Scam category
Remote worker scams
Remote worker scams have grown alongside the shift to distributed work. Scammers post convincing remote job listings that require equipment purchases, send fake home office supply invoices, and create phishing schemes that impersonate HR departments or collaboration tools. The isolation of remote work makes it harder for targets to verify legitimacy through casual office conversations.
Category activity
“work from home scam”
↑ 68%Watch for
- A remote employer sends you a check to buy equipment and asks you to return the difference.
- You are hired without a real interview and immediately asked to provide banking details for equipment reimbursement.
- The job posting promises high pay for minimal work with no experience required.
Common searches
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fake remote job posting scam
Scammers post attractive remote job listings on legitimate job boards, conducting fake interviews and collecting personal information or upfront fees from applicants before disappearing.
Verify any job offer by visiting the company's official website and contacting their HR department directly.
Remote workers
U.S.
remote job equipment purchase scam
New remote hires are told to purchase equipment from a specific vendor using a company check that later bounces, leaving the employee out of pocket for the full amount.
Legitimate employers provide equipment directly or reimburse after verified purchase — they never send checks to buy from unknown vendors.
Remote workers
U.S.
fake coworking membership scam
Scammers create fake coworking space listings or websites offering discounted memberships, collecting payments for spaces that do not exist or are not affiliated with the real location.
Verify coworking spaces by visiting the location in person or checking their verified profiles on Google Maps before paying.
Remote workers
U.S.
VPN phishing scam targeting remote workers
Phishing emails impersonate corporate IT departments and direct remote workers to fake VPN login pages that capture their corporate credentials.
Never click VPN login links in emails — always access your corporate VPN through the official application or bookmark.
Remote workers
U.S.
fake HR onboarding scam for remote workers
Scammers impersonate HR departments of companies and send fake onboarding documents to new remote hires, collecting tax forms, identification, and bank details for identity theft.
Verify the onboarding process by calling the company's main number and asking to speak with the HR contact who sent the documents.
Remote workers
U.S.
payroll redirect scam targeting remote workers
Scammers compromise or impersonate an employee's email and send payroll or HR a request to change direct deposit information, diverting paychecks to the scammer's account.
Always verify direct deposit change requests through a phone call to the employee using a known number, not the one in the email.
Remote workers
U.S.
fake home office stipend scam
Scammers posing as employers offer remote workers a home office stipend via check that is fraudulent, asking the worker to purchase items and return the excess funds.
Legitimate home office stipends are reimbursed after purchase or provided through corporate purchasing — never through personal check overpayment.
Remote workers
U.S.
Slack impersonation scam targeting remote workers
Scammers gain access to a Slack workspace or create convincing fake Slack notifications to trick remote workers into clicking malicious links or sharing credentials.
Never click links in Slack notification emails — open Slack directly through the app or bookmark.
Remote workers
U.S.
fake freelance platform scam
Scammers create counterfeit versions of popular freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, tricking freelancers into creating accounts and accepting fake projects that lead to payment theft.
Always navigate to freelance platforms by typing the URL directly — never through ads or email links.
Remote workers
U.S.
time tracking malware scam targeting remote workers
Employers or scammers require remote workers to install time tracking software that secretly contains spyware, keyloggers, or cryptocurrency miners.
Only install time tracking software from verified developers — check reviews and the developer's reputation before installing.
Remote workers
U.S.
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