I lost money before I'd even had day one

I had a signed offer for a remote role and upbeat HR email; I wanted to make a good impression before day one.

Then they said I had to pay upfront for a laptop, software, or a background check they would reimburse on payroll.

I paid by card link they sent; the start date moved twice for “onboarding delays,” then the inbox bounced and the office number was disconnected.

I had not worked a single day.

Fake job scams collect equipment or check fees then vanish.

Legitimate employers pay for work tools or deduct through payroll after you are on staff—not through pre-start personal payments to random portals.

While I paid I told myself asking too many questions might make them withdraw the offer; the paperwork had looked real enough to silence doubt.

The real company name on the letterhead, when I called their published HR line, had no record of my hire and said others had reported the same spoof.

I lost money I needed for rent and felt foolish starting another job search from zero; reporting to the FTC and the brand’s fraud desk at least added the fake domain to watchlists.

I do not pay for equipment or checks before employment is verified through channels I initiate with the real company.

• Never pay “HR” fees before day one; verify offers through the employer’s official website and phone tree.
• Report recruitment fraud to the FTC (US) or your consumer authority.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.