North Carolina Attorney General Warns of Surge in Job Scams Targeting Applicants

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning residents about a rise in employment scams targeting job seekers across the state.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, scammers are increasingly posing as legitimate recruiters, conducting fake interviews, and creating convincing job offers in an effort to steal money and personal information.

“Job seekers deserve to find work without being targeted by scammers who exploit their trust,” Jackson said. “If a job offer seems too good to be true or a recruiter is pressuring you to act fast, take the time to do your research before moving forward.”

Officials say these scams often begin with fraudulent job postings on popular employment websites or through unexpected contact via phone, text, email, or social media. Many of the fake positions advertise high pay with little experience required or promise remote work opportunities to attract applicants.

Victims are frequently taken through what appears to be a legitimate hiring process, including interviews, paperwork, and even offer letters. Once trust is established, scammers request sensitive personal or financial information such as Social Security numbers and bank account details, or they ask for payments for items like training, equipment, or background checks.

Authorities emphasize that legitimate employers will not ask applicants to send money as part of the hiring process.

To avoid falling victim, officials recommend never sharing personal or financial information early in the application process, being cautious of unsolicited job offers, and verifying employers by researching companies and contacting them directly using official information.

Anyone who believes they have encountered an employment scam is encouraged to file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division online or by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

State officials say awareness and caution are key as scammers continue to evolve their tactics to target job seekers.