Medium riskEmail

Fake LinkedIn Email Scam

This scam sends fake LinkedIn notification emails, such as a new message, appearing in searches or a job offer, with links to phishing pages that steal your login or push you toward fake recruiters.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Account and job phishing scam
Main red flag
A LinkedIn notification email urging you to click through to read a message, view a profile or accept a job offer.
What to do first
Do not click the link. Open LinkedIn directly through the app or by typing the address to check any real notifications.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam sends fake LinkedIn notification emails, such as a new message, appearing in searches or a job offer, with links to phishing pages that steal your login or push you toward fake recruiters.

Email scams, or phishing, remain one of the most common ways criminals steal logins, payment details, and money. A convincing message imitates a brand or contact and steers you toward a fake login page, a malicious attachment, or a fraudulent payment.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A LinkedIn notification email urging you to click through to read a message, view a profile or accept a job offer. Do not click the link. Open LinkedIn directly through the app or by typing the address to check any real notifications.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Fake Job Offer Scam or the WhatsApp Job Scam, browse the Email Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

Most reported
phishing was the most common type of cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'LinkedIn: You have 1 new message about a job opportunity. A recruiter wants to connect with you. View message: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A LinkedIn notification email urging you to click through to read a message, view a profile or accept a job offer.

Red flags to watch for

  • A notification link that does not lead to the official linkedin.com domain
  • An unexpectedly attractive job offer or recruiter message you did not seek out
  • Pressure to sign in quickly to read a message or claim an opportunity
  • Requests to continue the conversation off LinkedIn or to pay any fee
  • Generic wording and a sender address that does not match LinkedIn

What to do

  • Do not click the link or sign in through the email
  • Open LinkedIn directly via the app or website to see any genuine messages
  • Verify any recruiter by checking their profile and the company independently
  • Report the email as phishing and delete it

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not enter any further information on the page
  • Change your LinkedIn password and anywhere you reused it
  • Turn on two-step verification and review active sessions and connected apps
  • Stay alert for follow-up scam messages using your stolen details

What not to do

  • Do not move a 'job' conversation to private chat without verifying the recruiter
  • Do not pay any fee or share bank details for a job opportunity
  • Do not enter verification codes on a page reached through the link

Similar scams

High risk Job

Fake Job Offer Scam

This scam offers a job with little or no interview, then asks for upfront fees, personal documents, or bank details to 'set you up.'

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Job

WhatsApp Job Scam

This scam contacts you on WhatsApp with an easy paid-task job, shows small early 'earnings,' then asks you to deposit money to unlock bigger payouts.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Microsoft Account Email Scam

This scam sends a fake Microsoft or Outlook email about an unusual sign-in or an account about to be closed, linking to a fake Microsoft login page that captures your email and password.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Does LinkedIn email me about messages and searches?
LinkedIn does send notification emails, but you can always check the same information by opening the app or site directly. Treat the email as a prompt to log in yourself, not to click its links.
A recruiter contacted me with a great offer, is it real?
It may be, but scammers pose as recruiters to harvest details or push fees. Verify the person and company independently, and be cautious if you are rushed or asked to pay anything.
Why target LinkedIn accounts?
A LinkedIn login gives access to your professional network and can be used to send convincing scam messages to your contacts, or to support fake job and recruitment schemes.
What if I entered my login on the page?
Change your LinkedIn password right away and anywhere you reused it, enable two-step verification, and review your active sessions for anything you do not recognise.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.