TalkScams Team — educational discussion
Fake student assistant jobs imitate university contacts — warning signs and safety checks
TalkScams Team discussion starter — an educational scam scenario, not a victim account.
What is the scam pattern?
Scammers sometimes send campus-related emails that appear to come from a professor or school office, advertising flexible assistant work. A later request to deposit a check and send funds onward is a classic warning sign.
Warning signs to recognize
1. A supposed campus contact asks you to forward money from a deposited check.
2. A recruiter cannot confirm the employer through a verified channel
How to check or protect yourself
1. Speak directly with the university department or professor using its official directory.
2. Verify the offer before supplying payment or personal data
Discuss with the community
How would you verify the recruiter and employer before sharing documents or money?
Original government advisory: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/college-students-avoid-scammers-while-you-job-hunt