How to Spot Fake Internship Offers

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Cybercrime is a growing issue worldwide, creating financial losses for businesses and individuals. Research shows that the annual global cost of cybercrime is estimated to reach approximately $15.6 trillion by 2029.

Scammers are increasingly using fraudulent internship offers to target students and graduates. If you’re looking for an internship yourself, don’t worry: you can take steps to protect yourself from fraudsters. 

Key Findings

• Fake internship offers are a growing cybercrime tactic used to steal personal data, money, and access to devices from students and graduates.
• Common red flags include too-good-to-be-true perks, unprofessional writing, missing company information, personal email addresses, no interview process, and requests for upfront payments.
• Scammers aim to harvest identity documents and bank details, extort fees, or install malware through phishing links and malicious attachments.
• You can protect yourself by using reputable job sites, verifying senders, creating strong passwords, enabling MFA, and installing security software.
• If you suspect a scam, research the company, resist pressure tactics, trust your instincts, and report the offer to national fraud authorities such as the FTC, Action Fraud, or the ACCC.

What Are Fake Internship Offers

Many students know what careers they want to pursue after graduation. Internships provide job-seekers with an opportunity to enter their field of interest, gain experience, and potentially get hired. 

But competition for internships can be fierce, and students may take any opportunities offered to them. Scammers understand how difficult it can be to secure an internship. By offering a foot in the door, fraudsters exploit people looking for valuable work experience.

Through applications, scammers can capture information to use in identity theft and financial fraud. Perpetrators may also request upfront payments from applicants to cover the cost of training, background checks, and other standard processes.

What Are Red Flags for Fake Internship Offers

Fake internship offers may look professional and credible. Offers that are clearly false won’t convince anyone.

However, many fraudulent internship offers feature telltale signs, as with other types of scams. Watching out for common red flags will help you recognize untrustworthy ads and avoid problems.

The Internship Seems Unbelievably Perfect

Fraudulent internship offers may promise high rates of pay and other perks with short working hours. Ads could also include fake statistics about the number of interns who secure a full-time work placement. 

Approach any offers that seem too good to be true with caution. Businesses offering legitimate internships may be upfront about how challenging the work is to avoid wasting anyone’s time.

Unprofessional Writing Styles

Reputable companies take internships seriously. They should represent themselves in a professional manner at all stages of finding interns.

Fake offers may lack the finesse of real ones. Scammers might punctuate ads with exclamation points to add a sense of urgency and appear friendly. They may not realize that companies will generally avoid quirks in their internship listings. Authentic ads usually are more formal and polished.

Additionally, watch out for typo-heavy emails or messages written by someone with a poor grasp of business terminology. A few mistakes might not signal a scam, but frequent errors and confusing language may. 

Fraudsters may even address you by the wrong name, which genuine hires are unlikely to do. Many businesses use applicant tracking systems to avoid mistakes and keep the hiring process smooth.

Scam emails could also lack signatures and contact details, indicating that the sender doesn’t want to be found.

Lack of Business Information

Listings for non-existent internships often carry little to no information about the company. The emphasis will usually be on the internship’s benefits to generate interest. Eager students and graduates may not consider the lack of company details an issue and reach out anyway.

If you can’t find any information about the business offering the internship, that’s a major red flag. Beware of made-up companies with no website, no social media accounts, and no other visible online presence.

Questionable Contact Details

Companies advertising real internships usually include a professional email address. The email account may even be created specifically for receiving applications, such as [email protected]. The email address should match the business’s domain.

Fake internship offers are likely to feature a personal email address with no company branding. Scammers might use a false name or a random mix of numbers and letters to remain anonymous.

No Interest in Interviews

Businesses invest time and money into searching for the best interns. Before they offer you an internship, potential employers might ask you to attend multiple interviews.

But fraudsters are likely to skip or downplay the interview process. They may claim that you’re the ideal choice after a quick email conversation or even offer you the internship immediately. 

If there’s no mention of interviews and you’re asked to send your personal information right away, go no further.

However, some scammers may arrange interviews to build trust in victims. Instead of meeting in an office, though, fraudsters are likely to request a voice or video call only. 

You may spot certain giveaways, such as the “interviewer” being in a public place or at home. Scammers might have an awkward manner and deflect your questions about the internship. 

Occasionally, scammers will be better prepared and more convincing, so pay attention to other red flags to avoid issues.

Requests for Payments to Cover Fees

Securing an internship will never cost you money. Yes, you may need to pay for fuel or train tickets for an on-site interview. But a reputable business will never request payment for giving you an opportunity or to cover fees.

Experienced fraudsters will give reasons for demanding money, and they might appear reasonable. Perhaps you’ll pay to compensate the business for the expense of checking your education background or providing training. Perhaps you’ll have access to costly devices and need to pay a deposit in case they’re damaged.

Whatever the explanation, asking for payment can indicate that an internship offer is fake. If you send money to scammers, they’ll disappear, and you may never recover those funds.

What Do Scammers Want from Students and Graduates

Fraudsters target students and graduates for various reasons. Being aware of a scammer’s motivations and goals is important for staying safe.

Stealing Personal Data

Fake internship offers are often designed to harvest personal information from students and graduates. 

Scammers may ask for a copy of your passport or driving licence to verify your identity. Alternatively, you might receive requests for your bank account details to ensure that your salary goes to the right place.

But if you send information, fraudsters can use it to impersonate you. Identity thieves could access your bank account or make unauthorized purchases with your credit card. The perpetrators may sign into your email accounts and get additional information about you, too.

Furthermore, scam artists could sell your personal details to criminal organizations. Information may be used in extortion and other major crimes.

Claiming Money for Personal Gain

Requesting money is a quick way for fraudsters to profit from young people who want to start their careers.

An internship offer may present you with an opportunity you feel you can’t refuse. Paying for training and other essential aspects of the role may seem like a small sacrifice.

However, scammers will either vanish after receiving your funds or request more for “additional expenses”. Sadly, you will have lost money and have nothing to show for it.

Access to Devices

Bad actors can create listings for non-existent internships to launch phishing scams. 

Anyone interested in becoming an intern may send an email for further information. The culprits could then reply with a message containing links, attachments, or QR codes.

By clicking on a link, downloading a file, or scanning QR codes, you may inadvertently download malware. Fraudsters can use malware to access infected devices and steal information. 

Additionally, some malware (ransomware) will encrypt files until a ransom is paid. Such attacks are common — usually companies get attacked, but ransomware can be used for individual people too. 

If a scammer has access to your devices, your personal information, finances, and valuable files could be at risk.

How to Protect Yourself Against Scams

Fake internship offers are a common concern, but you can use several techniques to reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Reinforce Your Device Security

Protecting your devices and data will help you keep scammers at bay. 

Install antivirus software and keep it updated. Reputable software should detect threats and defend your system against malware.

Wherever it’s available, take advantage of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your accounts. You’ll need to verify your identity in different ways, such as scanning your fingerprint and entering a one-use code.

You can also install a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and protect your information. Using a VPN will keep your connection safe on public Wi-Fi, such as at university libraries or coffee shops. Next-gen antivirus from NordVPN bundles malware protection into the same app, so you're not juggling multiple security tools at once.

Only Visit Reputable Job Sites

Search for internship listings on well-known platforms, such as LinkedIn, instead of sites you’ve never seen before. 

Scammers may create dedicated websites to promote fake opportunities. If you sign up with a questionable site, you could make yourself vulnerable to fraud.

Speak to fellow students, friends, and family for news on local internships. People in your social circle may have seen advertisements for opportunities that don’t suit them but fit your profile. 

And if you see any internships recommended on social media, investigate them before you take action.

Ultimately, looking for internships and jobs can be difficult if you’re not sure what you want to do yet. You may feel as if you’re being pushed and pulled in different directions. A trusted career-planning resource can help you find the right path for your future. But only put your details into a career-planning site if you know it’s safe to do so.

Create Strong Passwords for All Accounts

Once scammers have your personal information, they may try to access your accounts on various platforms. An internship application might request your name, address, contact information, and date of birth. Bad actors can use your details to try to guess your passwords.

While you can take numerous steps to protect your accounts, setting up solid passwords is one of the simplest. 

A strong password should contain at least 16 characters, combining letters, symbols, and numbers. Switching between lowercase and uppercase letters will make your password more resilient, too.

Never use predictable passwords (such as sequential numbers), your own name, or anything else that’s easy to guess. Additionally, a password manager will store your passwords safely, so you won’t need to remember them.

Verify the Source of Emails from New Contacts

Has a stranger sent you an email to offer you an internship? If so, don’t reply immediately. 

The sender might claim that they heard about you from another job you’ve applied for or through a mutual contact. Even if either claim is viable, assume that someone is trying to scam you.

To verify the sender’s identity, search for their email address online. You may discover that the individual appears legitimate right away, or you could struggle to find a single trace of them.

Only respond if you feel sure the sender has a genuine reason to contact you and is representing themselves truthfully.

Stay Updated on Scam Alerts

Scammers use many methods to target students and graduates, not just fake internships. Staying up to date on the latest scam alerts can help you recognize other fraudulent activities.

If you believe an offer is fraudulent, report it to your country's consumer protection or cybercrime authority — such as the FTC in the United States, Action Fraud in the UK, or the ACCC in Australia. Most countries have a dedicated reporting channel, and filing a report helps authorities track patterns and warn others.

What Should You Do If Scammers Target You with Fake Internship Offers

Finding an internship offer that suits your professional goals, personal interests, and career plans is exciting. However, always consider internship listings and direct offers carefully. A diligent approach could save you time, money, and hassle.

Check Up on the Business

If you believe an internship offer is fake, look into the business behind it. Research the name provided across multiple online channels, including review sites and social media. You may find that the business appears legitimate and reliable.

But what if the people offering the internship have no online presence at all? A lack of branded websites, social media accounts, or reviews indicates that a business is fake. 

Real companies understand how important it is to be visible online. Avoid dealing with anyone who purports to be from a business that doesn’t seem to exist. Scammers may have learnt how to manipulate people well, so remain firm even if they’re persistent.

Don’t Give in to Pressure

Fraudsters often try to pressure people into going along with their requests. Bad actors may play on your ambition, the uncertainty of finding a job, and pride to persuade you.

Legitimate businesses will never force you into taking any action when applying for an internship. A good human resources team will follow professional practices and ensure that you’re right for the role. You won’t be pressured into submitting your personal details or joining a phone interview outside of standard business hours.

If you feel that a contact is trying to force you to do anything, stop communicating with them. You may avoid being scammed.

Listen to Your Instincts

Does an internship listing seem off for any reason? Maybe there are too many perks or the tone is surprisingly unprofessional. 

Whatever the issue, don’t make contact immediately. Trust your instincts and consider the potential fallout of interacting with a scammer.

Compare the listing to others, whether they’re in your area or not. A trustworthy advertisement for an internship should look much more credible than a fake one.

However, some scammers can create convincing work, so don’t reach out based on an ad only. Look into a company’s credentials, and only get in touch if you have a good feeling about it.

Report Scams to the Authorities

If you believe an internship offer is a scam, report it to your country's national fraud or cybercrime authority. Filing a report helps law enforcement track patterns and potentially shut down operations targeting others.

You should also report scam listings to any platform hosting them. When fake internship ads are removed, fewer people will become victims.

Searching for Internships Safely

Once you finish your studies, internships are one of the most effective ways to turn your degree into real-world experience.

But once you understand the many risks out there, you may feel nervous or unmotivated to apply for internships.

While being aware is important, don’t let possible scams deter you from finding an opportunity that fits you. Numerous reputable companies in diverse industries offer internships, helping people like you gain invaluable experience.

Educating yourself on the fake internship offers affecting students and graduates can help you stay safe. Search for opportunities on trusted job sites and even reach out to businesses directly. Decision-makers may appreciate your proactive approach and offer guidance on achieving your goals.

What else can you do? Install effective security software, research companies mentioned in internship offers, and never feel pressured into sending information or money. Stay vigilant and updated on scams, and finding your ideal internship should be simpler.

References:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — Job and Employment Scams
• Action Fraud (UK) — National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre
• ACCC Scamwatch (Australia)
• NordVPN — Cybersecurity Statistics
• HR Dive — Job Seekers Skeptical of Recruiter Outreach Scams
• Chelsea Groton — Seven Common Pressure Tactics Used by Scammers