Houston, we have a problem. Ghost jobs and scams are converging and it’s quickly becoming one of the most significant job search problems in modern history. Ghost jobs, postings with no real intent to hire, make up about 21% of listings, per Glassdoor. Meanwhile, the FTC notes that job scams have become incredibly sophisticated, fooling even the most tech-savvy and educated job seeker, often appearing on sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter with real company names and salaries.

Many platforms are improving the way they flag ghost postings, but the struggle to catch scams is real. New FTC data shows over $300 million in total losses from job scams, with the average victim losing around $2,000.

These aren’t sudden “get rich quick” schemes. These roles appear real in every sense of the word, that is until you’re asked for sensitive information like birthdays and social security numbers.

So how do you spot a fake job? Start by looking for the red flags. A legitimate hiring process involves a real person whose background is verifiable. Consider the source of your communication. Are you connecting on WhatsApp or over company email? Are you being asked for personal information before an interview? Has the listing been posted for weeks with no activity?

If you’re unsure about a listing, the FTC offers consumer advice and reporting tools at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Always verify listings on the company’s career website before applying, and if your gut tells you something’s off, believe it.