To report a job scam on LinkedIn, go to the Job Details page for the suspicious posting, click the More icon (three dots), and select "Report this job" from the dropdown. Choose scam or spam as the reason and follow the prompts. For scam messages or InMail, contact LinkedIn support directly through the Help Center. If you've lost money or want broader protection, escalate to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. These steps follow official LinkedIn and FTC processes as of 2026 and help protect the job search community on this major platform.
U.S. job seekers using LinkedIn for searches benefit most from this guide, as it covers platform-specific reporting tied to safe workflows on job boards. Reporting does not guarantee immediate job removal - LinkedIn reviews submissions internally without public timelines.
Spotting Job Scams on LinkedIn First
Confirm a scam before reporting to avoid flagging legitimate postings. Look for these red flags, drawn from FTC alerts on job platform scams:
- Unrealistic pay or benefits, like high hourly rates for entry-level remote work with no experience required.
- Urgent hiring pressure, such as "apply now or lose the spot."
- Requests for upfront payments, personal info like SSN, or gift cards before an offer.
- Profiles with few connections, generic photos, or recent creation dates.
- Company pages that don't match the official site or lack employee endorsements.
Verify quickly: Search the company name on its official career page and cross-check on other job boards. View the poster's profile for real activity. Scammers often impersonate known companies on LinkedIn, as noted in FTC consumer alerts. Reporting confirmed scams improves platform safety for all users.
Step-by-Step: Report a Scam Job Posting on LinkedIn
Use LinkedIn's built-in tool for job postings. You need an active account and the job visible in search results or via URL. This follows the official process outlined in the LinkedIn Help page.
- Log in to LinkedIn and navigate to the suspicious job, either from search or a shared link.
- Click the job title to open the full Job Details page.
- Locate the More icon (three horizontal dots, typically in the upper right near share/easy apply).
- Select "Report this job" from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the reason, such as "Spam" or "Scam/fraud," and provide details if prompted (e.g., why it seems fake).
- Submit the report.
LinkedIn reviews these reports per their process. No status updates follow submission - focus on your records, like screenshots of the job and report confirmation.
Report Scam Messages or InMail on LinkedIn
Job scams often start via direct messages from fake recruiters. Job posting reports don't cover these - use a separate path. This aligns with LinkedIn's guidance for recognizing and reporting scams.
- Open the scam message or InMail in your inbox.
- Note details: sender profile, message content, any links or attachments.
- Go to LinkedIn Help Center (click your profile icon > Help).
- Search for "report scam" or use the contact form under "Report a safety or policy violation."
- Describe the issue, paste message text, and include sender/profile links.
Block the sender afterward via their profile (More > Report/Block). Unlike job reports, this routes to support for faster review of member behavior.
Job Scam Reporting Checklist
Use this checklist to handle reports completely. It combines LinkedIn steps with verification and FTC escalation for a full workflow.
| Step | Action | Completed? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Spot red flags | Review pay, urgency, requests for money/info; verify company/profile. | [ ] |
| 2. Document evidence | Screenshot job details, URL, poster profile, messages; note job ID if shown. | [ ] |
| 3. Report job posting | Job Details > More (dots) > Report this job > Select scam/spam. | [ ] |
| 4. Report messages | Help Center > Contact support > Describe scam InMail with details. | [ ] |
| 5. Block sender | Profile > More > Report/Block. | [ ] |
| 6. Escalate to FTC | If money lost or persistent: ReportFraud.ftc.gov > Select job scam > Add LinkedIn info. | [ ] |
| 7. Secure account | Change password, enable 2FA, monitor for unusual activity. | [ ] |
Worked example: You see a "Google Recruiter" posting for remote work paying high salary, asking for a training fee via gift card. Screenshot everything. Report the job via More > Report this job (flag as scam). Forward message to support. File FTC report with links. Block the profile. This covers all bases.
Save the checklist as a note for future scans - print or pin it during job searches.
Escalate to FTC for U.S. Job Seekers
LinkedIn handles platform issues, but FTC tracks national patterns. Report here if:
- You lost money (e.g., paid fake fees).
- Scams persist despite reports.
- It involves off-platform follow-up tied to LinkedIn.
Steps, per the FTC job scams guide:
- Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Select "Job Scam" category.
- Enter details: LinkedIn job/message links, scammer contact, losses.
- Submit - no personal follow-up expected.
This contributes to FTC enforcement. U.S. users get priority for federal tracking.
Common Mistakes and Limits When Reporting
Skip these pitfalls for effective reports:
- Reporting legitimate jobs: Double-check red flags first.
- Forgetting screenshots: Platforms don't store your evidence.
- Ignoring messages: Job reports miss InMail scams.
- Expecting instant action: LinkedIn reviews without timelines; no guarantees on removal.
- Overlooking verification: Fake profiles mimic real ones - cross-check company sites.
Limits include no public report status and potential for scammers to repost under new accounts. Build safer habits: Stick to "Easy Apply" from verified companies, avoid clicking external links, and use job alerts sparingly.
Next Steps After Reporting
Post-report:
- Monitor your LinkedIn notifications and email for follow-up.
- Continue searches: Filter for company-followed jobs or use verified job boards.
- Secure your setup: Update passwords, freeze credit if info shared, watch bank statements.
- Adopt platform tools: Enable LinkedIn job alerts with company filters; pair with apps offering scam detection for broader hunts.
If targeted repeatedly, pause direct messaging responses. Verify all opportunities via official company careers pages before engaging.
FAQ
Does LinkedIn remove reported scam jobs?
LinkedIn reviews reports but provides no timelines or guarantees - focus on your documentation.
What if the scam starts on LinkedIn but moves off-platform?
Report to LinkedIn first, then prioritize FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov with all details.
Can employers report scams on LinkedIn?
Yes, U.S. employers use the same Job Details > Report this job steps for fake postings harming their brand.