The scary side of job hunting: Ghost jobs, fake listings and AI scams
Fake job listings, some made convincing with AI, target people looking for work. Other postings are "ghost jobs" that stay online with no real opening behind them.
How it works
Scammers post fake job openings on job sites and social media, often using AI to make the listings and messages look real. The listing promises an attractive job, and the applicant is asked to hand over personal information or pay a fee to start. Separately, some employers leave postings up with no open position, which wastes applicants' time and can hide other risks.
Red flags to watch for
- Employer asks you to pay any fee or buy equipment
- Vague job description with few concrete duties
- Unusually wide salary range
- Requests for Social Security number or bank details early on
- Pressure to act fast or accept an offer immediately
What to do
Do not pay any fee, buy equipment, or send money to get a job, and do not share your Social Security number or bank details until you have verified the employer. Confirm the opening by going to the company's official website and contacting its HR department directly, not through links or phone numbers in the posting. Report suspicious listings to the job site and to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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Source: KOAA NBC5 Colorado Springs. Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.