Remote work has become more common than ever, offering flexibility and convenience for job seekers. But with this shift, scammers have found new ways to take advantage of workers by posing as legitimate companies and offering fake employment opportunities. The Oklahoma Department of Labor wants to help you recognize and avoid these scams before you lose your time, money, or personal information.
🔎 Common Work-From-Home Scams to Watch For
Scammers use different tactics to trick job seekers. Here are some of the most common schemes:
âš Repackaging Fraud
You’re hired to receive, repackage, and ship products from home. The company seems real—until payday never comes. By the time you realize the company is fake, they’ve disappeared, leaving you unpaid and possibly involved in fraudulent activity.
âš Fake Paychecks
A scam employer sends you a check for more than you’re owed and asks you to return the excess amount before cashing it. Once you send the money back, the check bounces, and you’re left with nothing.
âš Recruitment Schemes
Some scammers claim you can earn money by recruiting others to the job. They may ask you to pay for access or training materials, promising reimbursement that never comes.
âš Pay-for-Training Scams
Legitimate jobs provide on-the-job training, but scammers will demand high fees for training programs, certifications, or software, with promises of a high-paying job that never materializes.
âš Medical Billing Scams
Medical billing from home can be legitimate, but some scammers exploit job seekers by requiring them to purchase expensive equipment or software upfront, claiming they’ll be reimbursed later. That reimbursement never comes, and the job doesn’t exist.
đź’ˇ How to Protect Yourself from Employment Scams
Protect yourself from fraud with these key steps:
✔ Verify the company – Research employers before accepting a job offer. Check their website, LinkedIn, and online reviews. If you can’t verify their legitimacy, it’s a red flag.
✔ Never pay upfront – A real employer will never ask for money before you start working.
✔ Be cautious of “too good to be true” offers – High pay for little work is often a scam.
✔ Check for warning signs – Poor grammar, vague job descriptions, and high-pressure tactics are common scam indicators.
✔ Trust your instincts – If something feels off, walk away.
📢 Report Work-From-Home Scams
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a job scam, report it immediately:
đź“Ś Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov
đź“Ś Better Business Bureau (BBB): www.bbb.org/scamtracker
📌 Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office: www.oag.ok.gov
📌 FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov
The Oklahoma Department of Labor is committed to protecting workers from fraud. If you're searching for remote work, investigate potential employers carefully and help spread awareness by sharing this information with others.
Stay informed, stay safe, and don’t let scammers take advantage of your hard work!
