Weekly Newsletter Vol. 98

The Rise of Remote Job Scams: What You Need to Know (and How to Stay Safe)

 

Weekly Newsletter Vol. 98 - July 16, 2025

Generating your Lead Story…

The Rise of Remote Job Scams:

What You Need to Know (and How to Stay Safe)

With so many people on the hunt for flexible work and more companies shifting back to in-office expectations, it’s no surprise that scammers are taking advantage of job seekers—especially those looking for remote roles.

At Recruitment Made Easy, we believe job seekers deserve to be supported—not scammed.

But the truth is, scammers are getting smarter, and some of them are even using real names and fake offers to manipulate people. I know, because it happened to me.

How My Name Was Used in a Job Scam 

A few weeks ago, several job seekers reached out to ask if I was really hiring for a specific role. The short answer? I wasn’t.

Someone used my name—yes, my real name—to trick people into applying for a job that didn’t exist. While I’m still I was targeted because I have a large following, this type of identity misuse isn’t new. It’s just one of many tactics scammers use to build trust with their victims.

So how do you protect yourself or your candidates?

Here’s what you need to know: 5 Quick Ways to Spot a Job Scam

  1. Check the Email Domain: Legit companies don’t use Gmail or strange domains. If a company says it’s hiring but the email comes from something sketchy be suspicious.

  2. Research the Company Before applying: Visit the company’s official website or LinkedIn page. Look at their careers page, check if the job is posted there, and see if the recruiter actually works there.

  3. No Legit Job Will Ask for Money: Never pay for equipment, training, or onboarding. If a job requires you to send money, it’s a scam. Always. It’s also illegal in Ontario and most of Canada.

  4. Watch for Urgency and Pressure: Scammers often say “we need you to act fast” or “you’ll miss the opportunity” where real employers will schedule interviews and invite you to the office or meet multiple partners.

  5. Avoid Strange Interview Platforms: If they ask you to interview over Discord, Telegram, or an app you’ve never heard of, that’s a red flag. Most real companies use Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. Never ever use Whatsapp to share information.

If You’ve Been Targeted If someone is using your name or your company in a scam:

  • Share a warning on LinkedIn or social to alert others.

  • If it's serious—report it to the authorities.

Stay Smart, Stay Safe. We can’t stop scammers from being scammers but we can outsmart them. The best defense is awareness. Whether you're job searching or supporting others, take the time to verify every opportunity. A few extra minutes of research can save you from losing your time, your money or worse.

And if you're ever unsure about a job offer, reach out. Our Recruitment Made Easy community is here to support and protect each other. Always.

You can’t make this stuff up

(*Disclaimer: these are real experiences provided by RME's community of job seekers and hiring managers)

A few months ago, a candidate named Maria reached out after interviewing for what seemed like a promising remote admin role. The recruiter was friendly, the offer came fast and then they asked her to buy a “company laptop” through a third-party vendor. Something felt off. Maria did a little digging and realized the email domain had only been registered days earlier. She contacted the real company being impersonated and filed a report with her local police unit. Thanks to her quick thinking and follow-up, that domain was taken offline and others were spared from the same scam. Her story is proof: Trust your gut, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to report it.”

— Matthew, Miami, Florida

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Learn more about RME

With over 13 years of industry experience and expertise, Matthew Wohl founded Recruitment Made Easy in order to provide transparency to the recruitment process, and to be the voice that "says what you're thinking" when job seekers & hiring managers are not at liberty to do so.

RME's mission is to help people grow their careers by providing a raw, relatable, and resourceful perspective on the recruitment process. We strive to create a community that will help bring change to the recruitment industry for the better.

Each week we deliver stories from everyday job seekers & hiring managers, hiring tips & our take on trending topics, recommendations for outside the office, and discounts to our favourite resources to help grow your career