DeKalb, IL – Northern Illinois University police are alerting students and residents to a rise in job-related scams, urging the community to stay vigilant as fraudulent employment schemes continue to circulate.
According to Northern Illinois University Police and Public Safety, officials recently shared guidance highlighting common warning signs tied to job fraud. The alert is part of an ongoing effort to educate and protect the NIU community from financial scams that often target job seekers.
Authorities said one major red flag includes companies that allegedly lack a legitimate website or have poorly designed online pages. Officials also warned about scammers who reportedly request upfront payments to “secure” employment, which is not a standard hiring practice.
Another common scheme involves individuals allegedly receiving job offers via email along with a check for equipment or expenses. Police said the check is often written for more than necessary, and victims are instructed to return the excess funds electronically—only to later discover the original check was fraudulent.
Officials further cautioned against job offers that do not match the position applied for or appear unsolicited. Offers that seem unusually lucrative or “too good to be true” should be carefully reviewed, as they are often tied to scams.
NIU police emphasized the importance of verifying job postings through official company websites and trusted platforms before applying or sharing personal information.
Authorities encourage anyone who believes they may have encountered a scam to report it to law enforcement and avoid engaging further with suspicious contacts.
