Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Commissioner Luke Farley Warn North Carolinians About Employment Scams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
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RALEIGH - Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley warned North Carolinians about an increase of employment scams where criminals pose as recruiters, conduct fake interviews, and steal money or personal information from job seekers.

"These scams are especially cruel because they target people who are actively trying to improve their lives," said Attorney General Jackson. "Someone thinks they've landed a real opportunity - and instead they get scammed."

"North Carolinians should be able to trust that a job opportunity is legitimate and that they'll be paid what they're owed," said Commissioner Luke Farley. "Unfortunately, bad actors are not only scamming applicants on the front end, but in some cases exploiting workers after they're hired. Our department is committed to protecting workers and making sure they receive every dollar they earn."

How Employment Scams Work

Scammers post fake job listings on well-known online job boards. They also can contact you directly by phone call, text message, email, or on social media platforms. Scammers may reach out unsolicited with the promise of high-paying jobs that require few or no qualifications, or the opportunity to work from home.

Victims are often put through what appears to be a real hiring process. They receive interviews, onboarding paperwork, and even offer letters. Eventually, the scammer requests sensitive personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers or bank details, or asks the victim to send money for supposed "training," "equipment," or "background checks."

"I was contacted through a legitimate job board and went through what felt like a real interview process, complete with an offer letter using a company's name and logo," said Ivy, a North Carolinian who was targeted by an employment scammer. "It wasn't until I saw a warning from the company's CEO that I realized it was a scam. These schemes are incredibly convincing, and it's frightening how easily they can target people who are simply looking to better their lives."

This can look like your credit card being charged without permission, or a fake check scheme where the scammer sends you a check, asks you to send some money back, and then the check bounces. The bank requires you to repay the full amount, while the scammer keeps the money you sent. After the money or data is handed over, the scammer disappears.

In some cases, victims only realize they were scammed after their bank accounts are drained.

A Growing Problem Nationwide

Employment scams are not new, but they are on the rise alongside the growth of remote work and online hiring. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing $501 million dollars to this type of scam in 2024. Losses from these scams nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024.

Individuals on fixed incomes, seniors, and those reentering the workforce or seeking flexible employment may be especially susceptible to employment scams.

Attorney General Jackson emphasized that victims of these scams should not feel embarrassed or ashamed.

"The people who fall for these scams aren't reckless - they're hopeful," he said. "They're parents, students, veterans, and workers just trying to get ahead. These criminals exploit that hope, and that's what makes this especially disturbing."

Before You Accept a Job Offer

If a job seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers prey on people who need a job or extra income. The Attorney General's Office encourages North Carolinians to consider the following before accepting a job offer:

• Search online for the name of the company or recruiter. See if others say they have been scammed by that company or person. Even if it appears to be from a familiar company or if the job was posted on a reputable job board, find the company's website and call the company directly to verify that the job listing is accurate - especially if you did not apply directly to that company.

• Requests for upfront payments for training, equipment, or background checks are common scam tactics. Legitimate employers do not charge applicants. Be suspicious if an employer sends you a check to purchase equipment and then asks you to use the money to purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency or return unspent funds.

• Requests for sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank routing numbers may be a red flag. Legitimate employers collect this information through a secure portal and take steps to protect your data. If an employer asks for this information, request to submit the information through a company-provided, encrypted online portal.

Reporting Scams and Wage Theft

If you think that you or someone you know has been scammed, contact our office's Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/. Consumer complaints help our team identify threats and hold scammers accountable.

If you believe you have been a victim of wage theft - such as unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, or not receiving your final paycheck - you can contact the North Carolina Department of Labor at 1-800-NC-LABOR (1-800-625-2267) to file a complaint with the NCDOL Wage and Hour Bureau. The NC Department of Labor investigates these claims and works to recover unpaid wages for workers across North Carolina.

You can read our employment scam resource here.

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