Job Scams & Fraudulent Offers

For LSA Alums | How You Can Support Students

As an LSA alum and a valued member of a student's network, you play a critical role in guiding mentees through their career exploration. You may occasionally encounter sensitive concerns, such as job scams or fraudulent offers, that require careful guidance.

The LSA Opportunity Hub is dedicated to equipping you with the necessary tools and information to navigate these situations confidently. We are here to support you in your mentorship role so that students ultimately leave their mentorship relationship feeling more confident and prepared to pursue their professional journeys. This document outlines key indicators to help you help students recognize potential scams and provides practical conversation tips to steer students toward official support, ensuring they benefit from the safest, most effective resources we offer. The LSA Opportunity Hub is here to assist you with any concerns you may encounter.

What is a Job Scam/Fraudulent Offer?

A job offer scam typically looks like a legitimate email or message impersonating a company or U-M department/faculty member, asking for money or sensitive information.

What to Guide Students to Watch Out For

• “Spoofed” emails (e.g., umich.edu@gmail.com instead of @umich.edu)

• Unrealistic pay or lack of interviews

• Missing or unverifiable company details

• Requests for payment or wire transfers

• Large sums of money offered or personal info (SSN, bank info, etc.)

• Grammatical and formatting errors

When unsure, always contact the Hub first (lsa-opphub@umich.edu), or encourage the student to set up a coaching appointment.

5 Tips for Approaching Difficult Conversations

When a student brings you a concern, prioritize their well-being and trust before offering solutions:

1. Create a safe space: Limit distractions and offer undivided attention. Let them express themselves without fear.

2. Address the Student Before the Issue: Check in on their current well-being first before discussing the details of the offer.

3. Guide, Don't Direct: Ask what they feel comfortable doing next and how you can help. 

4. Listen Before Advising: Ask questions without making assumptions to fully understand the situation before offering advice.

5. Thank Them for their Trust: Express gratitude for their trust and vulnerability. This gratitude builds ongoing confidence in their network.

Guiding Students on Safety & Next Steps

• Don’t respond to fraudulent offers; block the sender.

• Avoid providing personal info (license, SSN).

• Never send money via transfer apps or PayPal.

• Report suspicious postings or employers.

• Verify any “U-M faculty” contacts via MCommunity.

• Forward phishing emails to ReportPhish@umich.edu (include the original message).

If a student has shared personal information or made a payment:

• File a police report (on campus: U-M Police 734-763-1131).

• Review IT resources on Identity Theft and Compromised Accounts.

All employer postings on LSA Engage are pre-screened for compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor FLSA Guidelines and the Opportunity Hub’s Recruiting Policy.*