How to Find Legitimate Remote Jobs (and Avoid Scams)

The rise of remote work has unfortunately also brought a rise in remote job scams. A few checks can help you tell a real opportunity from a fraudulent one.

Watch for red flags

• A job offer with no interview or a very informal one
• Requests for payment for equipment or training upfront
• Vague job descriptions with unusually high pay for minimal qualifications
• Communication only through chat apps, never a company email or phone

Verify the company independently

Search for the company outside the job posting itself, and check that the recruiter's profile matches a real employee.

Use reputable remote-specific job boards

Boards that specialize in vetted remote roles tend to have fewer scam listings than general classifieds.

Never pay to get a job

A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or a background check as a condition of employment.