Now more than ever, students and alumni need to be careful and guard their sensitive personal information. Unfortunately, some scammers may attempt to use fake job or internship opportunities as a way access your personal information or steal money. To help protect yourself from these situations, review the guidance below and always remember you can get in touch with the Career Center for assistance.

Best Practices for Avoiding Scams

  • In general, a legitimate employer will not ask you to purchase materials, equipment, or other items on their behalf (especially remotely).
  • Never take cashier’s checks or money orders as a form of payment. Fake checks are common and the bank where you cash it will hold you accountable.
  • Never cash a check that comes with “extra” money and do not buy gift cards at an employer's request. Scammers send checks that require you to deposit a check at your bank, withdraw the “extra” money as cash, and then deposit that cash elsewhere. The check will bounce and you will be held accountable.  
  • Before engaging in any work/internship activity it is helpful to sign a contract with clear details about the experience or register the internship with RISD and have the employer sign the agreement. This helps protect you. It is also highly unlikely a scammer would go through the effort and potential personal legal risk of this process, so most people who do this step are very likely to be legitimate employers.
  • Before agreeing to any job/internship, try to have a phone or video conversation with the employer. Talk to an actual person, and go beyond just email conversations. These conversations can help you evaluate their authenticity and trustworthiness. You may be able to feel out if the opportunity is real or not.
  • Research the employer. Do they have a reputable website or professional references? Is the job listing you want to apply for also on their main career page? If you can't find information about the employer online, proceed with extreme caution.
  • Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with anyone, especially before a contract has been signed or the internship has been registered with RISD.
  • Still not sure if you are dealing with a scam? Would you like a second opinion? The Career Center is here to help. 

Make An Advising Appointment

Remote Internship Guidelines

We have also put together guidelines for remote internships for students. Following these guidelines can help you explore opportunities with the confidence that they are legitimate and the employer is acting in good faith.

Guidelines For Remote Internships

International Student Scam Info

For International Students, you may also want to be aware of scams that target student visa holders. The Office of International Student Services has information on how to avoid immigration related scams.

How To Avoid Immigration Scams