Remote job offers now asking new hires to buy their own 'company' equipment

A recruiting scam making the rounds targets people actively job hunting on legitimate platforms, sending a polished offer letter that includes a real-sounding title, salary, and start date — followed within days by instructions to purchase a laptop and monitor from a specific online vendor for full reimbursement.

How it plays out

The process starts normally: an application, a video interview with someone using a professional-looking background, and a written offer on letterhead that closely mimics the real company's branding. Once the offer is accepted, HR 'onboarding' sends a link to a vendor site to order approved equipment, with a promise that the cost will be reimbursed in the first paycheck.

The vendor site is either fake or the payment is redirected to the scammer directly. Several readers noted the total request landed in the $800–$1,400 range, framed as routine for a remote-work equipment stipend.

Red flags reported

• The 'approved vendor' is not a recognizable retailer, or the link goes to a payment form rather than an actual storefront
• Onboarding moves unusually fast, with pressure to order equipment within 24–48 hours
• All communication happens over chat or personal email, with no verifiable company phone line
• The company's real careers page has no listing matching the role

Before purchasing anything for a new job

Verify the company's domain matches its real website exactly, and call the company's published main line to confirm the recruiter and the role. Legitimate employers overwhelmingly issue equipment directly or reimburse purchases made through normal retailers, not a single 'approved vendor' link sent during onboarding.

If you've already paid

Dispute the charge with your card issuer as soon as possible and report the listing to the job platform where the role was posted, since platforms can pull the fraudulent account and warn other applicants.