Key insights
Whether you’re actively job hunting or just open to opportunities, these numbers about job scams are worth your attention:
- Employment scam losses have grown more than fivefold — from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million in 2024.
- Employment scam reports doubled in just one year. Over the past three years, nearly 50,000 people reported employment scams to the Better Business Bureau — and last year, reports doubled compared to the year before.
- A shaky job market gives scammers more targets. Layoff announcements reached 1.17 million in 2025 — the highest since the 2020 pandemic. More job seekers mean more people willing to take a chance on an unexpected offer.
- AI has made scams harder to spot. Misspelled emails from sketchy addresses are giving way to polished, professional-sounding recruiter messages. More than 80% of phishing attempts now use AI — and AI phishing is 4.5 times more profitable than older phishing methods.
- Scammers mimic real hiring processes. Online criminals create fake recruiter profiles, send links to download “meeting software,” conduct multi-stage interviews, and even provide forged employment contracts. Their goal is to extract personal information or upfront payments from the victims.
- Holiday weekends are prime time for employment scams. Scammers time their attacks for periods when IT and security teams run at reduced capacity — and when job seekers are most eager to respond.
If a dream job lands in your inbox out of nowhere, be extra cautious — and follow the advice below.
What our expert says
To stay safe during the hiring surge, Tomas Sinicki, managing director at Coveron, recommends:
- Verify every job posting directly on the company’s official career page before applying.
- Be wary of any employer who communicates only through encrypted messaging apps — it’s most likely a scam.
- Never pay for equipment, training, or background checks during the hiring process — legitimate employers cover these costs.
- Cross-reference the recruiter’s profile on professional networks to confirm they’re a verified employee of the company they claim to work for.
- Use an identity theft protection service that includes online fraud insurance — it will help you recover from online employment scams and serve as a financial safety net if a fake job offer does slip through.
To be safe, contact the company through its official website or phone number before sharing any personal information.
Methodology and sources
This article is based on “Job scams are getting more sophisticated, and they’re costing Americans millions” by Jacqueline Munis opens in a new tab (Fortune, June 27, 2026), and “Layoff announcements top 1.1 million this year, the most since 2020 pandemic” by Jeff Cox opens in a new tab (CNBC, December 4, 2025).
What is Scam-o-Meter?
Scam-o-Meter is an ongoing Coveron series where we keep track of online fraud. In each installment, we look at different scam or fraud trends, break down how they work, and share practical tips on how to protect yourself. We also share the latest data from official sources — like the FTC and the U.S. Department of Education.
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