Just a heads up for anyone job hunting on Craigslist… watch out for scams! They’re asking people to pay for background checks before starting. Total red flag.
Heads up to all new folks here:
If you post in this forum about scams, you might get private messages from people pretending to know ‘professionals’ or ‘hackers’ who can help recover your money. These are scammers too – only trust advice shared openly in the comments where everyone can see it. Private messages are not safe for advice here.
Here are a few rules to remember on this forum:
- No personal details like last names, phone numbers, etc.
- Be respectful in comments (no name-calling or insults).
- No requests for revenge or ‘scambaiting’ stories.
Use the ‘report’ button if you see recovery scammers or any rule-breaking posts. We review all reports! Feel free to help keep the forum clean by warning others about these scams.
Yeah, they use this scam for apartment rentals too! They ask for an application fee, then make you pay for a background check that goes nowhere.
They make you pay like $55 and then just disappear. Ghosting at its finest 
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Check out the info below for more details on these job scams!
LyamGenesis said:
Check out the info below for more details on these job scams!
It’s frustrating… there needs to be more awareness around these scams, especially since they target people looking for both jobs and apartments.
@HushPopo
It’s true. These are all ‘advance-fee’ scams – you pay them in hopes of getting something back, and they just keep your money.
jordansmith said:
@HushPopo
It’s true. These are all ‘advance-fee’ scams – you pay them in hopes of getting something back, and they just keep your money.
Makes sense, it’s like paying upfront hoping for a job or apartment… and then you get nothing.
@HushPopo
Exactly! This setup is the same as those credit report scams or the ones that need you to pay for a ‘certification’ before they proceed.
LyamGenesis said:
Check out the info below for more details on these job scams!
Hey there! AutoModerator here to explain common job scams.
Fake job offers are popping up everywhere. They often reach out on WhatsApp, Telegram, or email, offering easy jobs with high pay and minimal experience needed. If they ‘hire’ you instantly without real interviews or background checks, it’s likely fake.
Common job scams to watch out for:
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Fake Check Scam: They send a check for equipment, you buy things, and the check bounces.
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Package Scam: Jobs requiring you to ‘inspect packages’ or forward items are often scams using you as a mule.
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Fee-for-Hire Scam: Any job that asks for fees upfront (like background checks) is usually a setup.
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Bitcoin and Gift Card Scams: If they ask you to buy gift cards or use Bitcoin ATMs, it’s 100% a scam.
If they ask you to post ads online (like on Craigslist or eBay), they’re using you to trick other people, especially for fake rentals. Thanks to a fellow member for sharing these examples.
The scam email says, ‘If not, kindly wait till you are prepared to apply.’ I swear, anytime they say ‘kindly,’ it’s almost always a scam.