{"id":397322,"date":"2026-06-29T15:18:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T20:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=397322"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T21:05:00","slug":"can-i-report-a-company-for-posting-a-ghost-job","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/hiring-process\/can-i-report-a-company-for-posting-a-ghost-job.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Report a Company for Posting a ‘Ghost Job’?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Report a Company for Posting a 'Ghost Job'?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

A ghost job<\/span> is a fake <\/span>job<\/span> posting<\/span> that does not exist or has already been filled. Companies use phantom job postings<\/span> to test the labor market<\/span>, build a talent pool, or promote an image of company growth. While not strictly illegal, companies may be liable for violating data privacy laws or FTC regulations against deceptive business practices.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Looking for a new job<\/span> often means spending hours looking at online <\/span>job<\/span> postings<\/span>. Making a career change can be intimidating and frightening. The last thing you should have to worry about is whether a job posting<\/span><\/a> is legitimate.<\/p>\n

Some job listings<\/span> out there that are not what they appear to be. A company may post \u201cghost jobs<\/span><\/a>\u201d, also known as fake or phantom jobs, which are not for real <\/span>job<\/span> openings<\/span>. When job seekers<\/span> apply for these jobs, they learn that the job either doesn\u2019t exist or was filled a while ago.<\/p>\n

As frustrating as it can be to encounter a ghost job<\/span> during your job search<\/span>, there may not be much you can do about it. There are legal options<\/a> available if you have spent a considerable amount of time and money pursuing a job that wasn\u2019t actually available, but a successful resolution is challenging at best. You may be better off just chalking it up to experience and moving on.<\/p>\n

This article explains why companies post ghost jobs<\/span> and how to identify them. It also discusses how to report fake <\/span>job<\/span> postings<\/span> so other job seekers<\/span> don\u2019t run into the same problem you did. If you encounter a ghost job<\/span> and feel that your legal rights were violated, contact a local employment attorney<\/a> right away.<\/p>\n

Why Do Companies Post Ghost Jobs<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s hard to imagine why companies would waste their time with ghost <\/span>job<\/span> postings<\/span>. Not only are they wasting job seekers<\/span>\u2019 time<\/span>, but it seems like they\u2019re wasting their own as well. Still, it\u2019s common for companies, even reputable ones, to post fake <\/span>job<\/span> listings<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are several reasons why an organization would post phantom job ads<\/span> online or on social media<\/span>. Some of these include:<\/p>\n