12 Tips for Recognizing Remote Job Red Flags and Finding Legit Remote Jobs

Updated September 2023

In recent years, the surge in remote work has significantly transformed the job market landscape. As this work-from-home culture becomes more mainstream, it has curtailed many work-at-home scams, but it can still be tricky to find legit remote jobs. However, some potential pitfalls and misleading offers still lurk in the shadows. Recognizing the warning signs and distinguishing genuine opportunities from the deceptive ones is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into 12 essential tips to help jobseekers spot remote job red flags and successfully navigate the path to securing legit remote jobs.

Remote Job Red Flags

Scammers have sneaky ways of pretending to be legitimate companies with lucrative opportunities. Unfortunately, such opportunities usually end up being ploys to access your personal information or steal money. Protect yourself as you search for telecommute jobs by looking out for these common red flags.

1. Requests for Personal Information Upfront

During an online application process, employers may ask for personal information such as your full name, phone number, current address, and graduation dates. They may even present the option to specify your race, disability, and military or veteran status for equal employment opportunity purposes. However, employers should never ask you for your social security number, checking account number, or driver’s license number.

Such personal information is not necessary during the application process but is often required for hire. Stay far away from job posts that request social security numbers or similar information, as they could be identity theft scams.

2. Requests for Payment to Get a Job

Though employment application fees are legal in some states, it is poor practice for employers to charge jobseekers. Some states use application fees to offset hiring costs, especially for government positions where taxpayer dollars are used to hire new employees. However, scammers ask for cash up front with no intentions of reciprocating. Thus, to protect your pocketbook, never respond to a job post that request payment or checking, savings, or credit card account information.

3. Generic or Strange Email Addresses

Most professional organizations have domain names and send emails using their company email addresses, such as humanresources@legitcompany.com. Therefore, if you receive a job offer from a company that uses Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, or similar accounts, do not respond. Also, if an email address resembles that of a legit business, such as Microsoft or Amazon, check the domain for accuracy. Some scammers may post jobs or send emails using accounts that look like legit business names, but they’ll contain one missing or incorrect letter (e.g., humanresources@micrsft.com). Some may also include a long string of numbers in the name of the mailbox (e.g., hr000000001@fakecompany.com) or domain (e.g., humanresources@microsoft202020202020.com).

4. No Online Presence from the Employer

Companies that hire remote employees should have a website where they present their products, services, company information, leadership team members, and contact information. They also typically show up in search engine results and have LinkedIn profiles or some form of social media presence. If you can’t find any online evidence that a company exists, it’s best to not respond to related job posts.

However, some scammers are more sophisticated and create malicious websites and social media profiles to give the illusion that a company is legit. In this case, look for a phone number and physical address, then search for the company using Google Maps and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If information doesn’t align and you can’t seem to locate a company, it may be best to avoid it completely.

5. Too Many Spelling and Grammar Errors in the Posting

Typos happen, but scams often contain way too many errors. If a job post contains numerous spelling and grammatical errors, as well as sentences that are illogical or unrelated to the job title, steer clear.

6. Vague Job Description

Legit job posts often contain detailed descriptions of job requirements and qualifications. They may also include company summaries and instructions on how to apply. Contrarily, scams can be brief, uninformative, and leave you feeling confused. Therefore, avoid job posts with cryptic or vague information.

How to Recognize Legit Remote Jobs

How do you know if a job listing is legitimate? There are a few ways to fact check information and ensure your remote job application experience is a safe one.

1. Check the Website

Search for the company name on the internet. Avoid clicking on links within the job post, in case they redirect you to malicious websites. Look at the “Contact” page for address and phone number information. Then, check out the “About” page and read through the leadership team descriptions. (You’ll already want to do this before you send your resume.) Also, check the URL for an “https” which indicates the website is encrypted and secure. And don’t forget to check your web browser’s built-in security monitoring information and look for the lock symbol next to the URL. Hackers probably don’t care about encrypting their fake websites, so any indication of website security is a good sign.

2. Crosscheck Information

Crosscheck information you find on the company website by searching for executives and other employees on Google and LinkedIn. Also, use Google Maps or similar online apps to look up the company address and validate the physical location. Even 100% virtual companies have a valid business address that they post publicly on the web.

3. Pick up the Phone

Go one step further and call the number listed on the website. You might inquire about the job post you found online and ask a human resources specialist to confirm the job post and whether it’s still available.

4. Search the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Go to the BBB website and search for the company name. Note that some companies may appear in the search results and have a BBB rating, but they may lack accreditation. Companies are not required to apply for and receive BBB accreditation, but they can still get listed and receive a grade. Thus, companies are likely legitimate if they have at least an information page on the BBB website.

5. Search for Reviews

Scour the web for company reviews from customers, partners, and previous employees. Again, sophisticated hackers can certainly fabricate reviews, but reasonable testimonials alongside other online validation can provide a sense of validation.

6. Review the Job Post

Take another look at the job post and read it carefully. Check for strange word pairings or anything that seems fishy. Authentic posts should have correct spelling and grammar, as well as detailed information about the position. Proceed with caution if you stumble upon a post with only a few lines of text and a bunch of links to find more information. Also, look for contact information for a recruiter or human resources specialist with an email address that coincides with the company name or website name.

Additionally, beware of job posts that present grandiose earnings claims. Though many employers accept entry-level candidates and offer on-the-job training for new employees, scammers often present far-fetched earning opportunities. Valid job posts usually provide direct information about professional training, minimum qualifications, and employee expectations.

Is It Possible to Find High-Paying, Secure Legit Remote Jobs?

Yes! There are thousands of legitimate remote jobs out there that pay just as much as office jobs. Remote work options are no longer seen as employment perks that substitute for higher pay. Plus, you can find jobs with full employee benefits, such as healthcare and retirement savings matching. Remote-friendly companies also offer part-time, temporary, seasonal, and independent contractor positions that are location independent.

Don’t let job scams hold you back! Ready for peace of mind? Click the button below to become a Virtual Vocations member and gain access to the thoroughly hand-screened and vetted 15,000 fully remote jobs in our database. Your path to safe and legit remote jobs starts here!

Will you use these tips for spotting legit remote jobs during your job search? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and tips. We’d love to hear from you!