UnitedHealth Group Warns of Fraudulent Job Offers on LinkedIn

UnitedHealth Group is alerting the public to a recent surge in fraudulent activity targeting individuals through LinkedIn and email. Scammers are impersonating executives and recruiters from UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, attempting to lure victims into elaborate schemes.

Details of the Scam

According to a UnitedHealth Group post, the fraudulent messages and emails do not originate from official company accounts or domains. The scams typically involve the following steps:

• An initial contact via LinkedIn or email, falsely claiming to be from a UnitedHealth Group executive.
• A request for an interview conducted via Zoom.
• An offer of a work-from-home position at Optum.
• The sending of a fake job application.
• Delivery of a fraudulent check via USPS, often for a substantial amount.
• A request for the recipient to pay a vendor a large sum of money, using funds from the deposited check.

UnitedHealth Group’s Stance

UnitedHealth Group emphasizes that it never requests candidates to pay a vendor or any fee as part of the employment process. This is a key indicator of a fraudulent scheme.

How to Verify Legitimacy

If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to be from UnitedHealth Group or its affiliated companies, the organization urges you to verify its authenticity. You can contact them directly at 1-800-561-0861 between 7 a.m. And 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

Expanding Doula Support – Separate Initiative

UnitedHealthcare is also expanding its Doula Support offering nationwide for eligible employer-sponsored plans. This is a legitimate program designed to improve maternal and infant health, and is separate from the reported fraudulent activity. The Doula Support program will be available to approximately 7.2 million members by January 1, 2027, if included in their employer’s health plan. UnitedHealthcare is rolling out this support in phases throughout 2026.

This warning underscores the importance of vigilance against online scams, particularly those targeting job seekers. Always verify the legitimacy of job offers and be wary of requests for financial transactions.