Scammers may contact you via many different channels. You might receive a suspicious email, text, or message via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Fiverr, or another online messaging service or platform that looks like it might be a message from Toptal. The message might even have Toptal’s name and logo.
Some scammers may try to ask you to perform a task, e.g., a transcription or data entry job, where you may be asked to re-write some given text. Other scams may seem to suggest that you can get a job with or through Toptal but require you to first reply to the sender and share information like your bank account number or other payment information. Some may even ask you to send money in exchange for a job opportunity with or through Toptal.
Toptal is in no way affiliated with these fraudulent opportunities. If you receive any kind of outreach like the above, please identify and report these scams using the steps outlined below.
Below are four red flags that a communication about an “opportunity” is a scam:
Scammers ask for money / or personal information. For example,
“What bank do you operate with and how long? To see if it tallies with the company salary account.”
“…I need you to provide me with the following: Your full name, Age, current Home address, Phone numbers, and e-mail address to enable my secretary enlist them into the Company’s Register for proper documentation.”
Toptal will not ask you for a fee to apply to join Toptal or to get a job with or through Toptal. Toptal will not ask you for your personal details in an email / social media message. That information is typically gathered via official online forms during the application and onboarding processes.
Scammers often send unsolicited and imperfect communications. Typical of many online scams, communications from scammers impersonating Toptal are often unsolicited and contain obvious misspellings and grammatical errors. For example,
“…You’ve just been confirmed qualified for this position.You are welcome to (TOPTAL COMPANY), You are now given a chance to show your commitment, charisma,diligence and be a productive employee. Your salary will be $27.75 per hour and you will be receiving your payment via Check/Direct Deposit weekly which will be mailed to you…”
“…type the texts in Microsoft Word without making any changes or corrections following the steps as shown…”
Scammers use unofficial communication channels. If someone reaches out to you about getting a job with or through Toptal using WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Fiverr or other such channels or platforms, know that such outreach does NOT come from Toptal. For example,
“Do you have Telegram to proceed with the company interview/details? Click the link I sent to you and write a message that you are looking for work from home and tell the hiring manager the person that referred you.”
Official Toptal outreach would come from an @toptal.com email address or from Toptal via trusted professional channels, like LinkedIn.
Scammers may pretend to be Toptal executives or other personnel. Toptal executives or personnel will never contact you directly on social media about a job opportunity. Even if the impersonated Toptal person appears real based on your search on professional sources, like LinkedIn, look for the above three signs of a scam, and when in doubt, reach out to us as outlined below.
If you think you are being targeted by a scam that misuses Toptal’s name, logo, or information, please report the scam using the steps below.
Gather evidence of the suspected scam. Take screenshots of the scam and any other information of the scammer, such as phone numbers and email addresses.
Report the scam on the platform or website where you were contacted. Because the website or platform where you were contacted is generally in the best position to act on fraudulent activity, you should report the scam directly to the website or platform. In cases where you need additional assistance or need help validating a potential scam, you may also reach out to support@toptal.com.
Share evidence with Toptal. Please send us screenshots of the scam and any information related to the scammer to support@toptal.com. When sharing information with us, please include your permission to further share that information with law enforcement authorities.