A LinkedIn message cost me $50,000

In my 40s I wanted a better opportunity.

A LinkedIn recruiter pitched a senior role with strong pay; the company looked real and the process moved like a normal hire.

They sent a contract and said I should buy software and supplies for reimbursement, then mailed a cheque for “equipment.”

The bank showed a credit while the paper was still clearing; they pressured me to wire back an overpayment.

The cheque bounced after I had sent real money—about fifty thousand dollars gone.

The recruiter and “HR” vanished.

The brand was real; the job was not.

LinkedIn felt safe; the contract made upfront costs feel temporary.

When the cheque returned NSF and the real company’s line said no hire existed, the loss became undeniable.

Disputes and reporting stretched months; shame sat beside the bank statements.

Real employers do not ask for equipment purchases and overpayment wires.

I verify every offer through the company’s official contact before money moves.

• Verify jobs through the employer’s website—never only the recruiter’s link.
• Never send back part of an employer cheque; report to FTC and your bank.

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