How to Recognize and Avoid Job Scams

Scam schemes in job vacancies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially in the IT sector. This guide will help you spot the signs of a scam in time and protect your data and assets.

🚨 CRITICALLY IMPORTANT!

Never log into platforms using your Google, Apple, government services, GitHub, or any other personal accounts at the request of employers
Do not run suspicious repositories or code from test assignments — they may contain malware that steals data and crypto wallets. Do not download APK files on Android
Never transfer money to an employer "for registration", "for account verification", "to top up a trading bot", "to access a freelance platform", or under any other pretext. Do not buy training courses disguised as job offers
Do not connect crypto wallets to bots or give access to them. Do not trade NFTs in suspicious applications
Do not send verification codes, passwords, seed phrases, or any other data for access to your accounts or wallets

🔍 Before Applying

Scam signs in the job description (can be noticed immediately):

Salary too high for the position: Offer significantly above market rate. For example, "chat moderator $800-1000/mo", "tester with no experience $1500/mo", "remote assistant $2000/mo".
Too good to be true promises: "We'll teach you everything", "No experience needed", "Mentors will help", "Minimal experience OK" — for positions that typically require qualifications.
Undemanding work for big money: Simple tasks (moderation, testing without knowledge, "clicking links") with inflated salary.
Vague job description: Focus on "easy money", "work from home", "flexible schedule", but unclear what you'll actually do.
Mentions crypto/NFT/trading: Unless it's a specialized position at a crypto company.
Too fast hiring: "Start today", "Urgently need people", "Limited spots" — artificial pressure.
Suspicious profiles and website: "Recruiter" profiles on social media appear inactive, fake (check photos via Google Images!). The company website is poorly made, recently created, or immediately asks to connect a wallet.

🚩 During Communication

Red flags during communication:

They require you to run their code or install software: Especially for a test task or before a formal interview, this is often a way to distribute malware. They ask you to download APK files on Android.
They ask you to log into their "corporate" platforms: Requiring authorization through Google, Apple, government services, GitHub, or other accounts on suspicious websites — the goal is to steal access to your accounts.
They ask for any money transfers: Account verification payment, topping up a trading bot, accessing a freelance platform, trading NFTs in their app, or selling training courses disguised as job offers.
Oddities in communication: Categorical refusal of video calls, excessive rushing, and pressure to make you decide quickly. Moving to Telegram immediately.
Artificial urgency: "Access code valid for 24 hours", "Offer only today", "Need to decide right now".

How the Scam Typically Works:

You receive an interview invitation on LinkedIn or find a promising job opening on Hirify — everything looks professional and legit. Scammers frequently look for developers under the pretext of "finishing a project," "helping with a nearly completed application," or "urgent system development."

After a brief initial conversation, which they might try to quickly move to Telegram, you'll be offered an "interview" (often without video from the "employer's" side) or they'll go straight to a "test task." This may include:

Cloning a suspicious repository (often new, with few commits)
Installing custom software according to "confidential" instructions
Authorizing on their "corporate platform" through your personal accounts
Providing access to your accounts "for testing integrations"

Sometimes, artificial urgency is created, for example, by stating that an access code to the system or task "is valid for a limited time."

During the process, you might be asked to provide various personal information — from OS data to authorization in your accounts supposedly "for setting up the work environment." Running the provided code or program (where a malicious element might be hidden in npm packages or obfuscated scripts) can initiate inconspicuous background activity. Authorization on their platforms through your accounts gives them full access to your data. The ultimate goal is to gain unauthorized access to your accounts, data, and in the case of cryptocurrency wallets — to your funds. After a successful attack, the "employer" usually disappears.

About Test Tasks and Working Without Upfront Payment:

Unpaid test tasks are your personal choice. Be prepared that you might not get the job after completing the task, or the task might be a way to get free work. This isn't always a scam, but the risk exists.

⚠️ Working Without Upfront Payment

Never start work without at least a partial upfront payment. This is one of the main signs of fraud. Cases where they promise "weekly payments" or "at the end of the month" and then disappear after you've done the work are a typical scam scheme.

Legitimate employers understand the value of your time and are always willing to discuss upfront payment or advance terms, especially for freelance and remote work.

🚨 Offline Jobs Abroad

Dangerous Offline Vacancies: Forced Labor and Human Trafficking

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in cases where people are lured to "jobs" in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos), the Middle East, and Africa, only to have their documents confiscated and be forced into labor. This is not just fraud — it is human trafficking.

What it typically looks like:

High-paying vacancy, offline work in an exotic country
Little to no information about the company — just an email or Telegram contact
They promise to cover flights and accommodation
They ask you to come in person, sometimes through intermediaries
After arrival, your passport is taken "for paperwork" and never returned

How to protect yourself:

Never hand over your passport or documents — not to the employer, intermediary, or "helper"
Thoroughly verify the employer before traveling: look for reviews, check the legal entity, website, LinkedIn
Inform your family of the exact address, company name, and contacts of where you're going
Register with your country's embassy in the destination country
Keep copies of your documents in the cloud and with a trusted person
If you are already in such a situation — contact your country's consular services or local police

🛡️ Protection

How to Protect Yourself:

Do not run unfamiliar code or software: Instead, suggest a live coding session or ask for a task that doesn't require running their files on your device.
Thoroughly check repositories: Pay attention to a low number of commits, obfuscated (confusing) code, or inconsistency with the project description.
Research profiles and the company: Look for information about the company and its representatives online. Check reviews and activity.
Verify the recruiter: If you have doubts, ask for a LinkedIn profile or other professional social media link. Real recruiters usually have established profiles with work history and connections. Yes, it's harder with Telegram, but legitimate recruiters are willing to verify their identity.
Never use your main accounts: If a test task requires authorization, create separate test accounts without access to important data.
Don't provide passport data and documents: Don't send passport scans, SSN, tax ID, or other documents before official hiring. Scammers can use them for identity theft and taking out loans in your name.
Demand upfront payment before starting work: Legitimate employers are always willing to discuss partial upfront payment terms.
Report suspicions: If a job offer seems fraudulent, report it to the support service of the platform where you found it.

IMPORTANT: If you still need to test the code

If you still decide to test suspicious code or software, you must do it in an isolated environment: use a "sandbox" or a virtual machine that has no access to your personal data, accounts, and important files.

Scammers are constantly refining their methods, using new technologies and psychological techniques. Stay vigilant and critically evaluate every offer—this is a key step in protecting your data, accounts, and finances.