Government jobs are real, but scammers use them to steal money and personal information
Real government jobs exist at federal, state, county, and city levels—they hire for thousands of positions every year. But scammers also use the idea of government work to trick people into paying fake "processing fees" or handing over Social Security numbers. The difference comes down to where you look and what someone asks you to pay.
Legitimate government agencies never charge you to look at job postings, never ask for money upfront, and never may provide you a job before you interview. If someone claiming to represent a government employer is asking for payment or personal information before a formal hiring process, it is a scam.
Key Takeaways
- Real government job postings appear on official websites like USAJobs.gov (federal), your state's civil service portal, or your city or county HR department—never on private job boards asking for a fee.
- Legitimate government employers never charge process fees, processing fees, or background check fees before you are hired.
- Scammers often copy real job titles and agency names, then ask you to wire money or buy gift cards to "find" the position.
- Government hiring always includes a formal interview, reference checks, and a written job offer before you start work or pay anything.
- You can verify a job posting by calling the agency's main phone number (not a number from the email) and asking whether that position is actually open.
Where real government jobs are posted
Federal jobs appear on USAJobs.gov, the official U.S. Office of Personnel Management job board. You create a free account, search by agency and location, and submit your resume directly through the site. No fee, no middleman.
State jobs are posted on your state's civil service or human resources website. Search "[your state] jobs" or "[your state] civil service" to find the official portal. County and city jobs usually appear on the county or city government website under "careers" or "employment." Many also post on Indeed or LinkedIn, but the official government website is always the primary source.
If you find a job posting on a private job board or through an email, verify it by going directly to the agency's official website or calling their main phone number. Do not use contact information from the email or posting—look it up yourself.
Red flags that signal a scam
Stop when ready if someone asks you to pay money before you are hired. This includes "processing fees," "background check fees," "training fees," or "uniform deposits." Government agencies cover these costs themselves or deduct them from your first paycheck after you start—they never ask for payment upfront.
Watch for job postings that may provide you the job without an interview, or that say you are "pre-approved" or "pre-selected." Real hiring involves a formal process: process review, interview, reference checks, and a written offer. If someone is skipping steps, it is not real.
Be suspicious of pressure to act fast, requests to wire money or buy gift cards, or demands for your Social Security number before you have spoken to someone in person or on a verified phone call. Scammers often create urgency ("limited positions available," "explore by tonight") to stop you from thinking clearly.
Spelling and grammar errors in job postings are another warning sign. Government agencies use professional communications. If the email or posting has obvious mistakes, it is likely fraudulent.
How to verify a government job is real
Call the agency's main phone number—the one listed on their official website, not the one in an email—and ask whether the position is open. Ask for the name of the hiring manager or HR contact, and ask them to confirm the job title, location, and salary range. Write down their name and the date you called.
Search the agency's official website for the job posting. If it is not there, it is not real. Some agencies post on multiple sites, but the official government website is always the source of truth.
If you have already submitted your information to what you think might be a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Also contact your bank and credit card company to let them know you may have been targeted.
What happens after you are hired
Once you pass the interview and reference checks, you will receive a written job offer. This offer includes the job title, salary, start date, and benefits. You sign it and return it. Only after you sign and return the offer do you provide your Social Security number for the background check.
You will be asked to complete a background investigation, which the government pays for. You may be fingerprinted, and your references will be contacted. This process takes weeks or months depending on the level of clearance required. During this time, you are not asked to pay anything.
Your first day of work is when you start earning a paycheck. If someone has asked you for money before this point, you have been scammed.
Common scam tactics and how they work
The most common scam copies a real job title and agency name, then sends an email saying you have been selected. The email asks you to wire a "processing fee" or buy iTunes or Google Play cards to "set up" your position. Once you send money, the scammer disappears.
Another version asks you to buy software or training materials before you start. A third claims you need to pay for a background check or drug test upfront. None of these are real government practices.
Some scammers create fake websites that look like official government sites. They use similar URLs (for example, "usajobs-official.com" instead of "usajobs.gov") and copy the real site's design. Always type the official URL directly into your browser or call the agency to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find government jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn?
Yes, many government agencies post on these sites, but always verify by checking the agency's official website or calling them directly. Scammers also post fake government jobs on these platforms. The official government website is the most reliable source.
What if I already paid money to someone claiming to represent a government agency?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Contact your bank or credit card company when ready to report the fraud. If you wired money, contact the wire transfer service right away—they may be able to stop the transfer.
Do government jobs require you to buy uniforms or equipment before you start?
No. If uniforms or equipment are required, the government provides them or deducts the cost from your paycheck after you start work. You never pay upfront.
How long does it take to hear back after explore for a government job?
Federal jobs can take weeks or months because of the formal review process. State and local jobs vary. You will receive updates through the official job portal or by email from the agency's HR department. If someone contacts you outside this process asking for money, it is a scam.
What should I do if I think a job posting is fake?
Report it to the platform where you found it (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) and to the Federal Trade Commission. Call the agency's main number to confirm whether the position is real. Do not respond to the posting or provide any personal information.