Sadly, scams are all the rage these days – from fake job offers and claims of credit card use, to catfishing and data theft.

Unfortunately, you can never be 100% safe from job scams. Scammers are constantly “reinventing” such schemes, and if you happen to be in need of a job and are vulnerable in that regard, you just might fall prey to an offer that’s too good to be true.

The most popular types of such scams include those that allow you to “work from home”; emailed job offers; fake government and delivery jobs; nonexistent placement schemes; suspicious offers on social media; fake recruitment websites; and even scams on verified job sites.

Here are nine basic tips to help you identify and steer clear of such ploys.

1. Do an online search

Google the company, the employer, or the recruiter, and see what pops up. If you are emailed a job offer from someone claiming to be a recruiter, look them up online to see if their claim stands.

Websites such as LinkedIn can help you distinguish the real from the fake.

2. Talk to someone you trust

If you come across an offer that seems too good to be true – for example, a promise of great pay in exchange for minimal skills – show the listing to someone you know and trust, who might be able to give you a valuable second opinion on its authenticity.

3. Don’t pay for the promise of a job

If you are required to pay for a job, it’s sure to be a scam. A job is based on merit, skills and qualifications – in short, you have to deserve it.

4. Connect with the company

Did you see a job offer on social media that’s supposedly from a company? Don’t take everything at face value. Shoot them an email asking if the offer is legit or, at the very least, check the company’s website to see if the listing exists.

5. Never agree to transfers

Wire transfers are common among thieves, so if you get an email asking you to send funds, that’s your sign it’s a scam.

6. ‘No experience’ a no-no

As mentioned, any job that pays a decent amount of money will require a certain level of knowledge or experience in the field. So, if the offer promises decent or easy money for little to no skills, it’s very likely a no-no.

7. Don’t provide bank details

While you will eventually need to provide sensitive information such as your bank details to your employer, no legit company would ever ask for your bank details before you actually settle into the job.

8. Don’t ‘act fast’

Don’t interact with “employers” who urge you to act fast. A typical sign of a hoax is when the scammer urges you to quickly seal the deal and give them money or personal info.

A normal hiring process takes one to three weeks, depending on company procedure. So, any employer who offers a superfast hiring process is bound to be a scammer.

9. Don’t accept if you didn’t apply

Sometimes, scammers will contact you out of nowhere, saying you’re hired for a job you didn’t even apply for. The answer here is obvious. Do. Not. Respond.