Fake Pay Rates on Indeed: How to Spot a 'Bait & Switch' Scam

Is That $4,500/Week Contract Real? (Probably Not)

We see the same post on the r/TravelNursing subreddit every single week:

“I applied for a job listed at $4,500/week. The recruiter called me immediately, got my profile, and then told me that specific job ‘just closed’—but they have a similar one for $2,800/week. Did I just get played?”

Yes, you did.

This is called the “Bait & Switch,” and in 2026, it is the most common dirty tactic used by shady agencies to hit their recruitment quotas.

Here is how the scam works, how to spot the red flags, and how to make sure you never send your SSN to a ghost job again.

The Anatomy of a “Ghost Job”

Agencies know that travel nurses filter by Highest Pay. If they post a real job at the market rate ($2,400/wk), you might scroll past it.

So, they post a “Ghost Job”—a contract that doesn’t exist—at a rate $500 to $1,000 higher than the average.

The Goal: They don’t want to fill that job. They want your Phone Number and your Profile. Once they have you on the phone, their job is to “down-sell” you into the lower-paying positions they are actually trying to fill.

3 Red Flags of a Fake Pay Package

Before you click “Apply” on Vivian, Indeed, or Facebook, look for these warning signs.

1. The “Perfect” Location with “Crisis” Pay

If you see a contract in San Diego, CA or Austin, TX paying “Crisis Rates” ($4k+) when there is no active pandemic or strike, it’s a lie. Desirable cities almost never pay crisis rates because supply exceeds demand.

• Real Crisis Pay: Middle of nowhere, North Dakota, winter.
• Fake Crisis Pay: Beachfront, San Diego, sunny.

2. The Recruiter Won’t Email the Details

You ask for the pay package breakdown via email. They reply: “Just call me, it’s easier to explain.”

Stop. 🛑

If they won’t put the numbers in writing, the numbers aren’t real. A legitimate recruiter will send you a PDF or an email breakdown of the Hourly Rate, Housing Stipend, and Meal Stipend immediately.

3. The “Just Closed” Excuse

This is the hallmark of the Bait & Switch. You get on the phone, and within the first 60 seconds, they say:

• “Oh, that position was filled this morning.”
• “The hospital actually just lowered the rate.”
• “But I have this other great option in a different city!”

How to Protect Yourself (The Script)

Don’t let them waste your time. Use this script when a recruiter contacts you about a high-paying listing:

You: “Hi, I’m interested in the $4,200/wk ICU position in Dallas. Before we talk, please email me the Pay Package Breakdown confirming that specific rate is still active. I do not submit profiles for ‘similar’ positions, only the one listed.”

If they ghost you, you just saved yourself an hour of frustration.

Don’t Get Baited. Get Matched.

Stop chasing ghost jobs on public boards. The best contracts—the ones that actually pay $3,000+—are often filled before they ever hit Indeed.

Get Matched with Verified Recruiters Here Tell us your specialty and state, and we will connect you with agencies that have real contracts ready to go.

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Why This Matters for Your Wallet

Taking a bait-and-switch contract doesn’t just hurt your pride; it hurts your bank account. If you accept a lower rate because you feel “pressured” or “already committed,” you could be leaving $15,000+ on the table over the course of a 13-week assignment.

Always calculate your True Net Pay before you sign.

Pro Tip: Use our Travel Nurse Pay Calculator to check if their “Blended Rate” actually covers your duplicate housing expenses.