

With any global disaster, challenge or crisis comes gaps that allow fraudsters to do what they do best: take advantage of security lapses and people who are rebounding from hardship. In fact, job scams have indeed increased during the pandemic, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting cases of fraud on the uptick since COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic. As if trying to find a new job isn't stressful enough, you definitely don't want to add to that the utter disaster of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud, losing money and time in the process.
Here are 10 red flags to look out for to avoid job scams or fraudulent employment opportunities:
1. You can't verify the company's background.
Sis, if you can't verify the company's headquarters, email address, staff list, or phone number, the company more than likely does not exist or it isn't one you want to work for. Major companies correspond via email addresses with their own unique domain (so no Gmail, Yahoo, or personal accounts) and they certainly don't send messages that are full of weird spacing, choppy wording, or misspellings, so pay attention to those details. Also, reputable companies have their own websites (with a year at the bottom of the Home or About pages that states when the site was last updated or how long its copyrights are valid.)
If a company doesn't have a website that provides detailed and up-to-date information, ask the recruitment manager to verify where you can find this information. You can also search via LinkedIn or another social media site.
2. They offer you the job with no interview.
Experts advise that if a recruiter claims they randomly found your resume via a website or through a "search" and wants to immediately offer you a gig, you should raise an eyebrow. Most recruiters will let you know about an open position that actually fits your qualifications and will schedule a real interview with you before anything remotely related to an offer happens.
3. The job description and pay is inaccurate or too good to be true.
So, let's say you're up for an entry-level assistant position, and the description says you only have to work 20 hours a week, with very minimal duties. Then, you make it to the initial interview phase and find out you'll earn a yearly salary $80,000. That amount of pay is clearly not the norm for a starter job and the duties of an assistant in any industry is far from minimal. Trust me, the job listing is fake. Look out for details about the job that just seem outright outrageous.
4. They ask you for money to "confirm" your applicant spot or take the job itself.
This one brings me back to my pre-teen days in Manhattan, where modeling agents would walk up to me, give me their card, and say, "Hey, you're tall and beautiful. We can represent you. Give us a call." I'd call (being the fast-tail, wannabe-city-wise kid I was) and they'd say, "Just bring $59.99 to the casting and we'll have you in magazines and on commercials." Yep, it's the same type of con, except it involves a regular nine-to-five. When I finally started doing commercials and plays, my mother never had to pay anyone except dance teachers, beauticians, and others who prepped me for gigs.
A job search is free, and there are too many free resources out there for you to spend your money on trying to get a gig. When a company wants a great candidate, they cover the costs of getting one, not the other way around. (Oh, and hiring a headhunter is a totally different thing, and even then, you'd still need to vet the professional or company.)
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5. They want private information about you before giving an offer.
Any time someone is asking you for your social security number, birth date, and bank account numbers before salary negotiations are being discussed, you should run and never look back. It's never a good idea to just give out your private information for a job interview. Typically companies will not need this sort of information until it's time to put you on the payroll, and even then, you'll need to be sure that the company you're signing contracts with is on the up-and-up. (See tip No. 1 on how to research this.)
6. They ask you to buy equipment or technology before an offer has been made.
Reputable companies either offer the technology needed to do the job, or they will fund the purchase of those items. This is key to remember, especially now that remote work is so popular and so many companies are offering job opportunities that require you to use technology to communicate. And even if it's a regular nine-to-five, this conversation should be part of the benefits negotiations anyway. You really shouldn't be using your own computer and technology to do business on behalf of another company, especially if there's proprietary or private information being shared such as customer contact information, confidential emails, contracts, and money transfers.
7. The recruiter is overzealous or promising too much up front.
It's great to get a job offer especially if you've been struggling for months to get a new one, but any recruiter promising you the world is probably a fraudster or just not being quite upfront about what the opportunity really demands. Be sure to research benefits and perks typically offered for the particular job or for your industry and compare that to what the recruiter is offering.
Ask additional questions about the companies they work with to provide benefits, who will handle payroll, how vacation days are set, and what banks the company uses for things like retirement accounts. The more supporting information, the better.
8. The company isn't doing well enough to even afford to hire new people.
If you're not looking into how a company is doing financially before signing on to work for them, sis, you're missing a key step in the job search process. Many major companies have listings via business publications (and if you don't know about popular "top companies" lists, just do a quick Google search.) Also, some companies are listed via the Better Business Bureau, or the local papers where they're headquartered cover their successes and failures quite often.
Whatever the case may be, step your research skills up and start looking into their business practices and latest news updates such as layoffs, closures, or takeovers, and proceed with caution.
If a company is basically having too many money or personnel problems, they might not actually be hiring and some phony might be contacting you fraudulently "on their behalf."
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9. The job description is too vague.
Experts have said that long job descriptions can be red flags for a position that's either hard to fill or that has a manager who's hard to please. Well, there are indeed red flags for job descriptions that don't provide much elaboration on duties, expectations, or qualifications at all. Be especially leery of those that only state "high school diploma acceptable," or "little to no experience needed." (Hey, Craigslist.) It's a good chance that the job is not real or is simply not worth your time.
10. You can't verify their methods of reliable payment.
As a freelancer, I'm big on this, because people will play with your money if you let them. When you're going through the job search process, it's good to ask the HR managers or interviewers (before or during the interview) what company they use to handle payroll or what banks they work with in handling accounts payables.
Ask them to give you a point of contact for payment issues and then do your research on that person, department, or company via a simple online search. You can also talk with a rep at your own bank and ask them whether the companies or payment methods are legit.
If a prospective employer is offering a limited or inconvenient method of being paid, asking to only do non-traditional wire transfers, or being vague in answering your questions, rethink continuing the process of interviewing. (And again, never, ever, ever, give them your personal banking information or social for payment options until you've done your research and feel comfortable doing so.)
There should always be an option to be paid through an FDIC-insured method or through a traditional direct deposit. And if you don't trust the banking method, just don't bother signing on to that job. Nobody wants a problem when it's time to get paid, and you'd hate to have no one to contact about a grievance over a missed paycheck or a discrepancy, or worse: about not getting paid at all.
Just remember, if a situation during your job search doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, and what sounds too good to be true probably is a nightmare. Tap into your network, use online searches as a guide to make sound decisions, ask lots of questions before even agreeing to be interviewed,and be diligent.
For more job search tips, career advice and profiles, check out the xoNecole Workin Girl section here.
Featured image by Getty Images
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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It’s officially Miss Keri, Baby season again—and if you ask us, it’s been a long time coming. After 15 years away from the music scene, Keri Hilson has returned not only with a brand-new album, but also a captivating new role in Lifetime’s Fame—the latest installment in The Temptations film franchise.
Between the album We Need to Talk: Love and her leading role in Fame, this isn’t just a comeback—it’s a rebirth. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter turned actress is letting us into her world like never before, unpacking themes of vulnerability, healing, and inner strength with grace, grit, and raw artistry.
Now streaming on Lifetime, Fame follows two superstar sisters—played by Keri and singer/actress Keshia Chanté—as they navigate the cost of stardom, sibling rivalry, and the dark side of desire. The film also stars Romeo Miller, Ecstasia Sanders, Nathan Witte, and Sophie Carriere, and is executive produced by Derrick Williams and Adriane Hopper Williams of the Seven Deadly Sins franchise.
As for the music? We Need to Talk: Love is a three-part album (Love, Drama, Redemption) that tells the story of a woman who’s been through it—and has risen from the ashes. “It was time to speak for myself,” Keri says.
We sat down with Keri to talk about her return to music, her passion for acting, the emotional depth of Fame, and how she’s learning to care for herself amidst the chaos.
From R&B Queen to Drama Star: Keri Gets Into Character
“Even though she’s famous—as am I—it was really her humanity that I wanted to portray.”
Keri plays Cherish, one half of a superstar sibling duo who must confront their fractured relationship in the wake of a traumatic robbery. For Keri, the role was more than a character—it was a psychological study.
“I enjoy departures from reality. That’s why I love acting,” she shares. “Psychology is one of my favorite things in life. I became a writer because I’m an observer of human nature, emotion, and behavior. I think I did a good job showing her humanity.”
The Fame Isn’t Always Worth the Price
“Keep the main thing the main thing.”
Keri doesn’t sugarcoat the industry. When asked about what Fame reveals about the dark side of celebrity culture, her answer is clear:
“It’s a cautionary tale. It reminds you to keep your family close and not allow anything to come between them—especially in pursuit of success. Keep the main thing the main thing. For me, that’s family, love, spirituality, and values.”
Three Chapters, One Story: Love. Drama. Redemption.
“I’ve shed the fear. It was time to tell my own story.”
Released April 18th, We Need to Talk: Love is Keri’s first album in 15 years—and a deeply personal one at that. The three-part project (Love, Drama, Redemption) represents a timeline of healing and growth.
“I’m finally in a place where I’m able and willing to open up more,” she says. “For a while, I became really guarded—shell-shocked, even—after making mistakes in the public eye. Whether it’s all your fault or not, the scrutiny takes its toll. But now, I’ve shed that fear. It’s time to tell my story.”
Cooking, Walks, and Recalibrating in the Chaos
“I’m not doing the best job—but I’m doing what I can.”
Between eight-hour rehearsals, press runs, and music releases, Hilson admits she hasn’t quite figured out the balance yet—but she’s trying. For her, the key is carving out small rituals of normalcy.
“I enjoy cooking. That’s my sanctity,” she says. “I’ll go home, take my makeup off, put on my rehearsal clothes, and cook a meal. I take walks. I run. These little things help me feel like myself again.”
Art Imitates Life (and Album Tracklists)
“Cherish goes from Love… to Drama… to Redemption.”
Asked which album chapter her Fame character would fall into, Keri doesn’t hesitate. “She fits into all three,” she says. “You see her go from love, to drama, to redemption. That arc mirrors the journey of so many women who’ve had to navigate pain and find their way back to themselves.”
No Pressure, Just Art: Keri Wants You to Feel Something
“Just enjoy the art. That’s it.”
After all the time, patience, and healing, Keri isn’t asking for much. She just wants fans to press play—and feel something.
“I just want people to enjoy what they’re seeing and hearing. Enjoy me on screen. Enjoy me through their ears. People have waited, and I feel blessed by that. That helps me keep it all pure and simple.”
As Keri Hilson steps boldly back into the spotlight, it’s clear this era is all about alignment, artistry, and authenticity. With Fame airing on Lifetime and the first chapter of We Need to Talk: Love setting the tone, we’re more than excited to see what’s next.
As she continues to unfold the album’s next two chapters—Drama and Redemption—one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just a comeback. It’s a reintroduction. And we’ll be watching, listening, and cheering her on every step of the way.
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