Avoiding Employement Scams

Employment scams are on the rise, and it is important for you to evaluate opportunities with a critical eye to protect yourself and your personal information. While most employers who post jobs and internships are legitimate, there are also some scammers out there preying upon job seekers. It is important to pay attention to postings and do research before applying.

Westminster University endeavors to vet internship and job postings and employers who request permission to recruit our students and alumni through official channels (e.g. Handshake). Occasionally, employment scams occur. Students should be cautious and are urged to help identify scams.

Fraudulent opportunities may also be offered to the Westminster University community through non-official channels, such as direct emails for outside job listings, on LinkedIn, etc.

How to Tell If a Job Is a Scam?

Here are some good indicators that the job is more than likely a scam:

  • The contact email address contains the domain @live.com or a domain that is not affiliated with the organization. Examples: @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or @hotmail.com. If this is the case, then verify that the email address matches what is found on the organization’s website.
  • You receive an unsolicited email that is not specifically directed to you. Spammers/scammers can obtain student emails fairly easily. If the unsolicited email references a referral from your career center or a campus contact, contact your career center to verify the employer.
  • You are asked to give your credit card or bank account numbers or copies of personal documents, but you get nothing in writing.
  • You are asked to send a payment by wire service or courier.
  • You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for the use of your bank account, often for depositing checks or transferring money.
  • You receive an unexpectedly large check. This is the biggest and most costly scam. If you receive a check in the postal mail from an employer, DO NOT cash it or pursue the offer. Please turn everything in to the local police department. The check may look real, but it is not. You will be responsible for the entire amount of the check, plus any fees incurred by the bank when they process it and discover that the check is fraudulent.
  • A supervisor is not available to interview you, or you receive an offer for a job you haven’t applied for.
  • Once you’re selected for a position a legitimate employer will need you to complete tax documents (I9, W4, etc.) so they can pay you and set themselves and you up correctly to pay taxes. If someone is offering to pay you without officially hiring you, this should be a red flag.
  • The email or offer letter contains poor grammar or mistakes. Additionally, a formal offer letter typically includes some legal language, to protect the employer and the employee. If the letter is missing this, you should ask additional questions.
  • The role you are being hired for at the organization sounds vague or there is language in the offer letter making great promises about the future success of the company.
  • You find an opportunity that sounds too good to be true (e.g. a large salary or payment for little work). Stop and make sure none of the items listed above hold true before pursuing.

Note: The recommendations contained here do not constitute legal advice and are not an exhaustive list. For additional information visit the following resources:

Interview Scams

  • You are offered an interview in a personal residence. Interviews should take place in a public place (a business, a coffee shop, etc.).
  • Make sure someone knows of your plans to interview and the location.
  • If your instincts tell you it’s suspicious, it probably is.
  • Do not feel pressured to give personally identifiable information in an application if you are not comfortable during an interview.

What to Do If You You've Been Scammed

  • Immediately contact the Dean of Students Office (801) 832-2230 to file an incident report.
  • Contact the local police. The police are responsible for conducting an investigation (regardless of whether the scam artist is local or in another state).
  • If you have sent money to a fraudulent employer, you should contact your bank and/or credit card company immediately to close the account and dispute the charges.
  • If the incident occurred completely over the internet, you should file an incident report with the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

How to Report Suspicious Postings, Employers, or Communications

As with any online platform, use your discretion and best judgment when evaluating opportunities. When in doubt, please contact the Westminster University Career Center by phone (801.832.2590) or email (careercenter@westminsteru.edu) to report suspicious opportunities.