Jobs that sound too good to be true should raise a red flag for any college student. FAKE job postings abound in unsolicited emails sent to your student account and on online job listing sites.   We’ve put together some tips to help you identify fake jobs.   You should always research the legitimacy of employers before applying.

Watch out for over payment scams, often posted as a book-keeper, personal assistant, administrative assistant, etc, to assist in processing checks or mystery/secret shoppers.  The “company” sends a check to the “assistant” (student), who is then responsible for taking their salary out of the check and wiring the remainder of the money back to the “company.”  These checks are fraudulent and can leave you out thousands of dollars and facing criminal charges.

Beware if the email or job posting:
•    does not indicate the company name
•    comes from an email address that doesn’t match the company name
•    offers to pays a large amount for almost no work
•    offers you a job without ever interacting with you
•    asks you to pay an application fee
•    wants you to transfer money from one account to another
•    offers to send you a check before you do any work
•    asks you to give your credit card or bank account numbers
•    asks for copies of personal documents
•    says you must send payment by wire service or courier
•    offers you a large payment for allowing the use of your bank account – often for depositing checks or transferring money
•    sends you an unexpectedly large check

No legitimate employer will send payment in advance and ask the employee to send a portion of it back.  DO NOT provide any personal information especially social security numbers  or financial information!

If you have concerns about the legitimacy of a job or internship posting, please contact MSU Career Services immediately:
(517) 355-9510 or careerservices@csp.msu.edu .

Individuals who believe they have information pertaining to false internet/email employment schemes are encouraged to file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.

KNOWN JOB SCAM ISSUES
Click above for more resources.

Adapted from information from the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Johns Hopkins University