Understanding Job Ads and Applications Course: Spotting job scams

Untimed topic quiz: 17 questions on Spotting job scams, with an explanation after each answer. Questions and answers are shuffled every time.

Course
Canada
100 questions
Checked October 13, 2026
Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Start with the lessonsUnderstanding Job Ads and Applications Course: Lessons: about 150 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

Topic quiz 3: Spotting job scams

Question 1 of 17
A "job" asks you to pay a deposit or fee before you can start. What does the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre advise?
- Never pay deposits or fees for a job
- Pay with gift cards because they are safer
- Pay only if they promise a refund
- Pay half now and half after your first paycheque
Show answer
Answer: A. Never pay deposits or fees for a job
The CAFC lists upfront deposits and fees as a warning sign and says never to pay them for a job.
Question 2 of 17
Which of these is a warning sign of a job scam?
- The ad lists a closing date
- The ad lists the wage and hours
- The employer asks for a resume and a short cover letter
- You get a job offer for a job you never applied for
Show answer
Answer: D. You get a job offer for a job you never applied for
The CAFC lists an offer for a job you never applied for as a warning sign.
Question 3 of 17
A recruiter writes from a free web-based email address instead of an email at the company's own domain. Why does this matter?
- It means the job is remote
- It proves the company is a government employer
- The CAFC lists it as a warning sign of a job scam
- It means the company has no website yet, which is normal
Show answer
Answer: C. The CAFC lists it as a warning sign of a job scam
The CAFC says a company using a web-based email instead of an official business domain is a warning sign.
Question 4 of 17
A new "employer" sends you a cheque, asks you to deposit it and send part of the money back. What is this most likely?
- A normal signing bonus
- A counterfeit cheque scam
- A direct deposit test
- A tax refund from your TD1
Show answer
Answer: B. A counterfeit cheque scam
In a counterfeit cheque scam, fraudsters send a fake cheque with a reason why you must cash it and return part of the money.
Question 5 of 17
A "payment processor" job asks you to receive money in your bank account and forward it to others. What is the risk?
- Your SIN will expire and you will need a new one
- None, because this is simply how normal payroll works
- You may have to pay slightly more income tax that year
- You could become a money mule for criminals
Show answer
Answer: D. You could become a money mule for criminals
The CAFC warns that financial agent jobs can make you a money mule. Being asked to receive and forward money is a warning sign.
Question 6 of 17
A mystery shopper "job" sends you a cheque and asks you to buy gift cards with the money. What can happen?
- The bank pays you a bonus for buying the gift cards
- You get to keep the gift cards as your pay for the work
- Nothing, because a cheque from a business cannot be fake
- The cheque is fake and you end up owing the bank
Show answer
Answer: D. The cheque is fake and you end up owing the bank
The CAFC describes mystery shopper scams where a fake cheque is used and the victim ends up owing the bank.
Question 7 of 17
You are offered good money to put a company logo on your car, then asked to pay "graphics" fees after receiving a cheque. What is this?
- A car wrapping scam
- A normal advertising contract
- A delivery driver job
- An insurance requirement
Show answer
Answer: A. A car wrapping scam
In car wrapping scams, a fake cheque arrives and you are asked to pay fees with your own money.
Question 8 of 17
An online store "job" shows a balance you have earned, but you must deposit more money to "unlock" it. What should you do?
- Deposit more money so you can withdraw your earnings
- Ask a friend to make the deposit for you instead
- Stop sending money and report it
- Recruit new workers to raise your balance faster
Show answer
Answer: C. Stop sending money and report it
Deposits to "unlock" earnings and a balance you cannot withdraw are CAFC warning signs of fake work-from-home jobs.
Question 9 of 17
Why does the CAFC warn people to be careful with cryptocurrency in job offers?
- Crypto is always insured by the bank
- Crypto payments are needed for a SIN
- Crypto is the only legal way to be paid in Canada
- Crypto transfers usually cannot be reversed
Show answer
Answer: D. Crypto transfers usually cannot be reversed
The CAFC notes that cryptocurrency transfers usually cannot be reversed, so lost money is hard to get back.
Question 10 of 17
How can you check that a company offering you a job is real?
- Call the phone number given in the message you received
- Find its official website yourself and call its official number
- Reply to the same email and ask whether the job is real
- Trust the offer if the company logo looks professional
Show answer
Answer: B. Find its official website yourself and call its official number
The CAFC advises checking the company's official website and calling its official number. Contact details in a scam message may be fake.
Question 11 of 17
Read the ad. The sender wants your SIN before any interview or offer. Why is this a red flag?
REMOTE ADMIN ASSISTANT - EARN $900 A WEEK!
Hi! You were selected from an online resume database. No experience needed. Work from home about 2 hours a day.
To start today, reply with your SIN, a photo of your driver's licence and your bank account details. Contact: globalstaff.hiring@freemail-example.com
We will mail you a cheque for $2,500. Deposit it, keep $400 as your first pay, and send the rest by e-transfer to our supplier for your office equipment.
Reply within 24 hours or your spot goes to someone else.
- You only need to give your SIN after you are hired
- Your SIN must be printed on every resume you send out
- Only employers in Ontario are allowed to ask for a SIN
- SINs can only be given to employers by fax or mail
Show answer
Answer: A. You only need to give your SIN after you are hired
Service Canada says you do not need to give your SIN for job applications. Employers need it after you are hired, to report your income.
Question 12 of 17
Read the ad. What will most likely happen if you deposit the cheque and send money to the "supplier"?
REMOTE ADMIN ASSISTANT - EARN $900 A WEEK!
Hi! You were selected from an online resume database. No experience needed. Work from home about 2 hours a day.
To start today, reply with your SIN, a photo of your driver's licence and your bank account details. Contact: globalstaff.hiring@freemail-example.com
We will mail you a cheque for $2,500. Deposit it, keep $400 as your first pay, and send the rest by e-transfer to our supplier for your office equipment.
Reply within 24 hours or your spot goes to someone else.
- The bank will cover the full loss because it cashed the cheque
- You keep $400 and the rest goes to a real equipment supplier
- The cheque is fake and you lose the money you sent
- You will receive office equipment and a signed contract
Show answer
Answer: C. The cheque is fake and you lose the money you sent
This is a counterfeit cheque scam. When the fake cheque is returned, the money you sent is gone and you may owe the bank.
Question 13 of 17
Read the ad. It says you must reply within 24 hours. What does the CAFC advise?
REMOTE ADMIN ASSISTANT - EARN $900 A WEEK!
Hi! You were selected from an online resume database. No experience needed. Work from home about 2 hours a day.
To start today, reply with your SIN, a photo of your driver's licence and your bank account details. Contact: globalstaff.hiring@freemail-example.com
We will mail you a cheque for $2,500. Deposit it, keep $400 as your first pay, and send the rest by e-transfer to our supplier for your office equipment.
Reply within 24 hours or your spot goes to someone else.
- Forward the message to friends so they can apply too
- Reply right away so that you do not lose the job offer
- Send only half of the details requested
- Take time before you respond to unknown job messages
Show answer
Answer: D. Take time before you respond to unknown job messages
Scammers use pressure to rush you. The CAFC advises taking time before responding to unknown job messages.
Question 14 of 17
Which phone number does the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre list for reporting fraud?
- 211
- 1-888-495-8501
- 7726
- 311
Show answer
Answer: B. 1-888-495-8501
You can report fraud to local police, through the Report Cybercrime and Fraud website, or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.
Question 15 of 17
Does a job appearing on Job Bank guarantee that it is real?
- No; Job Bank only lists jobs outside Canada
- Yes; every posting is checked by police before it goes live
- No; Job Bank cannot guarantee that a posting is real
- Yes; only government jobs are allowed on Job Bank
Show answer
Answer: C. No; Job Bank cannot guarantee that a posting is real
Each Job Bank posting has a notice that the Government of Canada cannot guarantee its authenticity. Stay alert even on trusted sites.
Question 16 of 17
You think a Job Bank posting is fake. How can you tell Job Bank?
- Use the "Report a problem with this job posting" button
- Call the phone number in the posting and complain
- Nothing; a posting cannot be reported once it is live
- Apply to it and mention the problem in your cover letter
Show answer
Answer: A. Use the "Report a problem with this job posting" button
Every Job Bank posting has a "Report a problem with this job posting" button so Job Bank can review it.
Question 17 of 17
Someone offers to guarantee you a job and a visa to Canada if you pay a fee. What is true?
- It is safe as long as the person has a professional website and logo
- It is safe if you pay by gift card or crypto
- No one can guarantee you a job or a visa to Canada
- It is safe as long as the fee is small
Show answer
Answer: C. No one can guarantee you a job or a visa to Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada warns that no one can guarantee you a job or a visa to Canada.

Topic quiz 3: Spotting job scams

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