Remote Work Is Real — But So Are the Scams
- Grace Leota
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
9 Surefire Ways to Spot a Scam — and How to Protect Yourself
Recently I applied to a remote gig. The role looked legit. The company had a halfway decent site.
And then… in the second email — before even doing an interview — they asked me for a credit report.
Not just that, but they insisted I use a specific site to get it.
Instant red flag.
For those unfamiliar: requiring a credit report as a condition of employment is illegal in most places — especially for roles that don’t involve handling money or sensitive data.
It’s also a classic scam move.
And sadly, it’s one a lot of job seekers still fall for.
How I Handled It
I drafted a polite but firm response:
Requested my application be withdrawn
Cited the relevant labor law
Let them know — for transparency — I’d be forwarding the entire exchange to both their corporate office and the local labor agency
What Made It Feel “Legit” at First?
Look, scammy job listings are getting smarter — but this one wasn’t even pretending to be something else.
This was the actual company.
Real name. Real website.
Emails from a company domain, not Gmail.
It looked above-board… until it didn’t.
This wasn’t a fake company. This was a real company doing something shady — which is exactly why I never heard back after I cited labor law and said I’d be forwarding everything to corporate and the labor board.
They weren’t being scammed.
They were the scam.
If It Walks Like a Duck...
Listen, sometimes you’re just overthinking it. And sometimes?
If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…It’s probably a scam.
Even if it has a shiny website. Even if the recruiter sounds polite. Even if you want it to be real because you’re tired of looking.
Your gut knows.
If something feels off — don’t gaslight yourself. You’re not being paranoid. You’re being careful. And in this economy? That’s survival.
Why This Matters if You’re Moving Abroad
If you're planning to leave the U.S. and work remotely (like I am), your time and money are extra valuable. You’re probably juggling paperwork, timelines, maybe even packing your entire life into two suitcases.
Getting stuck in a scam doesn’t just waste time — it can delay your plans or cost you real money.
That’s one of the reasons I built Join Me Abroad to help burned-out people relocate smarter, safer, and with way fewer headaches.
Quick Red Flags to Watch For
Job offers without an interview, and/or cold emails (“I found your resume online”)
Misspellings in the job posting
Strange communication methods like Telegram or Google Hangouts
Emails that are not from a company domain (e.g. Gmail)
Recruiters asking for financial info, or oddly personal questions
Companies asking you to pay any upfront cost
Vague salary or role descriptions
“Contracts” that feel copy-pasted
Any request that makes you go “wait, what?”
Finally
Remote work is real. Moving abroad is possible.
But due diligence and awareness aren’t just good practice — they’re an absolute necessity.
Don’t let scammers steal your data, your money, or the life you’ve earned. BTW, I send out a free monthly email where I personally vet remote jobs and share expat news — no spam, no fluff, just real opportunities and helpful updates. Sign up here.