Fake Job Offer Robocalls: How Unexpected Calls Can Cost You Money

Job offer scams are nothing new, but they seem to be evolving beyond simple SMS or WhatsApp messages. Some people are receiving job offer robocalls, where the caller appears to give information about a legitimate job offer.

When you’re job hunting, any related call or text message can get your hopes up. Scammers count on this, exploiting that hope and desperation to steal your money or personal information from unsuspecting victims.

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What Are Robocalls?

A job offer robocall is generally a phone call that delivers a prerecorded message rather than involving a live person. Some use automated voices that may say something like, “You were called today by [company name].” Advances in voice technology can also make automated messages sound more natural, while automated dialing systems allow scammers to contact large numbers of people quickly.

Are Robocalls Illegal?

It depends on the type of call, the technology used, and whether the caller has obtained consent. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts certain calls made using automatic dialing systems or artificial or prerecorded voices. Telemarketing robocalls generally require prior express written consent, although different rules and exceptions apply depending on the type of call and the phone number being contacted. You may have unknowingly provided consent when signing up for a service, but that does not automatically mean a company has permission to make every type of automated or promotional call.

Those conducting a job offer scam, of course, don’t care about adhering to the law. Any call you get that’s trying to extort money or data is absolutely illegal.

Robocall Job Offer Scams: How They Work

You receive a call from someone claiming to be from either a company wanting to hire you or an agency wanting to put your resume forward to an employer. You’ll probably be asked to provide personal details like name, address, and Social Security Number. But unlike a normal job offer, the conversation will segue into finding ways for you to pay a fee.

Job offer scammers may also send victims blank checks to complete and return. They can then use the check information and signature to create counterfeit checks, which may be altered and deposited repeatedly through online check-deposit services. This technique, known as check baking or check cooking, allows fraudsters to create multiple checks using information taken from genuine checks. They may use relatively small amounts to make the fraudulent transactions less noticeable.

Some scammers convince victims to make a payment over the phone right there and then, as a processing fee. Others leave a voicemail, prompting the person to call back. That person is then routed to a premium-rate number, paying huge amounts to stay on the phone.

Job Offer Robocalls: Scam Red Flags

Here are some clear red flags that a job offer may be fake:

Any request for an admin fee or other payment: A genuine job offer won’t require you to pay anything to process your information.
Disproportionately high pay: Offering thousands of dollars for a few hours of admin a week isn’t realistic, no matter the industry. Be discerning and compare the rates to the national average.
Being offered a blank check: Genuine employers will never do this.

If you’re concerned that the call may be genuine, take their details and say you’ll ring them back. Search for the company or agency, and find their actual contact number, ideally for the HR team. Contact them directly to double-check if the call was a scam. Most employers will applaud your discernment.

Stay Informed About the Latest Scams

Robocalls are nothing new, but with the rise of AI and natural voice emulation, they are becoming more sophisticated. Follow the tips above to stay safe from fake job offer robocalls and similar scams.

Stay up-to-date on the latest scams by signing up for Scam Alerts. Get regular updates right into your inbox so you know what to look out for, both online and offline.

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