Finding a part-time job, internship, or research opportunity is a top priority for many college students. These experiences not only build valuable skills and career connections but can also provide much-needed income while managing the costs of college life. Unfortunately, scammers are well aware of this and often target students with fake job offers designed to steal money or personal information.
To help protect you, we’ve put together a list of three common job scams, warning signs to watch for, and an example of a real phishing email recently sent to W&L students.
Remember: if an offer comes out of nowhere, promises easy money, or simply feels “too good to be true,” it probably is.
Common Job Scams
- The Research Assistant scam is a common scheme that specifically targets college students by exploiting their interest in gaining academic or professional experience. Students receive an unsolicited email (seemingly from a W&L professor or university department personnel).
- The Bookkeeper/Personal Assistant job scam – Students see ads on job boards, social media, or even receive direct emails claiming to be from a professor, small business owner, or busy professional. Job tasks are often described as managing errands, booking travel, handling payments, keeping records.
- The Package Reshipping scam – Students see ads online or receive emails offering jobs as a “package handler,” “logistics coordinator,” or “quality control agent.” The work is framed as flexible, remote, and simple: just receive packages at your address, check them, repackage them, and forward them.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Dr. Faculty Name PhD. <aresearch17@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 26 2026 6:53AM EDT -07:00
Subject: Detailed information
To: <{username}@mail.wlu.edu>
Hello Student,
Thank you for your email, it appears my previous message may not have reached you. I appreciate you letting me know. You have been invited to participate in an online data collection cross-disciplinary research project.
This part-time position provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in online research, data collection, and market analysis while supporting ongoing research projects. No prior experience is required.
Work Schedule
The role is flexible and typically requires 2–3 days of work per week for a few hours each day. You may choose a schedule that best fits your availability. Assignments are provided on a project basis, and there may be short intervals between tasks depending on project needs.
Role Overview
As a Research Assistant, you will contribute to research activities by:
Collecting and organizing online data related to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.
Conducting market and pricing research using publicly available information.
Assisting with data analysis and preparing concise research summaries.
Maintaining accurate records and following established research procedures.
You will work alongside a small team of research assistants under my supervision, contributing to projects involving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer health, and nutraceutical markets.
Compensation
$300 per completed week of assigned work.
Continued participation will depend on the quality, accuracy, and timely completion of assigned tasks.
Qualifications
We’re looking for candidates who demonstrate:
Strong attention to detail.
Good organizational and time-management skills.
Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel (or Google Docs and Sheets).
Effective written communication.
A dependable and proactive work ethic.
Additional Responsibilities
Depending on project requirements, you may also be asked to:
Assist with organizing research materials.
Help prepare summaries and documentation.
Coordinate project updates and assigned tasks.
If you would like to proceed, please reply to this email with your résumé for review. Once received, I will provide additional information regarding the project and your first assignment.
Thank you again for your interest. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Dr. Faculty Name PhD.
Associate Professor
Biology
Howe Hall 5555
How Do these Scams Play Out?
- Scammers often ‘overpay’ with a fake check that looks real and shows up in your account as available. They then ask you to send back the extra money or buy gift cards. When the check eventually bounces, you’re left responsible for the money you sent.
- They may ask the student to buy gift cards or send money through Zelle, Venmo, or cryptocurrency.
- Some versions ask for personal details (SSN, bank account, or copies of IDs) under the guise of setting up payroll. Once they have this information, they can either steal money directly from you or use your identity to take out loans or set up credit card accounts in your name.
- Students are told they’re helping a shipping company by serving as a U.S. middleman for deliveries. Packages, often electronics, luxury goods, or gift cards, arrive at their address, and they’re instructed to repackage and forward them to another location. The repackaged items were stolen, and the student is unknowingly assisting in an indirect form of money laundering.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- The job requires little to no prior experience.
- Pay is often quoted as very high for part-time student work (e.g., $350–500 per week for a few hours of “light tasks”).
- The “employer” quickly offers the position without an interview.
- They may claim the student needs to buy supplies, pay a fee, or deposit a check to “get started.”
- The “employer” uses non-university emails (e.g., Gmail, Outlook) instead of official W&L school accounts.
- You’re asked to fill out payroll forms or provide banking info before any real interview or work.
- The “employer” never speaks with you over the phone or via video chat.
