NBC NEWS - Many people looking for work head online, but there's a growing trend that some of the listings aren't legitimate.

"I actually got a call this morning from a friend. She had applied for a job and had followed up with a phone call and was told that she had to put up $100 up front to be considered for the job. Clearly that's not a legitimate job opportunity," said Jason Blais, director of business development for Jobsinct.com.

Blais says the online jobs database has seen a rise in sham jobs.

"They realize that people are desperate to find work and so they are putting out their bait to try to attract them," Blais said.

You should never be asked to give out personal information while you're in the application process, according to Blais.

"People are also reporting being asked for Social Security Numbers and other private information that jobs seekers should never give out before they are offered a job."

He also recommends jobs seekers do their homework.

Just because a company has a website, doesn't mean it's real.

"It's critical to make sure you are researching the company," Blais said. "On our job board we make sure that every company has a company profile, that there's contact information."

Blais recommends looking for an in-state address and telephone number and contacting the Department of Labor for more information, before you apply.

"It sounds simple, but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," Blais said.