Scam Awareness Resource Hub

Miami uses one Handshake system for all campuses. Sign in with your Miami email and password, then complete your profile so employers know you’re a Miami student. You can search for jobs and internships using this account.

Legit postings list a real company name, link to a professional website, and use an official company email address. Job descriptions should be clear, specific, and similar to what you’d see on the company’s own site. If the salary looks way higher than average or the duties are super vague, slow down and double-check. You can also check the company’s official careers page to confirm the job exists and matches the description.

Students are busy, need experience, and may be looking for quick income pre or post graduation. Scammers know that and send fake internship offers, part-time jobs, or “on-campus opportunities” that look like they’re from real Miami offices or professors. Some scams have even used real staff names in fake internship emails.

Yes, but they should still look professional. It’s normal to get follow-up emails about an interview or application, especially from a company domain. Be careful when a “recruiter” immediately moves to personal email, text, or messaging apps and starts asking for personal information or money.

Watch for:

• Instant “you’re hired” messages with no interview.
• Very high pay for very simple work.
• Requests for bank info, Zelle, or gift cards.
• Requests for personal information such as your Social Security Number, driver’s license number, or background checks before any interview.
• Personal email accounts instead of company addresses.
• Lots of spelling mistakes or copy-paste messages.
• Logos or branding that look slightly altered or low‑quality.

No legitimate employer will ever ask you to pay for equipment, training, software, gift cards, or “setup fees.” If someone wants you to front money for supplies or promises reimbursement later, treat it as a scam.

Don’t apply just to “see what happens.” Instead:

• Use Handshake’s tools to flag or report the job or employer.
• Take screenshots or save the text.
• Ask a Miami career advisor or staff member to look it over.

On the Oxford campus, the Center for Career Exploration & Success can help review job posts, emails, and offers. You can schedule an appointment and bring screenshots or message history so they can walk through it with you.

Miami Regionals students can work with Career Services & Professional Development for job and internship questions, including possible scams. You can explore resources online, use Handshake, or contact the regional offices.

Don’t panic, but act quickly:

• Change any passwords you may have entered.
• If you shared bank details, contact your bank right away.
• Call IT Help if you think you clicked a malicious link on a Miami account.

A few habits can make a big difference:

• Freeze your credit with the three national credit bureaus while job searching, or if you suspect a scam has taken place.
• Use strong, unique passwords for job sites, email, and banking.
• Avoid reusing your sensitive passwords on any job platform.
• Verify job postings by checking the company’s official careers page when possible.