Working from home scams: the job that asks you to pay or cash a check first
Quick answer
A work-from-home job that asks you to pay a fee first, or sends you a check and tells you to forward part of it, is a scam. The FTC says no honest employer will send a check and ask you to send on some of the money or buy gift cards. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
The FTC says scammers often advertise online and promise big monthly earnings for little effort. The "job" can be anything from reshipping products to selling things to people you know.
A common pattern is a fee before any work starts. You're told a job is waiting if you just pay for certification, training, equipment or supplies.
Another is the fake check. You're sent a check, told to deposit it and then send part of the money on, or to buy gift cards with it. The FTC's June 2025 alert says no honest potential employer will ever do this.
Either way the goal is your money, and sometimes your personal details for the "application".
Red flags
- Big pay for little effort, with no interview
- A fee for training, certification, equipment or supplies
- A check you must deposit, then send part of it on
- A request to buy gift cards with the money
- A job offered by text, email or social message you didn't ask for
- Work that involves reshipping products or re-selling to people you know
Example message
We reviewed your profile and have a remote position paying [amount] a week. No experience needed. Reply here to start; a small fee covers your training kit.
What to do
- 1
Stop and don't pay
Don't pay a fee for a job. Don't deposit a check and send money on.
- 2
Check the employer yourself
Look up the company on its own website and contact it through details you find yourself.
- 3
If you paid or deposited a check, call your bank
Use the number on your card or bank's website. Tell them it was fraud right away; a deposited check can later bounce, leaving you owing the money.
- 4
If you shared personal details
Change passwords you reused and consider a credit freeze. Watch your accounts for new activity.
- 5
Report it
Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and, if you lost money, at ic3.gov.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers get names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses from people-search sites and from data breaches. A job offer that mentions your real name or town is easier to believe. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list you and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
Are all work-from-home jobs scams?
No, but a job that charges you to start or sends you a check to forward is one.
Would an employer send me a check and ask me to send some back?
The FTC says no honest potential employer will do that, or ask you to buy gift cards with the money.
Can a legitimate employer ask for training fees?
The FTC flags demands for payment for certification, training, equipment or supplies before work starts as a scam pattern.
Where do I report one?
At reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
