Job offer sound too good to be true? It just might be a scam, state officials say

N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley are warning North Carolinians about scammers posing as job recruiters and offering to line up interviews for high-paying jobs.

The goal of the scammers is to get personal information and money from job seekers.

"These scams are especially cruel because they target people who are actively trying to improve their lives," Jackson said in a news release.

"Someone thinks they've landed a real opportunity - and instead they get scammed."

The scam typically begins with fake job listings placed on well-known sites. Sometimes the scammers will collect personal information from social media or from websites used by job seekers.

In the latter case, scammers contact potential victims directly by phone, text message, email or a direct message.

In most instances, the scammers offer the promise of high-paying jobs that require few or no qualifications, or the opportunity to work from home.

Victims are often put through what appears to be a real hiring process. They may get interviews and offer letters.

Eventually, the scammer requests sensitive personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers or bank details, or asks the victim to send money for supposed training, equipment or "background checks.

"North Carolinians should be able to trust that a job opportunity is legitimate and that they'll be paid what they're owed," Farley said. "Unfortunately, bad actors are not only scamming applicants on the front end, but in some cases exploiting workers after they're hired."

According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing $501 million to this type of scam in 2024. Losses from these scams nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024.

Individuals on fixed incomes, seniors and those reentering the workforce or seeking flexible employment may be especially susceptible to employment scams, according to the news release.

"The people who fall for these scams aren't reckless - they're hopeful," Jackson said

"They're parents, students, veterans and workers just trying to get ahead. These criminals exploit that hope, and that's what makes this especially disturbing."

Farley and Jackson summed up their advice by cautioning "if a job seems too good to be true, it probably is."

"Search online for the name of the company or recruiter. See if others say they have been scammed by that company or person.

"Even if it appears to be from a familiar company or if the job was posted on a reputable job board, find the company's website and call the company directly to verify that the job listing is accurate - especially if you did not apply directly to that company."

For more information, or to report a potential scam, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/.

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 9:44 AM.