The Washington Post Jobs team is concerned about the safety and security of all our users. We take a number of steps to try to ensure that only legitimate employers post openings on our site and that our users have a positive job search experience. However, no site can guarantee absolute security, and it is therefore important for users to be aware of potential scams, risks, and other problems that may arise in connection with an online job search.

Find out more about the types of job scams and what you can do to avoid them at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Types of Scams

Work From Home Scams

The fraudulent employer claims anyone can work from the comfort of their own home and earn a significant amount of money with no skills or experience needed.

Check | Payment Processing | Collections Scams

These scams will often include instructions to collect and deposit funds from the fraudulent company’s "clients" and then transfer money back into a third party bank account.

Shipping Scams

These fake positions require the job seeker to receive packages of goods, such as Electronics and other items, and then re-ship the packages to another location, often overseas.

Mystery Shopper Scams

The fraudulent employer claims the job seeker will be paid handsomely to shop at a variety of reputable companies. Typically these jobs will require a fee for information or certification prior to employment.

Common Job Titles

Personal Assistant | Administrative Assistant | Accounts Receivable

Be cautious when applying to jobs that have very generic titles without additional information about the potential employer. These generic types of listings can be good cover ups for fraudulent activity because the descriptions can be vague, yet look professional.