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Fast Company
10-07-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Job scams are on the rise. Here's how to protect yourself
As job-seekers look for work in a challenging environment, an increasing number are falling victim to job scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scams start innocuously, often with a tailor-made text or WhatsApp message, and the scammers take time to build trust with the victim before cashing in on the relationship. 'Most of the people who end up losing money to a scammer are behaving pretty rationally,' said Kati Daffan, assistant director of the Federal Trade Commission's division of marketing practices. 'Scammers are sophisticated, and they keep changing their tactics.' Reported losses to job scams increased more than threefold from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024, they topped $220 million, according to the FTC. Gamified job scams, or task scams, represented a significant portion of that growth. About 20,000 people reported experiencing gamified scams in the first part of 2024, compared to 5,000 in all of 2023. Daffan said that that the number is certainly an underestimate, because many people don't report their experiences of job scams to law enforcement or government trackers. 'Only 4.8% of people complain,' she said. Here's what to know: How the scams work The scam typically begins with an unexpected text or WhatsApp message from a 'recruiter' offering online work, according to the FTC. The mystery texter will say you can 'make good money' by 'product boosting' or doing 'optimization tasks' for an online platform or in an app, which might involve liking videos or rating product images. This 'job' promises to earn you money from 'commissions' per click. Once you complete the tasks, you'll see an increasing tally of 'earnings' on the platform or in the app. These earnings are fake. Eventually, the app or platform will ask you to deposit your own money, typically in crypto, to complete more tasks and withdraw your (non-existent) earnings. But if you do make the deposit, you lose your real money, and you never receive the illusory pay. Who gets targeted Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said these types of scammers typically prey on job-seekers who are new to the job market, people who have been out of the job market for some time (such as homemakers re-entering the workforce, whose children are grown), and immigrants, who may be less familiar with the employment landscape or who face language barriers. 'Often the job will have an easy interview or no interview, promise to let you work from home, and let you start right away,' Velasquez said. 'Sometimes they'll start with praise, and the person will feel their skills are recognized. 'Oh, you think I'm great? Tell me more.'' Velasquez emphasized the vulnerability of people looking for work, especially given ongoing economic uncertainty, who may choose to accept a role even if it initially feels shady. 'Sometimes the ask is to leave phony reviews for products,' she said. 'The scammers are probably selling those reviews illegally, but a job-seeker might look at a line and say, 'I'll cross that line. I've got to eat.'' Tips for spotting a task-based scam — Ignore any generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs, no matter how specific or complimentary the messages. — Never pay to get paid, or to get a job. That requirement is a red flag that the position is a scam. — Don't trust employers who says they'll pay you to rate or like things online, without an above-board process for using the actual products or services you're rating. The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Job scams are on the rise and more people are falling for them. Protect yourself with these tips
NEW YORK (AP) — As job-seekers look for work in a challenging environment, an increasing number are falling victim to job scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scams start innocuously, often with a tailor-made text or WhatsApp message, and the scammers take time to build trust with the victim before cashing in on the relationship. 'Most of the people who end up losing money to a scammer are behaving pretty rationally,' said Kati Daffan, assistant director of the Federal Trade Commission's division of marketing practices. 'Scammers are sophisticated, and they keep changing their tactics.' Reported losses to job scams increased more than threefold from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024, they topped $220 million, according to the FTC. Gamified job scams, or task scams, represented a significant portion of that growth. About 20,000 people reported experiencing gamified scams in the first part of 2024, compared to 5,000 in all of 2023. Daffan said that that the number is certainly an underestimate, because many people don't report their experiences of job scams to law enforcement or government trackers. 'Only 4.8% of people complain,' she said. Here's what to know: How the scams work The scam typically begins with an unexpected text or WhatsApp message from a 'recruiter' offering online work, according to the FTC. The mystery texter will say you can 'make good money' by 'product boosting' or doing 'optimization tasks' for an online platform or in an app, which might involve liking videos or rating product images. This 'job' promises to earn you money from 'commissions' per click. Once you complete the tasks, you'll see an increasing tally of 'earnings' on the platform or in the app. These earnings are fake. Eventually, the app or platform will ask you to deposit your own money, typically in crypto, to complete more tasks and withdraw your (non-existent) earnings. But if you do make the deposit, you lose your real money, and you never receive the illusory pay. Who gets targeted Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said these types of scammers typically prey on job-seekers who are new to the job market, people who have been out of the job market for some time (such as homemakers re-entering the workforce, whose children are grown), and immigrants, who may be less familiar with the employment landscape or who face language barriers. 'Often the job will have an easy interview or no interview, promise to let you work from home, and let you start right away,' Velasquez said. 'Sometimes they'll start with praise, and the person will feel their skills are recognized. 'Oh, you think I'm great? Tell me more.'' Velasquez emphasized the vulnerability of people looking for work, especially given ongoing economic uncertainty, who may choose to accept a role even if it initially feels shady. 'Sometimes the ask is to leave phony reviews for products,' she said. 'The scammers are probably selling those reviews illegally, but a job-seeker might look at a line and say, 'I'll cross that line. I've got to eat.'' Tips for spotting a task-based scam — Ignore any generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs, no matter how specific or complimentary the messages. — Never pay to get paid, or to get a job. That requirement is a red flag that the position is a scam. — Don't trust employers who says they'll pay you to rate or like things online, without an above-board process for using the actual products or services you're rating. ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
Washington Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Beware of scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks
NEW YORK — As job-seekers look for work in a challenging environment , an increasing number are falling victim to job scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scams start innocuously, often with a tailor-made text or WhatsApp message, and the scammers take time to build trust with the victim before cashing in on the relationship. 'Most of the people who end up losing money to a scammer are behaving pretty rationally,' said Kati Daffan, assistant director of the Federal Trade Commission's division of marketing practices. 'Scammers are sophisticated, and they keep changing their tactics.' Reported losses to job scams increased more than threefold from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024, they topped $220 million, according to the FTC. Gamified job scams, or task scams, represented a significant portion of that growth. About 20,000 people reported experiencing gamified scams in the first part of 2024, compared to 5,000 in all of 2023. Daffan said that that the number is certainly an underestimate, because many people don't report their experiences of job scams to law enforcement or government trackers. 'Only 4.8% of people complain,' she said. Here's what to know: The scam typically begins with an unexpected text or WhatsApp message from a 'recruiter' offering online work, according to the FTC. The mystery texter will say you can 'make good money' by 'product boosting' or doing 'optimization tasks' for an online platform or in an app, which might involve liking videos or rating product images. This 'job' promises to earn you money from 'commissions' per click. Once you complete the tasks, you'll see an increasing tally of 'earnings' on the platform or in the app. These earnings are fake. Eventually, the app or platform will ask you to deposit your own money, typically in crypto, to complete more tasks and withdraw your (non-existent) earnings. But if you do make the deposit, you lose your real money, and you never receive the illusory pay. Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said these types of scammers typically prey on job-seekers who are new to the job market, people who have been out of the job market for some time (such as homemakers re-entering the workforce, whose children are grown), and immigrants, who may be less familiar with the employment landscape or who face language barriers. 'Often the job will have an easy interview or no interview, promise to let you work from home, and let you start right away,' Velasquez said. 'Sometimes they'll start with praise, and the person will feel their skills are recognized. 'Oh, you think I'm great? Tell me more.'' Velasquez emphasized the vulnerability of people looking for work, especially given ongoing economic uncertainty, who may choose to accept a role even if it initially feels shady. 'Sometimes the ask is to leave phony reviews for products,' she said. 'The scammers are probably selling those reviews illegally, but a job-seeker might look at a line and say, 'I'll cross that line. I've got to eat.'' — Ignore any generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs, no matter how specific or complimentary the messages. — Never pay to get paid, or to get a job. That requirement is a red flag that the position is a scam. — Don't trust employers who says they'll pay you to rate or like things online, without an above-board process for using the actual products or services you're rating. ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Beware of scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks
NEW YORK (AP) — As job-seekers look for work in a challenging environment, an increasing number are falling victim to job scams that promise good pay for completing easy online tasks, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scams start innocuously, often with a tailor-made text or WhatsApp message, and the scammers take time to build trust with the victim before cashing in on the relationship. 'Most of the people who end up losing money to a scammer are behaving pretty rationally,' said Kati Daffan, assistant director of the Federal Trade Commission's division of marketing practices. 'Scammers are sophisticated, and they keep changing their tactics.' Reported losses to job scams increased more than threefold from 2020 to 2023. In the first half of 2024, they topped $220 million, according to the FTC. Gamified job scams, or task scams, represented a significant portion of that growth. About 20,000 people reported experiencing gamified scams in the first part of 2024, compared to 5,000 in all of 2023. Daffan said that that the number is certainly an underestimate, because many people don't report their experiences of job scams to law enforcement or government trackers. 'Only 4.8% of people complain,' she said. Here's what to know: How the scams work The scam typically begins with an unexpected text or WhatsApp message from a 'recruiter' offering online work, according to the FTC. The mystery texter will say you can 'make good money' by 'product boosting' or doing 'optimization tasks' for an online platform or in an app, which might involve liking videos or rating product images. This 'job' promises to earn you money from 'commissions' per click. Once you complete the tasks, you'll see an increasing tally of 'earnings' on the platform or in the app. These earnings are fake. Eventually, the app or platform will ask you to deposit your own money, typically in crypto, to complete more tasks and withdraw your (non-existent) earnings. But if you do make the deposit, you lose your real money, and you never receive the illusory pay. Who gets targeted Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said these types of scammers typically prey on job-seekers who are new to the job market, people who have been out of the job market for some time (such as homemakers re-entering the workforce, whose children are grown), and immigrants, who may be less familiar with the employment landscape or who face language barriers. 'Often the job will have an easy interview or no interview, promise to let you work from home, and let you start right away,' Velasquez said. 'Sometimes they'll start with praise, and the person will feel their skills are recognized. 'Oh, you think I'm great? Tell me more.'' Velasquez emphasized the vulnerability of people looking for work, especially given ongoing economic uncertainty, who may choose to accept a role even if it initially feels shady. 'Sometimes the ask is to leave phony reviews for products,' she said. 'The scammers are probably selling those reviews illegally, but a job-seeker might look at a line and say, 'I'll cross that line. I've got to eat.'' Tips for spotting a task-based scam — Ignore any generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs, no matter how specific or complimentary the messages. — Never pay to get paid, or to get a job. That requirement is a red flag that the position is a scam. — Don't trust employers who says they'll pay you to rate or like things online, without an above-board process for using the actual products or services you're rating. ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As The Labor Market Gets Rockier, Job Offer Scams Are On The Rise Duping Millennials And Gen Zers
Consumers reported losing $470 million to text message scams in 2024, the Federal Trade Commission reports. The most common text message scam was fake package delivery, followed by bogus job opportunities. While these job opportunity scams can vary widely, they most often look like purported recruiters reaching out about positions available at well-known, well-respected companies. Scammers will then ask for identifying information, like social security numbers or driver's license details, in order to solidify the offer. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to 'We are definitely seeing both a growth in reported losses to text scams and also a growth in reported losses to job scams,' Kati Daffan, an attorney for the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, told Business Insider. 'Reported losses to job scams increased more than three times between 2020 and 2023.' Experts are now warning the outlet that these text message job scams could get worse. As the labor market gets rockier, Americans feel more stress surrounding their financial positions, and people are increasingly looking for remote work options they become easier targets, Business Insider reports. Meanwhile, AI is making the scams easier to run and lending them an air of authenticity that makes them more believable. 'It's likely that as unemployment increases and more people are worried about the economic uncertainty, if the scams aren't necessarily increasing, the likelihood that people might fall for them will be,' Selena Larson, a threat researcher at cybersecurity company Proofpoint, told Business Insider. Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Identity Theft Resource Center CEO Eva Velasquez explained to Business Insider that the scams are not only lucrative for those behind them because they can "capture not only your data but often your money," but also because they require relatively little effort from the scammers. The scammers are asking for information that would be par for the course in a real hiring process, so it doesn't take much convincing for people to hand it over. '[The scam] relies on this concept of social engineering and the hackers being very compelling. They make you feel something, they make you feel excited,' Larson told Business Insider. 'They make you feel like you want to be a part of this ecosystem, that this job is a great opportunity that you don't want to lose.' Surprisingly, it's not older generations that are the most likely to fall for these scams, Business Insider reports. Instead, it's millennials and Gen Zers who are used to conducting much of their life digitally.'You look at the Gen Zs and the younger millennials and they just click, click, click, click, click, click,' Alex Quilici, the CEO of YouMail, a service that helps block scam texts and calls, told Business Insider. At this point, there is no clear path for cracking down on these scams, so it's up to the individual consumer to protect themselves. Experts told Business Insider that the best ways to do this are by slowing down when considering these offers, never clicking on links included in suspicious text messages or e-mails, and refusing to send money to unknown entities. 'One of the reasons that job scams are flourishing is that many people do want to work extra and make extra income, and they're looking for an opportunity to do that,' Daffan says. 'And scammers know that, and so they know there's a big market out there if they can have a convincing job scam. And, unfortunately, that is the case.' Read Next:Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article As The Labor Market Gets Rockier, Job Offer Scams Are On The Rise Duping Millennials And Gen Zers originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
