Are remote jobs on LinkedIn a scam? How to spot fake job postings
You've found the perfect remote job on LinkedIn. Great salary, flexible hours, legitimate-looking company. You apply, get a quick response, and suddenly you're being asked to download a messaging app or pay for "training materials." Sound familiar?
Job scams cost job seekers over $501 million in 2024 alone, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And remote positions are the prime target – scammers know that work-from-home opportunities are exactly what millions of professionals are searching for.
The question isn't whether remote jobs on LinkedIn are legitimate – many absolutely are. The question is whether you can tell the difference between a genuine opportunity and a sophisticated scam designed to steal your money, your personal information, or both.
After years of helping remote workers navigate the European job market, we've seen the tactics scammers use – and the devastating impact on job seekers who fall victim. This guide will show you exactly what to watch for, how to verify any opportunity, and what to do if you've already been targeted.
The scale of the problem
The numbers are sobering. Job scams rose 19% in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, with the typical victim losing around $2,000. But some lose far more – their identity, their savings, or months of job search time chasing opportunities that never existed.
According to FlexJobs, for every one legitimate work-from-home job posting, there are approximately 60 to 70 scams. That ratio should give any job seeker pause.
Why are remote jobs such a target? The answer is simple: the traditional hiring process has changed. When you're not meeting anyone in person, not visiting an office, not shaking hands with your future colleagues – it's much easier for scammers to maintain the illusion of legitimacy.
LinkedIn's trusted reputation actually works against job seekers here. We assume that because a job is posted on a professional platform, it must be real. Scammers exploit that trust ruthlessly, and the reality is that LinkedIn does not appear to proactively vet advertisers, not in the way we would like.
(Incidentally for avoidance of doubt we are talking here about ads that are totally fake - NOT about those which are real jobs but the remote element is fake. You know those - ‘remote but require you in the office 2 days a week’. Those are also rampant, but easy to spot if you read the body of the post. You can report those too, as it would be a lot better if people used the advertiser categories correctly!)
Ten red flags that expose fake LinkedIn job postings
Knowing what to look for is your best defence. These are the warning signs that should make you stop, investigate, and proceed with extreme caution.
1. Any request for payment
This is the cardinal rule: legitimate employers never ask you to pay for anything. Not training materials. Not equipment. Not "processing fees" or "background check costs." Not software licences. Nothing.
One common scheme involves the fake employer sending you a cheque to purchase equipment, then asking you to return the "excess" via bank transfer or PayPal. The cheque bounces days later, and your money is gone.
If anyone asks you to spend money to get a job, walk away immediately.
2. Salaries that seem too good to be true
A £60,000 salary for an entry-level position with minimal requirements? A "part-time" role paying more than most full-time jobs? Scammers use inflated compensation to override your critical thinking.
Legitimate remote jobs pay market rates. If an offer seems unusually generous for the role and experience level, that's a signal to investigate further.
3. Vague job descriptions
Real job postings describe specific responsibilities, required skills, reporting structures, and team context. Scam postings use generic language designed to appeal to as many applicants as possible.
Watch for descriptions that could apply to almost any job – "great communication skills," "self-starter," "work from home" – without any meaningful detail about what you'd actually be doing.
4. Pressure and artificial urgency
"We need to fill this position immediately." "This offer expires in 24 hours." "You've been selected from thousands of applicants – act now."
Legitimate hiring takes time. Real employers expect you to consider offers carefully, ask questions, and make informed decisions. Anyone pressuring you to commit quickly is likely hiding something.
5. Text-only interviews
A growing tactic involves conducting the entire "interview" via text message, WhatsApp, or chat platforms – never video, never phone.
One podcast host described applying to what appeared to be a legitimate LinkedIn posting: "I never interacted with anyone face-to-face, only text. The interview was also text-only." He was offered the job after a single day of messaging – another red flag.
Real remote companies use video interviews. They want to see you, assess your communication skills, and build rapport. Text-only communication is a major warning sign.
6. Requests for personal information too early
Your National Insurance/ social security number, bank details, passport copy, or other sensitive documents should only be requested after a formal job offer – and even then, only through secure, verified channels.
Scammers harvest this information for identity theft. A legitimate employer will establish trust, conduct proper interviews, and extend a written offer before asking for anything sensitive.
7. Suspicious recruiter profiles
Before engaging with anyone about a job, check their LinkedIn profile carefully:
How long has the account existed?
How many connections do they have?
Is their employment history consistent and detailed?
Do they have recommendations from real people?
Are they connected to other verified employees at the company?
New accounts with few connections, generic profile photos, and sparse information are classic scammer indicators.
8. Moving communication off LinkedIn
LinkedIn explicitly warns users not to move conversations to external platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Wire early in the hiring process. There's a reason: once you're off the platform, LinkedIn can't protect you or help you report fraud.
Legitimate recruiters will use corporate email and standard video platforms. They have no reason to shift to encrypted messaging apps.
9. Non-corporate email addresses
Any genuine recruiter, HR professional, or hiring manager will contact you from a company email address – not Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or any other free provider.
If "Sarah from Microsoft" is emailing you from sarah.recruiter.2024@gmail.com, that's not Microsoft. “Oh but we’re having trouble with our email servers / I’m new and don’t have my corporate email working yet” - hard no!
10. Unusually fast hiring
Real hiring involves multiple stages: application review, screening calls, interviews with different team members, reference checks, and deliberation. This takes time – usually weeks, sometimes months.
If you're offered a job after a single brief conversation, especially without any meaningful assessment of your skills, something is wrong. Scammers want to close the deal before you have time to investigate.
How to verify if a LinkedIn job is legitimate
Suspicion is healthy, but you need practical steps to distinguish real opportunities from scams. Here's your verification checklist.
Check the company's official careers page
Go directly to the company's website – not through any link provided in the job posting or message. Navigate to their careers or jobs section. Is the position listed there?
If a job exists only on LinkedIn and not on the company's own site, that's a significant red flag.
Verify the recruiter is a real employee
Search for the person's name on LinkedIn independently. Check if they appear on the company's website or team page. Look at their connections – are they connected to other verified employees at that company?
You can also call the company's main number and ask to verify that this person works there and is recruiting for this role.
Examine the company's LinkedIn presence
Does the company have a verified LinkedIn page with the blue badge? How many employees are listed? Is there regular activity – posts, updates, employee engagement?
A company profile with few followers, no recent activity, and sparse information deserves extra scrutiny.
Search for warning signs
Google the company name along with words like "scam," "fraud," or "reviews." Check Glassdoor and Trustpilot. Look for any reports from other job seekers who may have encountered problems.
Watch for URL tricks
Scammers create fake websites that look almost identical to legitimate company sites. The URL might be slightly different – company-careers.com instead of company.com, or with subtle misspellings.
Always verify you're on the genuine company website before submitting any information.
What legitimate remote hiring actually looks like
Understanding the real process helps you spot fakes. Here's what genuine remote hiring typically involves:
Application review – Your CV and application are assessed against the role requirements. This takes days, not hours.
Screening call – A recruiter or HR representative contacts you via corporate email to schedule a video or phone call. They ask about your experience and explain the role and company.
Interviews – You'll have one or more video interviews with hiring managers and potential colleagues. They'll assess your skills, experience, and cultural fit.
Assessment – Many roles include a practical task, technical test, or portfolio review.
Reference checks – They contact your previous employers or references.
Written offer – You receive a formal offer letter with salary, benefits, start date, and terms – all on company letterhead.
Onboarding – Only after you've accepted the written offer do they request personal details for payroll, tax, and employment records.
Compare this to scam hiring: instant responses, text-only communication, immediate offers, early requests for personal information, and pressure to decide quickly.
What to do if you've been scammed
If you've already shared information or sent money, act quickly.
Report to LinkedIn
Use LinkedIn's reporting feature to flag the fake job posting and the scammer's profile. This helps protect other job seekers.
Report to authorities
In the UK, report to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk) – the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can also report to the National Cyber Security Centre.
In the EU, contact your national consumer protection agency or cybercrime unit. Most countries have online reporting portals.
In the US, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Contact your bank
If you've sent money or shared bank details, contact your bank immediately. They may be able to stop transactions or freeze accounts before funds are transferred.
Document everything
Screenshot all communications, job postings, emails, and any other evidence. This information is valuable for investigations and may help you recover losses.
Monitor your identity
If you've shared personal documents or identification numbers, consider credit monitoring services and watch for signs of identity theft. In the UK, you can place a CIFAS protective registration marker on your credit file.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get scammed through LinkedIn Easy Apply?
Yes. Easy Apply speeds up application submissions, but it doesn't verify that job postings are legitimate. Scammers exploit this feature because it generates high volumes of applicants quickly.
Are all remote jobs on LinkedIn fake?
Absolutely not. Many legitimate companies post genuine remote opportunities on LinkedIn. The key is knowing how to distinguish real postings from scams – which is why verification steps are so important.
How do I report a fake job on LinkedIn?
Click the three dots on any job posting or profile and select "Report." Choose the appropriate reason and provide details. LinkedIn reviews reports and removes fraudulent content.
What do scammers do with my information?
Stolen personal information can be used for identity theft, fraudulent credit applications, tax fraud, or sold on dark web marketplaces. Bank details enable direct theft. Even basic information like your email and phone number can be used for further phishing attempts.
Protecting your remote job search
Remote work opportunities are real, growing, and accessible to professionals across Europe and beyond. The problem isn't remote work – it's predators who exploit job seekers' hopes and the inherent trust we place in professional platforms.
Protect yourself by:
Treating every opportunity with healthy scepticism until verified
Never paying anything or sharing sensitive information before a formal written offer
Insisting on video interviews with verifiable company employees
Independently verifying every company and recruiter
Trusting your instincts – if something feels wrong, it probably is
The job search is challenging enough without falling victim to fraud. Take your time, do your research, and remember: legitimate employers will never pressure you, never ask for money, and never conduct hiring entirely through text messages.
If you're serious about finding genuine remote work, consider joining a community that can help you navigate the search safely. Our Connected job club provides vetted opportunities, peer support, and resources specifically for remote job seekers in Europe. And our Remote Readiness book gives you a complete framework for finding and landing legitimate remote work – from crafting your applications to negotiating offers.
The right remote job is out there. Make sure you find it safely.