This free work-from-home scam checker scores a job offer against the warning signs scammers rely on. It takes about two minutes, and the work-from-home scam checker never stores your answers. For examples, read our guide to 7 work-from-home scams targeting parents.
Tick everything that’s true about the job or offer you’re checking.
A checklist to help you think it through, not a guarantee. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored or sent.
How to tell a real work-from-home job from a scam
Job scams have grown fast. In the US, the FTC says reported losses to job and employment agency scams rose from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million in 2024, and the real figure is higher because most people never report. Parents looking for flexible, remote work are a favourite target, because scammers know you want something that fits around school runs.
Most scams share the same few warning signs. This work-from-home scam checker groups them by what really matters: money (any request to pay, deposit or pass money on), contact (out-of-the-blue messages, no real interview), and your details (ID or bank details before a contract, remote-access apps).
The one rule that catches most scams
A real job pays you. It never asks you to pay first. Starter kits, paid training, “refundable” deposits, crypto top-ups to unlock earnings, and cheques you have to partly send back are all scams. So is any role where you earn mainly by recruiting other people.
Common work-from-home scams right now
- Task scams: you’re paid small amounts to “rate” products or like videos, then asked to deposit money to unlock bigger earnings. The money never comes back.
- Fake cheque scams: you get a cheque for equipment and are asked to send part of it to a “supplier”. The cheque bounces days later.
- Reshipping and money mule jobs: receiving parcels or payments and passing them on. This can get you into legal trouble.
- Pyramid schemes and MLMs: “be your own boss” offers where the real income comes from recruiting your friends.
- Identity theft: a fake recruiter collects your passport, PPS / NI / Social Security number and bank details for “onboarding”.
How to check a company in 5 minutes
- Search the official register: CRO (Ireland), Companies House (UK) or your state’s business search (US).
- Find the company’s website yourself and look for the job on its careers page.
- Search the company name plus “scam” or “reviews”.
- Check the recruiter on LinkedIn – a real profile has history and connections.
Work-from-home scam checker FAQs
Is it ever OK to pay for training for a work-from-home job?
Paying for a recognised course from an independent college or provider can be fine. Paying the company that’s “hiring” you, as a condition of starting, is not.
They interviewed me on Telegram and offered the job straight away. Is that normal?
No. Real employers interview by video or phone and take time to decide. A chat-only interview and an instant offer are strong warning signs.
I’ve already paid. What should I do?
Contact your bank’s fraud team immediately, stop all contact, and report it to the police. The faster you act, the better the chance of stopping the payment.
Are all MLMs scams?
Not all are illegal, but most people in them earn little or lose money once costs are counted. If the pitch is about recruiting rather than selling to real customers, walk away.