Start here
The free tool below runs entirely in this browser — no account, nothing stored or transmitted. Redact anything you would not want kept before you type it.
Open the companion tool →Why real job offers never require advance payment
Legitimate companies provide necessary work equipment directly or reimburse approved expenses through established payroll systems.
Scammers issue fake checks for equipment and demand you buy from a designated supplier before the check bounces.
The protocol
- Verify the recruiter's email domain matches the official corporate website exactly.
- Refuse any request to deposit a check and transfer funds to an equipment vendor.
- Never pay for your own background check through a link provided in a chat app.
- Confirm the open position on the official company careers page.
What the tool does
Paste job offer details or email text to check for payment-demand red flags. Runs in browser.
Limit first: This tool checks for payment red flags, not overall employer quality.
Open the companion tool →One human next step
If you deposited a fake check or sent money, report it to your bank's fraud department immediately and file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Research log and safety checks
AI-assist path: rule-based structure matching advance-fee patterns. §6.10: not a frontier-pace topic.
§0.5 protection result: category is scam-fraud-defense; crisis-adjacent: no; fear/urgency/scarcity toolkit used: no. The protective function is free and the paid feature is convenience only.