money comes from crimes, most often from bank account theft.

The legal basis in Poland is Article 299 § 1 of the Penal Code – money laundering, punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 8 years. Article 299 § 5 provides for a penalty of 1 to 10 years if the perpetrator acts in agreement with others. There is also Article 299 § 8: a person who voluntarily discloses to law enforcement information about individuals participating in the crime and the circumstances of its commission is not subject to punishment, "if it prevents the commission of another crime." This is not an automatic guarantee of immunity – the assessment is made by the prosecutor and the court. If you suspect you have been drawn into this, contact a lawyer or legal advisor.

Only USA: The FBI in the IC3 announcement "Money Mules: A Financial Crisis" (alert I-120321-PSA) states that individuals acting as mules "face prison sentences, a fine or community service, even if unwitting," and lists potential federal charges. The Department of Justice in its description of the Money Mule Initiative adds that responses from authorities "range from bringing prosecutions and filing civil actions to letters and interviews" – meaning not every case ends in an indictment. This is a description of the institution's position, not legal advice; in an individual case, a lawyer is needed.

Example of a scammer message "Our company is just opening an account in Poland, so the first settlements with contractors will go through employees' accounts. Please provide your account number and daily and one-time transfer limits. Commission of 4% on each operation."

Personal Assistant, Personal Shopper, Mystery Shopper

Example of a scammer message "I am looking for a personal assistant for 5 hours a week, 900 PLN. First task: buy gift cards for the team and send photos of the codes on the back of the cards. I will send the funds via transfer in advance."

A request for codes from gift cards is a signal to end the conversation. The FTC describes this variant precisely with fake checks: the victim is to buy cards and send the PINs to the "boss."

In the mystery shopper variant, the FTC adds the rule: "If you have to pay an upfront fee to become a mystery shopper, that's always a scam."

Paid Reviews and Likes

Example of a scammer message "Task: 30 five-star reviews daily on Google Maps. Rate of 4 PLN per review, payment weekly. You don't have to be a customer; we will send the content."

FTC: "Don't trust anyone who says they'll pay you to give a positive rating or like things online. No honest company will do that." In a footnote to the Data Spotlight from December 2024, the FTC refers to its own regulation prohibiting fake reviews and recommendations.

Upfront Fees

Example of a scammer message "A condition for signing the contract is paying for mandatory online health and safety training (349 PLN) and verification of no criminal record (199 PLN). We will refund the costs in the first payment."

Only Poland: this is not only a red flag but also a potential violation of the law. According to Article 321 § 1 point 1 of the Act of March 20, 2025, on the labor market and employment services (Journal of Laws 2025 item 620), an employment agency cannot charge a person for whom it is seeking employment amounts other than those specified in Article 338 § 3 point 16. And this provision allows only for actual costs incurred related to sending someone to work abroad: travel to and from the designated person, issuance of a visa, medical examinations, and translation of documents. For charging additional fees, Article 362 § 3 of this Act provides for a fine from 3,000 PLN to 30,000 PLN, and for running an agency without registration – a fine from 3,000 PLN to 100,000 PLN.

Only USA: the FTC formulates the same in general terms: "Honest placement firms do not typically charge a fee to job candidates. Instead, the hiring company pays them a fee to find qualified candidates." And regarding jobs in federal administration and the postal service: "it's always free to apply for a federal or postal job."

Offers via SMS and "reply YES"

In an alert from April 30, 2026, the FTC described a newer variant: instead of a link, the message asks for a reply with the word "YES" or "INTERESTED" to bypass filters.

Example of a scammer message "Your CV has been accepted. Position: online assessor. 180 USD a day, remote work. Reply YES, and we will forward you to the recruitment manager."

Job Offers Linked to Cryptocurrencies

The FBI in the IC3 announcement from June 4, 2024 (alert I-060424-PSA) lists as warning signs, among others: "You are directed to make cryptocurrency payments to your employer as part of a job" and "The job description uses the term 'optimization' and involves relatively simple tasks."

Example of a scammer message "We process payments in USDT – it's faster than a bank transfer. Set up a wallet, send us the address. A security deposit of 200 USDT is refunded after the first month."

Fake Recruiter Profiles

A profile with a logo of a well-known company, a photo taken from the internet, and a written employment history costs a scammer fifteen minutes. You cannot assess anything by the appearance of the profile alone. You will assess it by whether the ad exists on the company's official site and whether HR confirms the recruitment at a number you find yourself.

Example of a scammer message "I am writing on behalf of the recruitment department. Our candidate portal: kariera-weryfikacja[.]net. Please create an account with the same password as your email to make logging in easier."

A request to use the same password as your email is an attempt to take over the inbox, not recruitment.

How to Check a Company and Recruiter

Only Poland

• KRS – search engine of the Court Register Portal: https://prs.ms.gov.pl/krs. Check if the company exists, who represents it, and what its address is.
• CEIDG – for sole proprietorships: https://www.ceidg.gov.pl/.
• White VAT List – tool of the Ministry of Finance: https://www.podatki.gov.pl/narzedzia/white-list. Allows you to check VAT status and bank accounts reported by the company. If the "employer" asks you to transfer money to an account not listed, that is a warning sign.
• KRAZ – National Register of Employment Agencies: https://stor.praca.gov.pl/portal/#/kraz. A job placement or temporary work agency must be registered.
• Public Warnings List of KNF – https://www.knf.gov.pl/dla_konsumenta/ostrzezenia_publiczne. Useful when the "job" has an investment element. Note: the absence of an entity on the list does not mean that the entity is reliable.

Only USA

• State Register (Secretary of State) – each state maintains its own business entity search engine. Starting point: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business.
• BBB – company profile: https://www.bbb.org/search; reports from other people: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker.
• Government and Postal Offers – only https://www.usajobs.gov/. You never pay to apply.

Regardless of Country

1. Find the ad on the company's website. Not through a link from the message – type the company's name into a search engine, go to its website, and look for the "Careers" section. If the ad is not there, ask HR.
2. Check the email domain letter by letter. FTC: "Recruiters will generally email from a corporate email account, not from a personal email like @gmail.com or @yahoo.com." Watch out for typos and swapped endings – .net instead of .pl, a hyphen inserted in the middle of the name.
3. Call the number you found yourself on the company's website, never the one from the message.
4. Request a video call with the camera on. BBB in the report "Employment scams 2026 update" lists refusal to turn on the camera as one of the warning signs.
5. Search the company's name with the addition of "scam," "reviews," "fraud." This is FTC's advice. The absence of complaints does not guarantee anything, but their presence can be decisive.

When an Employer Really Needs SSN and Account Number

Only USA. This is the most common area of abuse against immigrants, so it is worth knowing the order.

Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification). USCIS states: the employee fills out and signs Section 1 no later than the first day of work, but "may complete Section 1 any time after they accept the job offer." The employer fills out Section 2 within 3 business days from the date of employment. Practical conclusion: there is no legal I-9 before accepting a job offer.

Is SSN mandatory on I-9? USCIS lists the SSN number in Section 1 as an optional field, with one exception: "Employees must provide their Social Security number if you participate in E-Verify." And further: "If you do not participate in E-Verify, employees are not required to enter their Social Security number."

Who chooses the documents? The employee. USCIS on the employee rights page states that the employer must "allow you the choice of what documentation to provide. For example, your employer cannot ask you for a U.S. passport or a Green Card." The employer cannot also require documents confirming the right to work before employment or keep your originals – they must return them. The Department of Justice calls violations of this rule "unfair documentary practices" and cites the basis: 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(6).

Form W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate). It is filled out upon employment and given to the employer, not to the IRS. The SSN number is a required field here (Step 1(b)).

Direct deposit. For payment to an account, the employer needs the account number and routing number. They do not need your online banking login and password, card number, or PIN – and this is the boundary, beyond which the conversation stops being about payment. It is also worth knowing that you have a choice of payment method: the CFPB states directly that the employer cannot require you to receive your salary on a specific payroll card and must offer at least one alternative. The basis is 12 CFR § 1005.10(e)(2) – prohibition of making employment conditional on opening an account at a specific institution.

The order that looks normal: application and CV → interview (preferably video) → written offer → only then I-9, W-4, transfer data, possibly background check paid by the employer.

Section for Polish Immigrants in the USA

Those who have recently arrived are a particular target. The FBI in its announcement about money mules lists among target groups "the elderly, college-aged students, and newly immigrated individuals." The reason is simple: less familiarity with procedures and greater pressure to start earning quickly.

Promise of visa sponsorship for a fee. USCIS warns: "If you receive a suspicious job offer by email before you leave your country to come to the United States, it may be a scam, especially if you are asked to pay money to receive a job offer." In visa programs, regulations go further than a warning. In the H-2B program, regulation 20 CFR § 655.20(o) obliges the employer to comply with "the prohibitions against employees paying fees" – the employee does not pay for certification, application, recruitment, or the employer's attorney fees. In the H-1B program, regulation 20 CFR § 655.731(c)(10)(ii) states that "The employer may not receive, and the H-1B nonimmigrant may not pay, any part of" an additional fee for the application.

"Notario" and fake lawyers. USCIS states: "A notario público is not authorized to provide you with any legal services related to immigration. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ)-recognized organization can give you legal advice." In many countries, "notario" means a lawyer – in the USA, it does not.

Documents stay with you. Recommendation from DHS quoted by USCIS: "Keep your passport and other identity documents in your possession at all times." An employer who wants to "keep" your passport is not acting according to the rules.

Cash work without SSN. This is a separate topic and a separate risk – not only the lack of insurance and earnings history in SSA but also a real field for wage abuse. It does not automatically mean recruitment fraud, but it removes most safeguards that you could otherwise rely on.

Where to call when an employer requests specific documents due to your status. The Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) in the Department of Justice operates a Worker Hotline: 1-800-255-7688, available Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The IER website states: "Callers can remain anonymous and language interpretation services are available." A formal complaint must be filed within 180 days of the incident. The complaint form is not available in Polish, but translation is available on the hotline.

If you suspect someone has used your SSN, start at https://www.identitytheft.gov/.

What to Do Immediately

The order depends on what has already happened.

You sent a photo of your ID, passport, or residence card

1. Cut off contact. Do not "explain" or ask for a return – it does not work.
2. Only Poland: block your PESEL number – https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zastrzez-swoj-numer-pesel-lub-cofnij-zastrzezenie. The service is free, available online and at the municipal office.
3. Only USA: go to https://www.identitytheft.gov/ and follow the recovery plan. Consider freezing your credit report at the three bureaus.
4. Keep everything: messages, numbers, profile names, website addresses, transfer confirmations. This is material for the bank and law enforcement.

You deposited a check and sent part of the amount back (Only USA)

1. Call your bank, tell them you suspect a fake check scam, and ask about the status of the deposit. Do not assume the funds are yours.
2. If you sent money via transfer, report it to the money transfer company. The FTC provides contacts: MoneyGram 1-800-666-3947, Western Union 1-800-325-6000, and for postal transfers, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. The FTC warns that reversing the transfer is unlikely, but you must request it.
3. Report the case at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Do not assume that the bank will refund your money. With a fake check, it is usually the customer who returns the entire amount to the bank.

You transferred money or funneled it through your account

1. Immediately call the bank – the sooner, the greater the chance of stopping the funds.
2. Stop making any further transfers, even if the "employer" threatens or promises reimbursement.
3. Only Poland: notify the Police or prosecutor's office. Information on reporting a crime: https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zglos-przestepstwo.
4. Only USA: report at https://complaint.ic3.gov/ and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
5. If you may have unknowingly participated in the transfer of someone else's money, consult a lawyer before making explanations.

You received packages and are supposed to send them further

1. Do not send. Do not remove labels or receipts.
2. Take photos of the packages, labels, and correspondence.
3. Only USA: report at https://www.uspis.gov/report and at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
4. Only Poland: report to the Police and keep the shipments available for the officers.

You clicked on a link and provided your password

Change your password immediately – first for your email, then everywhere else where it was the same – and enable two-factor authentication. If someone has managed to take over your inbox, a separate account recovery procedure is needed.

Most Common Mistakes

• Treating a professional appearance as evidence. Logos, PDFs with offers, and the signature "Senior Talent Partner" are free.
• Verifying the company by the number from the message. The scammer answers their own phone and confirms their own story.
• Assuming that since the money is in the account, it is yours. With a check, this is not true.
• Paying extra to "recover" what has already been paid. This is exactly the moment scammers are counting on.
• Shame and silence. An unreported case does not disappear; it only stops existing in statistics and proceedings.
• Using "cryptocurrency recovery firms." The FBI in the IC3 announcement from June 2024 warns against paying for such services.
• Providing SSN or account number "for preliminary verification." At this stage, there is nothing to verify.

Myths and Facts

Myth: If the company really exists and has a website, the offer is genuine. Fact: Impersonating existing companies is a standard part of the scheme. The FTC described this as a separate phenomenon as early as 2023. Check not the company, but the specific ad and specific contact.

Myth: A recruitment interview via chat is standard practice in remote work. Fact: Remote recruitment takes place via video. A consistent refusal to turn on the camera is a warning sign mentioned by the BBB.

Myth: The bank will always refund the money if it was a scam. Fact: It depends on the payment method and circumstances. With a fake check, the FTC describes the opposite situation: it is the customer who returns the amount of the check to the bank.

Myth: An unwitting mule bears no consequences. Fact: The FBI states in the IC3 announcement that these individuals "face prison sentences, a fine or community service, even if unwitting." In Poland, Article 299 § 8 of the Penal Code provides for immunity from punishment upon voluntary disclosure meeting statutory conditions – but the assessment is up to the prosecutor and the court.

Myth: Since I received the first payment, the job is real. Fact: Small payments are part of the scheme. The FTC provides a typical range of 5–20 USD as a way to build trust.

Myth: Every offer from a messenger is a scam. Fact: Not every one – it happens that a recruiter you have already spoken to moves contact to WhatsApp. However, it is almost always a scam if it is an unexpected message from an unknown number with a generic offer and a high rate.

Where to Report Fraud or Incident

Only Poland

• CERT Polska – suspicious website, email, or SMS: form https://incydent.cert.pl/. A suspicious SMS can be forwarded (using the "Forward" function) to the free number 8080. Limit: a maximum of 3 messages from one number within 4 hours. A report can also be sent through the "Safe in the Network" service in the mObywatel app.
• Police / prosecutor's office – notification of suspicion of a crime. Instructions on gov.pl: https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zglos-przestepstwo. Reporting is free and can be submitted in person at any Police unit or prosecutor's office, in writing or anonymously.
• Blocking your PESEL number – https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zastrzez-swoj-numer-pesel-lub-cofnij-zastrzezenie.
• KNF – if the "job" has an investment character: https://www.knf.gov.pl/dla_konsumenta/ostrzezenia_publiczne.
• UOKiK – https://uokik.gov.pl/ regarding practices violating collective consumer interests.

Only USA

• FTC – https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. Language support: (877) 382-4357, option 3 to request an interpreter.
• FBI IC3 – https://complaint.ic3.gov/.
• Identity Theft – https://www.identitytheft.gov/.
• Packages and Postal Transfers – U.S. Postal Inspection Service: https://www.uspis.gov/report, phone 877-876-2455.
• Discrimination in Document Verification – IER Worker Hotline: 1-800-255-7688.
• BBB Scam Tracker – https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/reportscam.
• State Attorney General – FTC indicates this as an additional recipient of the report.

Platforms

Report the ad and profile also where you saw them. LinkedIn maintains a page on recognizing and reporting scams (https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1336387/recognize-and-report-scams), and Indeed publishes guidelines for safe job searching (https://www.indeed.com/help/job-seekers/articles/216354123-guidelines-for-a-safe-job-search). Reporting does not return money, but it usually shortens the life of the ad.

Key Rules

1. You do not pay for work. No training, certificate, uniform, license, or "verification" is a cost to the candidate.
2. Never deposit your own money to unlock earnings.
3. Unexpected SMS or message on a messenger with a generic offer and high rate – ignore.
4. Recruitment without a conversation with a visible face is not recruitment.
5. Do not deposit a check from an unknown person and do not send back any part of it.
6. Your private account is never used for business transfers.
7. Reshipping packages for an "employer" is not work.
8. Sensitive data is provided after a written offer, not before the interview.
9. Verify the company in the register and at a number you found yourself.
10. If you have already lost money – report it. Silence protects no one.

Checklist

Before sending any data or money, check off everything below:

• I found the same ad on the company's official website.
• The recruiter's email domain matches the company's domain letter by letter.
• I called the number I found myself and confirmed the recruitment.
• The company exists in the register (KRS/CEIDG in Poland, state register in the USA).
• Only Poland: the agency is registered in KRAZ.
• I had a video call with the camera on.
• No one asked me for any payment.
• No one asked me to purchase equipment or gift cards.
• I am not to receive or send packages.
• My account is not used to receive and transfer someone else's money.
• I received a written offer before being asked for documents.
• Only USA: I-9 appeared only after accepting the offer.
• Only USA: I was asked for the account and routing number, not for online banking login.
• The terms, rate, and form of employment are in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every offer from WhatsApp or Telegram a scam?

An unexpected message from an unknown number with a generic offer and high rate – almost always. The situation is different when a recruiter you have already spoken to through an official channel moves contact to a messenger.

The recruiter wants a scan of my ID before the interview. Is this normal?

No. Identity documents appear at the employment stage, not qualification. Only USA: USCIS confirms that Form I-9 is filled out only after accepting the offer.

Can an employer in the USA require me to provide a Green Card instead of another document?

No. USCIS states that the employer must allow the employee to choose documents from the I-9 list and cannot specifically require a U.S. passport or Green Card.

Do I have to provide my SSN on I-9?

Only USA: according to USCIS, the SSN field in Section 1 is optional unless the employer uses E-Verify – then it is required. On Form W-4, the SSN number is required.

I deposited a check, and the bank showed the funds. Does that mean the check is good?

No. The FTC states that the bank must quickly make funds available, and detecting a fake can take weeks. Then the customer returns the amount.

Will I get my money back?

This cannot be promised. The chances depend on the payment method and how quickly you react. Instant transfers and cryptocurrencies are the hardest to stop. It is always worth reporting the case to the bank and law enforcement immediately.

I funneled someone else's money through my account without knowing where it came from. What now?

Stop all transfers, secure correspondence, notify the bank, and consult a lawyer. Only Poland: Article 299 § 8 of the Penal Code provides for immunity from punishment upon voluntary disclosure meeting statutory conditions – but the assessment is up to the prosecutor and the court.

Can I report fraud anonymously?

Only USA: IER states that callers to the Worker Hotline can remain anonymous. In the case of reporting a crime, anonymity usually complicates the case.

I found an ad on a large job portal. Does that mean it is verified?

Not fully. Portals filter content, but the FTC emphasizes that scammers advertise exactly where honest employers do.

Is "cash work" in the USA a scam?

By itself – no, it is a separate issue. But it removes most safeguards: lack of earnings confirmation, lack of history in SSA, and more difficult claims.

Sources

All sources verified on July 26, 2026.

American Sources

1. Federal Trade Commission – "Job Scams" – https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams – access date: 2026-07-26 – FTC's main page on recruitment fraud: reshipping, mystery shopper, recruitment fees, fake checks.
2. Federal Trade Commission – "How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams" – https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams – access date: 2026-07-26 – mechanics of fake checks and contacts for money transfer companies.
3. Federal Trade Commission – "How to spot and avoid task scams" (14.08.2025) – https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/how-spot-avoid-task-scams – access date: 2026-07-26 – description of task scams and three defense rules.
4. Federal Trade Commission – "Paying to get paid: gamified job scams drive record losses" (Data Spotlight, 12.12.2024) – https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2024/12/paying-get-paid-gamified-job-scams-drive-record-losses – access date: 2026-07-26 – numerical data on losses and methodology.
5. Federal Trade Commission – "Scammers impersonate well-known companies, recruit for fake jobs on LinkedIn and other job platforms" (08.08.2023) – https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/scammers-impersonate-well-known-companies-recruit-fake-jobs-linkedin-other-job-platforms – access date: 2026-07-26 – scheme of a fake recruiter and equipment purchase.
6. Federal Trade Commission – "Can you unbox the signs of a reshipping scam?" (03.12.2025) – https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/12/can-you-unbox-signs-reshipping-scam – access date: 2026-07-26 – names of fictitious positions and reporting path.
7. Federal Trade Commission – "That job offer text is probably a scam" (30.04.2026) – https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/job-offer-text-probably-scam – access date: 2026-07-26 – SMS variant asking for a reply "YES."
8. Federal Trade Commission – "Scams Against Immigrants" – https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/scams-against-immigrants – access date: 2026-07-26 – multilingual materials and number with interpreter support.
9. Federal Trade Commission – ReportFraud.ftc.gov – https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – fraud reporting portal.
10. Federal Trade Commission – IdentityTheft.gov – https://www.identitytheft.gov/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – identity theft reporting and recovery plan.
11. FBI / Internet Crime Complaint Center – "Scammers Defraud Individuals via Work-From-Home Scams", alert I-060424-PSA (04.06.2024) – https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240604 – access date: 2026-07-26 – warning signs of task scams and payments in cryptocurrencies.
12. FBI / Internet Crime Complaint Center – "Money Mules: A Financial Crisis", alert I-120321-PSA (03.12.2021) – https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2021/PSA211203 – access date: 2026-07-26 – definition and consequences of the role of a mule.
13. FBI / Internet Crime Complaint Center – "2025 IC3 Annual Report" – https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2025_IC3Report.pdf – access date: 2026-07-26 – data on employment fraud for 2025.
14. FBI / Internet Crime Complaint Center – reporting form – https://complaint.ic3.gov/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – reporting internet crime in the USA.
15. U.S. Department of Justice – "Money Mule Initiative" – https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/money-mule-initiative – access date: 2026-07-26 – DOJ's position on individuals transferring someone else's funds.
16. U.S. Department of Justice, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section – "IER Hotline" – https://www.justice.gov/crt/immigrant-and-employee-rights-section-hotline – access date: 2026-07-26 – hotline for employees and scope of assistance.
17. U.S. Department of Justice, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section – "Types Of Discrimination" – https://www.justice.gov/crt/types-discrimination – access date: 2026-07-26 – definition of "unfair documentary practices" and basis 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(6).
18. USCIS – "Completing Section 1, Employee Information and Attestation" – https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/completing-form-i-9/completing-section-1-employee-information-and-attestation – access date: 2026-07-26 – deadlines for completing I-9 and status of the SSN field.
19. USCIS – "Employee Rights" (I-9 Central) – https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/employee-rights-and-resources/employee-rights – access date: 2026-07-26 – employee's right to choose documents.
20. USCIS – "Form I-9 Acceptable Documents" – https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents – access date: 2026-07-26 – lists of documents A, B, and C.
21. USCIS – "Common Scams" – https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams – access date: 2026-07-26 – scams with job offers, notario, payments.
22. USCIS – "Avoid Scams" – https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams – access date: 2026-07-26 – who can provide immigration advice and where to report abuses.
23. IRS – "About Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate" – https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4 – access date: 2026-07-26 – what W-4 is and who it is submitted to.
24. eCFR – 20 CFR § 655.20 (obligations of H-2B employers) – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-V/part-655/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRae36799c508ea0f/section-655.20 – access date: 2026-07-26 – prohibition of charging fees to employees.
25. eCFR – 20 CFR § 655.731 (H-1B compensation) – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-V/part-655/subpart-H/section-655.731 – access date: 2026-07-26 – prohibition of passing employer costs onto the employee.
26. eCFR – 12 CFR § 1005.10 (Regulation E) – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1005/subpart-A/section-1005.10 – access date: 2026-07-26 – prohibition of making employment conditional on an account at a specific institution.
27. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – "If my employer offers me a payroll card, do I have to accept it?" – https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/if-my-employer-offers-me-a-payroll-card-do-i-have-to-accept-it-en-407/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – the right to choose the form of salary payment.
28. U.S. Postal Inspection Service – "Work-From-Home Scams and Reshipping Schemes" – https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/work-from-home-scams-and-reshipping-schemes-2 – access date: 2026-07-26 – schemes with shipments and "envelope packing."
29. U.S. Postal Inspection Service – "Report a crime" – https://www.uspis.gov/report – access date: 2026-07-26 – reporting postal-related abuse.
30. Better Business Bureau – "Employment scams 2026 update" – https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/jobscams/employment-scams-2026-update – access date: 2026-07-26 – current warning signs, including refusal to turn on the camera.
31. Better Business Bureau – BBB Scam Tracker – https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker – access date: 2026-07-26 – database of reports and reporting form.
32. U.S. Small Business Administration – "Register your business" – https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business – access date: 2026-07-26 – starting point for state registers.
33. USAJOBS – https://www.usajobs.gov/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – official job offer service in the U.S. federal administration.

Polish Sources

1. CERT Polska – main page and reporting channels – https://cert.pl/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – incident response team and address of the reporting portal.
2. CERT Polska – incident reporting form – https://incydent.cert.pl/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – reporting phishing, fake sites, and messages.
3. Ministry of Digitization / gov.pl – "Did you receive a disturbing SMS or email? Report it to CERT Polska (CSIRT NASK)" – https://www.gov.pl/web/baza-wiedzy/dostales-niepokojacy-sms-albo-email-zglos-go-do-cert-polska-csirt-nask – access date: 2026-07-26 – rules for using the number 8080 and reporting limits.
4. Ministry of Digitization / gov.pl – "Safe in the Network – a new service to combat cyber threats available in mObywatel" – https://www.gov.pl/web/baza-wiedzy/bezpiecznie-w-sieci--nowa-usluga-do-walki-z-cyberzagrozeniami-dostepna-w-mobywatelu – access date: 2026-07-26 – reporting incidents through the mObywatel app.
5. NASK – "Fake job offers online. How not to get scammed?" (25.06.2025) – https://www.nask.pl/aktualnosci/falszywe-oferty-pracy-online-jak-nie-dac-sie-oszukac – access date: 2026-07-26 – mechanism of fraud on messengers and five rules of caution.
6. Police – "Be careful, looking for a job you may facilitate money laundering" (17.01.2014) – https://www.policja.pl/pol/aktualnosci/94290,Uwazaj-szukajac-pracy-mozesz-posredniczyc-w-praniu-brudnych-pieniedzy.html – access date: 2026-07-26 – description of the money mule scheme and legal basis from Article 299 of the Penal Code. 39a. Municipal Police Headquarters in Tychy – "Fake job offers – beware of scammers!" (30.05.2024) – https://tychy.policja.gov.pl/k27/prewencja/dla-internautow/386803,Falszywe-oferty-pracy-uwazaj-na-oszustow.html – access date: 2026-07-26 – newer police warning: remote work, contact via WhatsApp, cryptocurrencies. 39b. CERT Polska – "The Landscape of Security in the Polish Internet in 2025" (annual report) – https://cert.pl/uploads/docs/Raport_CP_2025.pdf – access date: 2026-07-26 – statistics on reports and incidents and description of reporting channels, including number 8080. 39c. CERT Polska – "Don't become a 'mule'!" (28.02.2012) – https://cert.pl/posts/2012/02/nie-zostan-slupem/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – early warning from CERT about recruiting mules through job offers.
7. Chancellery of the Sejm / ISAP – Act of June 6, 1997, Penal Code, consolidated text Journal of Laws 2025 item 383 – https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2025/383/text.pdf – access date: 2026-07-26 – wording of Article 299 of the Penal Code (money laundering).
8. Chancellery of the Sejm / ISAP – Act of March 20, 2025, on the labor market and employment services, Journal of Laws 2025 item 620 – https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2025/620/text.pdf – access date: 2026-07-26 – Articles 321, 338, and 362 regarding fees charged by employment agencies.
9. Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy – "Register of Employment Agencies" – https://psz.praca.gov.pl/rynek-pracy/bazy-danych/rejestr-agencji-zatrudnienia – access date: 2026-07-26 – information about the KRAZ register.
10. Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy – KRAZ search engine – https://stor.praca.gov.pl/portal/#/kraz – access date: 2026-07-26 – checking the registration of the employment agency.
11. Ministry of Justice – Court Register Portal, KRS search engine – https://prs.ms.gov.pl/krs – access date: 2026-07-26 – verification of companies.
12. Ministry of Development and Technology – CEIDG – https://www.ceidg.gov.pl/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – verification of sole proprietorships.
13. Ministry of Finance – VAT taxpayers list (white list) – https://www.podatki.gov.pl/narzedzia/white-list – access date: 2026-07-26 – checking the VAT status and bank accounts of the company.
14. Financial Supervision Authority – Public Warnings List of KNF – https://www.knf.gov.pl/dla_konsumenta/ostrzezenia_publiczne – access date: 2026-07-26 – notifications of suspected crime submitted by KNF.
15. Ministry of Digitization / gov.pl – "Block your PESEL number or reverse the blocking" – https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zastrzez-swoj-numer-pesel-lub-cofnij-zastrzezenie – access date: 2026-07-26 – free service for blocking the PESEL number.
16. gov.pl – "Report a crime" – https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zglos-przestepstwo – access date: 2026-07-26 – how to file a notification of suspicion of a crime.
17. UOKiK – https://uokik.gov.pl/ – access date: 2026-07-26 – protection of collective consumer interests.

Platform Materials

1. LinkedIn – "Recognize and report scams" – https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1336387/recognize-and-report-scams – access date: 2026-07-26 – reporting fake profiles and ads.
2. Indeed – "Guidelines for a Safe Job Search" – https://www.indeed.com/help/job-seekers/articles/216354123-guidelines-for-a-safe-job-search – access date: 2026-07-26 – rules for safe job searching on the portal.
3. Pracuj.pl – "Safety of offers on Pracuj.pl – how to search for a job without fear?" – https://porady.pracuj.pl/praca/bezpieczenstwo-ofert-pracy-na-co-zwrocic-uwage – access date: 2026-07-26 – verification of ads on the portal's side.