Hey guys just getting out, Don't get Scammed!
- Larry Ballesteros
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
“Too Good to Be True”: Job Scams Targeting Formerly Incarcerated People
Introduction
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a man in Washington State was offered what sounded like a fresh start through a job posted on a major job website. He was asked to research commercial real estate pricing for a warehouse supposedly relocating from Texas. After completing detailed reports, the employer sent him a check and instructed him to deposit it, keep a portion, and transfer the remainder.His bank made the funds available in three days — appearing to show the check had cleared. He sent the money as instructed. Days later, the check bounced. He was left owing $3,500, his bank account was closed, and he had to borrow money to repay the bank.This is a textbook example of a fake-check job scam, one of the most common forms of employment fraud in the United States.
1. The Big Picture: Job Scams Are Exploding
Job scams have sharply increased in recent years. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI have published multiple warnings about fraudulent job listings.Key data sources:
Fake job postings often appear on legitimate platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter — a tactic scammers use to appear legitimate even when the employer is not.
2. Why Formerly Incarcerated People Are Targeted
Formerly incarcerated individuals are disproportionately targeted by job scammers because:- They need income quickly.- They may lack strong digital scam-awareness training.- They rely heavily on online job searches.- Many are eager to accept remote, flexible work.Scammers understand these vulnerabilities and craft offers designed to appear safe, urgent, and legitimate.
3. How the Fake-Check Job Scam Works
Fake-check scams follow a predictable pattern:1. The victim receives a job offer — often remote.2. They complete simple tasks to build trust.3. The scammer sends a large check for ‘equipment’ or ‘advance pay.’4. The victim is told to deposit the check, keep a portion, and send the rest.5. The bank makes funds available before the check is fully verified.6. The victim sends real money.7. The check eventually bounces — leaving the victim responsible for the full amount.This timing delay is the entire basis of the scam.
4. Other Common Job Scams Affecting Re-Entry Populations
A. Work-from-home fake jobs — extremely common on Reddit’s r/Scams.Users report text-only interviews, fake recruiters, and fraudulent checks.
Examples: Reddit r/Scams – Job Scam Stories
B. Pay-to-work scams — scammers ask victims to pay upfront for training, equipment, or background checks.C. Reshipping scams — victims unknowingly receive and resend stolen goods.D. Task-based scams — ‘boost my app,’ ‘like my posts,’ and other micro-task scams requiring upfront investment.E. Company impersonation — fake HR staff posing as real companies.
5. Real Stories From Online Communities
On Reddit and other social media, thousands of users report identical scam patterns:- Checks for equipment purchases.- Pressure to act quickly.- Fake companies or impersonated recruiters.- Victims losing hundreds to thousands of dollars.
More real stories: Reddit Job Scam Search Results
6. A Safety Checklist for Re-Entry Workers
NEVER:- Deposit a check and forward money.- Pay for a job.- Use Cash App, Zelle, or gift cards for employers.- Accept jobs that only communicate via WhatsApp or Telegram.ALWAYS:- Verify employers using official websites.
Check company legitimacy: LinkedIn Company Directory
- Call the company’s HR department to confirm the job.- Prioritize union jobs, verified employers, and trusted workforce agencies.
7. What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Contact your bank immediately.- File an FTC report.
FTC reporting link: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File an FBI IC3 report: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Check scams via BBB: BBB Scam Tracker
- Consider a credit freeze.- Learn the scam pattern to avoid future losses.
8. Using Your Story to Help Others
Your experience can be turned into a powerful teaching tool. You can share this information with halfway houses, re-entry programs, community centers, or veterans’ groups. Awareness is the strongest protection against scams.