Residents in Georgia are at a much higher risk of falling for job scams compared to those in other states, according to a recent analysis by Privacy Journal.  According to their research, Georgia comes in third for job-related scams, with Florida second and Nevada first.

This report looked at Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data for 2024, showing that Nevada has about 452 job scams reported per million residents, followed by Florida with 385 and Georgia with 377. Utah and Arizona also appear in the top five, while North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont have the fewest reports. The analysis suggests that scammers often target populous states with higher unemployment rates. In 2024, job scams were the third most common type of fraud, causing losses of $751 million, according to the FTC.

These scams usually involve fake job offers sent via text or email that aim to extract personal or financial information. Scammers might also ask for payment, often in cryptocurrency, for what they claim are “start-up” costs. Privacy Journal advises job seekers to be careful and highlights signs of job scams: instant job offers with no proper process, vague descriptions, unrealistic pay, upfront payment requests, demands for personal information, a lack of a professional online presence, and unprofessional communication.

Job seekers should research employers carefully before sharing any personal details or making payments.