Most Common Indeed Scams & How to Avoid Them
Scammers impersonate Indeed or real employers to lure job seekers into paying fees, sharing sensitive data, or handling fake checks. Learn the newest red flags and how to stay safe.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
About this scam type
Employment scams use fake job postings and recruiter communications to trick job seekers. Scammers impersonate employers or job platforms like Indeed to ask for money, personal information, or to send fraudulent checks. They thrive because job seekers are eager for opportunities and may overlook warning signs when promised quick hiring or high pay.
How scammers contact victims
Scammers often start with an unsolicited text, WhatsApp, or Telegram message referencing your resume or job application. After initial contact on Indeed or another job site, they quickly move discussions to messaging apps or email, where oversight is limited. This approach makes it easier for scammers to pressure victims and avoid detection.
Who is most at risk
The majority of U.S. job seekers are targeted, but students, new graduates, military families, and seniors are especially vulnerable to Indeed job scams. Older adults experience higher median losses. Those looking for remote or flexible jobs are frequently targeted as scammers tailor their pitch to match common searches.
Understanding the risk level
Victims can lose thousands of dollars to check fraud, cryptocurrency deposits, or advance fees. Scammers may also steal sensitive information for identity theft or use victims in illegal shipping schemes. In 2024, U.S. job scam losses reached over $500 million. Acting quickly is crucial to limit the impact.
Most Common Indeed Scams
How it works: Scammers pose as Indeed HR staff or well-known recruiters and send unsolicited messages claiming they've seen your resume. They offer high-paying remote jobs, ask you to switch to WhatsApp or Telegram to continue, and then push for personal details or a fast response. There is usually no interview, and the process feels rushed and informal.
Real Example (Aug 2025)
Hello, my name is Wendy and I am a Recruiter at Indeed. Common Variant
Your resume has been recommended… write to me via WhatsApp. Red Flag Signs:
- • Message comes from a random number or a non-Indeed short code.
- • Pushes you to WhatsApp or Telegram quickly.
- • Promises guaranteed income and immediate hiring with no interview.
- • Requests Social Security number or ID image early.
How it works: Scammers send fake job offers after finding your resume or following up on an application. They mail or send you a check, telling you to buy work equipment or gift cards and send back the codes or money. The check bounces later, leaving you responsible for the funds.
Real Example (July 2025)
We found your resume on indeed.com… we’ll send a check to purchase equipment. Red Flag Signs:
- • Asked to buy equipment from a specific vendor or with gift cards.
- • Told to act before funds clear at the bank.
- • Refuses video interviews and insists on urgent action.
- • Requests direct deposit information before a written offer.
How it works: You are invited to perform simple online tasks or 'boosting' activities and receive small initial payments. Soon, you are told to deposit your own money, often in cryptocurrency, to unlock higher payouts or withdraw earnings. Losses can be severe if you comply.
Red Flag Signs:
- • Job feels more like a game than real work.
- • Dashboard shows 'earnings' you cannot access unless you pay.
- • Asked to use crypto or unfamiliar payment apps.
- • All communication moves to WhatsApp or Telegram.
How it works: You may get emails or ads that look like Indeed or leading employers. These link to fake login pages that steal your credentials. Some victims are re-contacted by scammers pretending to be recovery staff from the FBI or IC3.
Red Flag Signs:
- • Link leads to a lookalike site or a page with misspellings in the URL.
- • Messages say to 'verify your account' right away.
- • Texts sent from numbers other than Indeed’s official short codes.
- • Ads in search results direct you to enter your login or 2FA code.
How it works: Supposed job offers require you to receive and forward packages, sometimes internationally. These packages are often purchased with stolen cards. Victims may be left unpaid and could face legal issues for money mule activity.
Red Flag Signs:
- • Job description includes receiving and shipping goods from your home.
- • Offered 'quality inspection' work without an interview or clear company.
- • Asked for ID images supposedly for 'shipping compliance.'
Red Flags & Warning Signs
Top 5 Phrases Scammers Use
- 1 "We found your resume on Indeed"
A common cold-open that signals a mass message, not a real recruiter.
- 2 "Contact the hiring manager on WhatsApp/Telegram"
Scammers move off Indeed quickly to reduce oversight and pressure you privately.
- 3 "Immediate hire, no interview required"
Real employers do not skip interviews for most jobs.
- 4 "We will send a check so you can buy equipment"
No legitimate employer sends funds before a formal offer and background check.
- 5 "Earn $200 to $700 per day, guaranteed"
High daily pay claims with no details are a hallmark of scams.
Scam Warning Signs
- Messages from non-Indeed short codes or 10-digit numbersIndeed uses only specific short codes for notifications and 2FA.
- Requests to switch to WhatsApp or Telegram immediatelyLegitimate recruiters stay on Indeed until hiring steps begin.
- Pressure to pay fees, send gift cards, or deposit cryptoReal employers never ask for money to get hired or to start work.
- Fake check mailed or e-deposited for gear or gift cardsYou are responsible when these checks bounce and cause losses.
- Job links or ads at the top of search results with lookalike URLsScammers spoof login pages to steal your credentials.
- Vague job titles, high pay, and no company emailReal offers include clear job descriptions and verified company domains.
Legitimate Communications
- Contact starts inside Indeed, then switches to company email after you applyReal employers use official channels and provide verifiable email addresses.
- You have a video or phone interview before any offer is madeEmployers want to screen applicants and build trust.
- No payment required to apply or begin workGenuine positions do not charge fees or request gift cards or crypto.
- Job and recruiter listed on company career websiteYou can verify both independently.
- Background check after a provisional offer, using a recognized providerLegitimate checks only happen after offers and through secure portals.
How to Protect Yourself
A few careful steps can help you and your family avoid Indeed job scams, especially when protecting students, older adults, or anyone seeking remote work.
- 1. Keep Recruiting Chats Inside Indeed First
Do not move to WhatsApp, Telegram, or email before you verify the job and the recruiter's work domain. Scammers push for off-platform chats so they are harder to trace.
Ask for a video call and an email from the company’s domain before ever moving the discussion off Indeed.
- 2. Verify the Job and Recruiter Directly
Check the employer’s official careers site to see if the job exists and search the recruiter’s name in the company directory or LinkedIn.
- 3. Never Pay to Get Hired or Buy Equipment Up Front
Legitimate jobs do not require payment or purchases before you start. Decline offers that send checks for you to buy equipment or ask for gift card payments.
- 4. Know Indeed’s Texting Rules
Indeed only uses short codes 36666, 56666, or 463333 for job notices, and 22395 or 78156 for authentication. Treat messages from other numbers as suspicious.
- 5. Use Strong Account Security and Safe Browsing
Always type Indeed.com directly into your browser. Turn on two-factor authentication and do not log in through ads or email links that could be lookalikes.
- 6. Share These Resources with Family and Friends
Students, job changers, and older adults are most at risk. Talk to them about these red flags and encourage everyone to verify before sharing any information.
Stay alert and monitor for job scam activity by signing up for Lifeguard's protection services.
What to Do If You're a Victim
If you think you or a loved one has been caught by an Indeed job scam, act fast. The sooner you respond, the more you can limit losses and protect your identity.
- 1. Stop Contact and Save All Evidence (Do immediately)
Stop all communication. Take screenshots, save texts, emails, and payment details. You may need these for banks or reports.
- 2. Call Your Bank or Card Company Immediately (Do immediately)
If you sent any money, call your bank or card issuer to report fraud and try to reverse the payment. If you sent crypto, contact the exchange and request a freeze.
- 3. If You Deposited a Check, Notify Your Bank (Do immediately)
Tell your bank a check you deposited may be a scam and ask them to place a hold. Stop any purchases or transfers related to the check.
- 4. Change Passwords and Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (Within 24 hours)
Update your Indeed, email, and financial account passwords right away. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible to prevent further access.
- 5. Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze (Within 24 hours)
Contact one credit bureau to add a fraud alert or freeze your credit with all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- 6. File a Report with FBI IC3 (Within 24 hours)
Report the scam at the real ic3.gov website. Be on guard for lookalike or spoofed IC3 sites and emails that offer to recover funds for a fee.
- 7. For Reshipping Scams, Contact Postal Inspectors and Police (Within 24 hours)
If you participated in a parcel shipping job, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and your local police for help and guidance.
- 8. Report to Indeed, BBB, State AG, and Alert Victims
Report the scam post or recruiter to Indeed, your state attorney general, and use the BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others.
- 9. Remediate Identity Theft and Monitor Your Credit
Use FTC identity theft recovery resources if your personal data is at risk. Be aware, as of October 2025, some FTC reporting sites may not be available due to a federal shutdown. If the FTC site is down, continue monitoring credit and maintaining fraud alerts, then retry later.
For detailed U.S. identity theft guidance, use identitytheft.gov (if available), ic3.gov, and your state AG website. When in doubt, ask Lifeguard for updated steps tailored to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Indeed only sends notifications or 2FA codes through its official short codes, never job offers. Treat any job offer via text from a regular number as suspicious.
That is very unlikely. Most real employers use phone or video calls and communicate using company email addresses. Stick with official channels until you verify.
Do not cash or use the check. Ask your bank to hold or verify it, stop all communication with the sender, and report the offer as a scam.
Keep communication in your Indeed inbox, confirm the job is listed on the company’s website, and look for emails from official company domains, not Gmail or WhatsApp numbers.
Never pay before you have a written offer, and only use payment through the employer’s verified background check provider. Avoid gift cards and cryptocurrency payments.
Report to ic3.gov, your state attorney general’s portal, BBB Scam Tracker, and Indeed. Try the FTC site again once services resume.
Change your passwords immediately, enable two-factor authentication, run antivirus software, and monitor your accounts for signs of fraud. Freeze your credit if you shared sensitive info.
Protect Your Family From Job Scams
Job scams are rising and can target students, parents, and seniors. Sign up for Lifeguard to monitor scam and fraud risks across your family and respond quickly if danger is spotted.
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