Searching for a new job often brings a mix of hope and frustration. Applications pile up and interviews come and go. For 20-year-old Ocean Tallulah from Britain the process nearly became far more dangerous. She had been working as a waitress but wanted a change and spotted an opening in sales and marketing on the Indeed platform.
The advertisement struck her as completely legitimate. “Everything sounded completely realistic, nothing indicated danger,” she later shared in her TikTok video that quickly gained attention. She felt thrilled when the company contacted her for an interview. Yet the night before the scheduled meeting an uneasy feeling kept her awake.
Ocean decided to tell her parents about the opportunity. They looked into the company and told her it seemed off. That prompted her to dig deeper herself. She soon noticed several warning signs that made her reconsider everything.
The company’s website featured images of luxury cars and exotic trips which had nothing to do with the job she applied for. Online searches turned up alerts describing the operation as a scam linked to aggressive marketing tactics. “I read a warning that said: scam, aggressive marketing, and a whole series of other problems,” she explained. She even asked ChatGPT about the company and received a vague response that matched the website almost word for word with a caution at the end that read “BE CAREFUL.”
Negative reviews flooded Reddit threads discussing similar experiences. The biggest red flag came when Ocean checked the interview address. The location turned out to be a long-closed abandoned building with no active offices. “There is no office there, and they claimed it was their headquarters,” she pointed out in her video.
Ocean chose not to attend the interview. She removed her personal information from Indeed and reported the posting right away. Still the fact that the scammers already had her contact details worried her. “I deleted everything and reported it, but now they already have my data, which honestly scares me,” she admitted.
Her TikTok clip spread rapidly and collected more than 50,000 views. Viewers expressed shock and relief in the comments. One wrote “This is actually very scary. Why were they trying to lure you to that location?” Another added “Really creepy, glad you listened to your instinct.” Many thanked her for speaking up and helping others stay alert.
Ocean used her experience to caution fellow job seekers. “If you’re applying for jobs on Indeed or similar sites, be very careful. I’ve heard that such things happen, but I never thought it would happen to me. Don’t go if you’re not 100% sure,” she urged. She encouraged people to trust their instincts and double-check every detail before meeting anyone in person.
Indeed responded to the incident by reinforcing its safety guidelines. The platform advises applicants to compare job offers carefully and watch for unrealistic promises. Candidates should insist on virtual or clearly verified in-person interviews and never send money or handle financial transactions for an employer. The company stressed that protecting job seekers remains its top priority and that fake listings violate their rules outright.
Teams at Indeed remove millions of questionable ads each month. They strongly urge users to flag anything suspicious and report serious concerns to authorities when needed. Such measures help limit the reach of fraudulent postings across the site.
@_oceantallulah I am the WORST at explaining things #indeed #scam #jobapplication ♬ original sound – _oceantallulah
Job scams have become increasingly common with the growth of online hiring platforms. Fraudsters often create convincing ads to collect personal information or lure victims to isolated locations. Common tactics include promises of high pay for little experience flashy websites without substance and interview requests at unusual addresses. Authorities and platforms alike recommend researching company reviews verifying addresses through public records and arranging first meetings in public spaces.
Employment fraud affects millions of people worldwide each year. Many scams target younger applicants who may be less familiar with red flags. Sharing stories like Ocean’s helps raise awareness and encourages safer practices across job boards. Simple steps such as asking for official email addresses and checking business registrations can prevent many close calls.
Have you ever spotted warning signs in a job offer or heard similar stories from friends? Share your experiences in the comments.
