Middlesex County prosecutors warn scammers are posing as real companies and recruiters
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – A promising job listing could be a trap designed to steal money, banking details or a Social Security number, prompting Middlesex County prosecutors to warn job seekers about scammers impersonating legitimate companies and staffing agencies across popular online platforms.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office issued the employment scam alert amid a labor market that saw more than 1.17 million layoffs by U.S. employers in 2025.
Officials said scammers are taking advantage of people searching for new work by creating fraudulent job advertisements.
Fake jobs can look like the real thing
Fraudulent listings can appear on social media, online marketplaces and job-search websites.
Prosecutors warned that even established employment platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed can contain fraudulent postings.
Some schemes go further by impersonating recognizable businesses or legitimate staffing agencies.
In one example cited by prosecutors, scammers may falsely claim to represent a major company such as Walmart before directing applicants to a fraudulent website designed to appear authentic.
The objective can be obtaining personal information, gaining access to financial assets or convincing a victim to send money.
Huge pay for little work is a warning sign
Job seekers should be suspicious of advertisements promising unusually high compensation for minimal work, prosecutors said.
Another major warning sign is a supposed employer offering a position without first conducting an interview.
Applicants should independently research a company and confirm that a recruiter or hiring manager actually works for the organization by contacting it through verified, official channels.
Never pay to apply for a job
Prosecutors warned applicants never to send money or pay a fee to submit a job application or obtain an interview.
Job seekers should also avoid providing banking information, Social Security numbers, copies of government-issued identification or other sensitive information until they have independently verified the source.
Anyone who believes they have encountered an employment scam should stop communicating with the suspected fraudster and preserve emails, text messages and job postings.
Suspected scams can be reported to local police, the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
Key Points
- Middlesex County prosecutors are warning job seekers about fraudulent employment advertisements and scammers impersonating legitimate businesses and staffing agencies.
- Officials warn against paying application or interview fees and providing banking, Social Security or identification information before independently verifying an employer.
- Fake job listings can appear even on established employment websites, and suspected scams should be documented and reported.
