How to Avoid Remote Job Scams (and Find Legit Remote Work)
Remote job scams are on the rise, and if you’re searching for a legit remote job, it’s something you need to watch out for.
Scammers are getting smarter, blending fake job postings into real job boards. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to get caught up in an offer that looks perfect on the surface but turns out to be anything but legit.
In this post, I’m showing you exactly how to spot a remote job scam, avoid the most common red flags, and protect yourself during your remote job search. You’ll learn how to verify if a remote job is real, what warning signs to look for, and how to stay one step ahead so you can focus on landing flexible, freedom-filled roles without getting played.
Let’s break it down.
Use Trusted Remote Job Sites
Here’s a list of The 10 Best Sites for Finding Remote Jobs. These sites get my stamp of approval for posting legitimate remote work opportunities.
One of my favorite remote job sites is FlexJobs. They have a real person review each job posting for legitimacy. You have to pay about $14.95/month, but if you’re unhappy, you can get a refund within 30 days. What I also like about FlexJobs is that they post a wide variety of remote job roles, whereas other remote job boards post jobs that lean toward developers, designers, marketers, or writers.
Use Proper Search Terms in Google
When it comes to finding a remote job, there are certain keywords you’ll want to avoid when searching Google. That being said, there are also certain words or phrases that you will want to use to discover legitimate opportunities.
Keywords to Avoid
Make money online
Make money from home
Quick money
Keywords to Use
Distributed team
Remote work
Remote-first
Location independent
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What Are the Red Flags of a Remote Job Scam?
Here are some more ‘red flags’ that may indicate whether a remote job opportunity is legitimate or a scam.
They want to hire you for a job you never applied for.
If a company contacts you saying they want to hire you for a job you never applied to, that’s a red flag for a scam. Legitimate companies would never hire someone without first interviewing them.The job offers a large salary for “easy" work.
If the job offers a large salary for “easy” work or “quick money.” Say they’re promising 6-figures for doing admin work, clearly, that seems too good to be true, and doesn’t line up with typical salaries.They require you to pay or invest upfront.
A legitimate remote company would never require you to pay or invest money up front. Requesting you “pay” for equipment or such is a huge red flag for a scam.
Spelling or grammar errors within the job postings and emails.
This is a pretty straightforward red flag. If a company has a lot of spelling or grammar errors within the job posting or emails they’re sending you, I’d be cautious. It’s not professional and can be an indication that the remote job is a scam.Not using a professional email.
Always be sure to check the email of the person contacting you and see if it’s professional. For example. if they use joesanders@gmail.com vs j.sander@companyname.com. Obviously, the latter is more professional.
Google the Company
A good way to find out if a company or remote job opportunity is legitimate or a scam is to simply Google the company. Once you do a basic Google search, I’d also suggest using the following phrases in Google as well:
“[insert company name] reviews”. With company reviews, you’ll see what other people have to say about the company and this can be a good indication if it’s a legitimate remote job opportunity or a scam.
“[insert company name] scam”. This is a great way to easily catch if the company is a part of a bigger scam. With the bigger scams usually, you’ll be able to find more about it just by Googling.
Google the Person Contacting You
It’s also a good idea to Google the person who is contacting you. You can copy their email and put it into Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. And then you can do another Google search with that person’s name (as opposed to just their email). It’s the 21st century, so if they don’t show up on LinkedIn or Google, along with other things that don’t seem to “be right”, it may be an indication that it’s not a legitimate remote job opportunity.
“And remember, always listen to your gut. If something seems “too good to be true,” it likely is.”
Final Thoughts: Don’t Get Scammed, Get Smart
Remote job scams are getting sneakier, but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of every opportunity. The key is staying informed, slowing down the process, and trusting your instincts. Before you apply or accept a remote job offer, ask yourself:
✔️ Did I find this job through a trusted platform or referral?
✔️ Does the company have a legitimate website and online presence?
✔️ Are there any red flags like upfront payments, vague communication, or too-good-to-be-true salaries?
If you’re ever unsure, step back, do more research, and don’t be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of real, exciting remote opportunities out there.
Want help landing a legit remote job?
Worried about getting scammed while job searching? Grab my free Remote Career Playbook to learn the 6 steps to land a legit remote job (and avoid the fakes).
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To verify if a remote job is legitimate, start by researching and Googling the company. Look for a professional website, a LinkedIn page with active employees, and company reviews on sites like Glassdoor.
Legitimate employers won't ask you to pay upfront for anything, and their communication will typically come from a professional email address, not a generic Gmail or Yahoo account. And legitimate remote companies never communicate via WhatsApp or Telegram.
If anything feels off, trust your gut and dig deeper. -
Yes, unfortunately remote job scams have become increasingly common, especially as more people look for flexible work-from-home options. Scammers prey on job seekers’ desire for freedom by creating fake listings that sound too good to be true. The good news is, with the right awareness and tools, you can avoid them and focus on real opportunities.
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Some of the biggest red flags include:
Requests for payment upfront
Vague job descriptions
High pay for little or no experience
Poor grammar in emails or messages
Job offers without an interview
Pressure to make quick decisions
If you see any of these, pause and investigate further. Scammers rely on urgency and lack of research—don’t give them either.
Want a proven system to land legit remote jobs? Grab my free Remote Career Playbook for step-by-step strategies that actually get results.
