Job Seekers Targeted By Scammers, Middlesex County Officials Warn

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office issued a fraud alert this month warning residents about employment scams targeting job seekers, citing more than 1.17 million U.S. layoffs in 2025 as a factor scammers are exploiting.

According to the alert, fraudsters create fake job advertisements on social media, online marketplaces and job search websites, and some impersonate legitimate staffing agencies and companies. The scams share a common goal of obtaining victims' personal information or access to their financial assets, officials said.

In one example cited in the alert, scammers falsely claim to represent a well-known company, such as Walmart, and direct applicants to a fraudulent website designed to appear legitimate.

The Prosecutor's Office outlined several warning signs and precautions for job seekers:

• Online ads promising unusually high pay for little work are most likely scams

• Applicants should not send money or pay any fee to apply for a job or interview

• Banking information, Social Security numbers, and copies of government-issued identification should not be provided before validating the source

• Job seekers should be cautious of employers offering a position without conducting an interview

• Applicants should independently research companies and verify that a recruiter or hiring manager is affiliated with the organization using official contact information

The alert also noted that even established job search platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed can contain fraudulent postings.

Residents who believe they have been targeted by an employment scam should stop communicating with the suspected scammer, preserve all emails, text messages and job postings, and report the incident to their local police department. Scams can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

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