Job Posting Scams

Protect yourself from job posting scams

University students across North America continue to be targeted in a variety of fraudulent employment scams.

Although UBC Centre for Student Involvement and Careers screens all job postings in an attempt to filter out questionable employers or job postings, it is important that students also be alert to the warning signs of job posting scams and take appropriate action to protect themselves and their privacy.

Familiarize yourself with how to avoid job posting scams before you continue to CareersOnline, the online platform for UBC students.

Recognize the warning signs

The following are warning signs you should read through before applying for any job:

  • The post has poor grammar or spelling
  • The email domain uses a free site (e.g., @hotmail, @gmail).
  • You are not able to contact or identify the person posting.
  • The email domain listed on the posting does not match the company website domain or is misspelled.
  • The company phone number is unlisted or not available when you call.
  • Company website only includes the job posting info and not information about the company.
  • They request personal information from you, such as your SIN, photo identification, date of birth.
  • You have been made an offer without submitting a resume or being interviewed.
  • They request access to your bank account.
  • They request initial investment, cash checks, e-transfers, or wire money.
  • They request that you purchase a gift card, such as from Best Buy, and to supply them the number on the cards.

Be sure to research all job postings carefully. Verify that the job exists and visit the company’s official website, or even call the company to confirm.

Know your employment rights

Report job scams

If you suspect a job posting on CareersOnline is fraudulent, please contact us immediately at recruit.talent@ubc.ca and we will work with you to identify an appropriate course of action.

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