Trust & Safety at Philly Hired

At Philly Hired, our mission is to keep Philadelphia working. We are proud to be a hyper-local resource, but because we operate in the digital space, it is vital that our community remains vigilant against recruitment fraud and employment scams.

Your safety is our priority. Below is a guide on how to identify potential scams and how to protect your personal information during your job search.

How to Spot a Job Scam

Scammers often pose as recruiters or employers to steal money or personal identity information. Watch out for these common warning signs:

  • You’re asked to pay for equipment: A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay upfront for a laptop, software, or "start-up kit" with the promise of reimbursement.
  • The "Check Cashing" Scam: If an employer sends you a check and asks you to deposit it, keep a portion, and wire the rest back to a "vendor," this is a scam. The check will eventually bounce, and you will be held responsible by your bank.
  • The Interview is "Chat Only": Be wary of companies that hire you based solely on a text-based platform (like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Signal) without a video call or an in-person meeting at a physical Philadelphia-area office.
  • The Salary is Too Good to Be True: If a role offers $50/hour for basic data entry with no experience required, it is likely a phishing attempt.
  • Unprofessional Communication: Frequent typos, overly urgent language, or emails sent from generic domains (e.g., companyhr-philly@gmail.com instead of @companyname.com) are major red Flags.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Research the Company: Since we focus on the Greater Philadelphia area, many of our employers have physical footprints. Check their LinkedIn page, Glassdoor reviews, and verify their local office address.
  • Keep Communication on Platform: When possible, keep your initial interactions within the Philly Hired ecosystem or via official corporate email addresses.
  • Protect Your SSN: Never provide your Social Security Number, bank account details, or a copy of your ID during the initial application phase. This information should only be shared after you have signed an official offer letter and verified the company’s legitimacy.
  • Trust Your Gut: If a situation feels "off" or the recruiter is being pushy, pause the conversation and do more research.

Our Commitment to You

Philly Hired takes proactive steps to maintain a high-quality marketplace:

  1. Employer Vetting: We review new employer accounts to ensure they are legitimate businesses operating within the Greater Philadelphia region.
  2. Scam Monitoring: Our team monitors every job posting for suspicious language and reported IP addresses associated with known fraudulent activity.
  3. Rapid Removal: We reserve the right to remove any job posting or employer account that violates our Terms of Service or poses a threat to our users.

How to Report a Suspicious Listing

If you see a job posting on Philly Hired that looks suspicious, or if you have been contacted by someone claiming to be an employer who fits the "Red Flags" listed above, please let us know immediately.

Have you been a victim of a scam? In addition to reporting it to us, we recommend filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local Philadelphia police precinct.