NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsOctober 29, 2026Hillsborough County
Experts warn job seekers of widespread ghost jobs and AI-powered scams
Photo: ABC Action News (WFTS) — News
Job seekers face widespread challenges from "ghost jobs"—postings by companies with no active opening—and increasingly sophisticated AI-driven job scams designed to steal money or personal data. Experts highlight key warning signs such as requests for money, overly broad salary ranges, and listings that remain online for months.
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsWhy It Matters
Applicants invest time, energy, and personal information into applications and interviews for positions that may never result in a hire or may be fraudulent.
Key Facts
- 95% of surveyed job seekers reported encountering suspicious job offers, according to Monster's 2026 Job Scam Report.
- 86% of job seekers have encountered a ghost job within the past two years, according to ResumeBuilder.com.
- 58% of job seekers reported interviewing for a position they later suspected was a ghost job.
- 39% of applicants said encountering ghost jobs increased their stress or frustration.
- 4 in 10 companies have posted a fake job listing this year.
- AI tools are being used by scammers to create realistic fake job postings with correct grammar and spelling.
- Remote workers and individuals reentering the workforce are identified as especially vulnerable to scams.
- Red flags for questionable listings include jobs remaining online for months, unusually wide salary ranges, too-good-to-be-true compensation, vague descriptions, and any request for money.
- US jobless claims fell to 194,000 last week, representing the lowest level since July.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationNational University“Home of the Center for Cybersecurity”OrganizationMonster“Published the 2026 Job Scam Report”PersonSerena Sullivan“Director of National University's Center for Cybersecurity”OrganizationResumeBuilder.com“Conducted the Ghost Jobs Report”PersonStacie Haller“Chief career adviser at ResumeBuilder.com”