Fake equipment-check scams work because the job offer feels exciting and already confirmed. The payment is framed as a small onboarding step, but it can lead to direct money loss or exposed card details.
The safer move is simple: do not pay from the chat. Verify the recruiter and company through a channel you find yourself, and never send payment details just to start a job.
Do this first
Next 5 minutes
- Do not pay from the chat. Verify the company and recruiter through a channel you find yourself, and never send card details or transfer money to start a job.
- If you only clicked the payment link, close it and do not enter card or bank details.
- If you entered card or payment details, contact your bank or card provider quickly and explain that the payment may be linked to a job scam.
- If you sent documents or personal details, save the chat and watch for account or identity misuse.
Then continue with the red flag and checklist below. If you already entered details or paid, open already-clicked help.
The red flag
The job asks you to pay through a message link before payroll, paperwork, or verified company channels are in place.
Why it works
The offer feels exciting because the job seems already yours. Scammers use that moment to make an upfront fee feel like a normal onboarding step.
Safer move
Do not pay from the chat. Verify the company and recruiter through a channel you find yourself, and never send card details or transfer money to start a job.
If you already clicked
- If you only clicked the payment link, close it and do not enter card or bank details.
- If you entered card or payment details, contact your bank or card provider quickly and explain that the payment may be linked to a job scam.
- If you sent documents or personal details, save the chat and watch for account or identity misuse.
