Cyber for Normies

Scam texts

Random job offer text? It's probably a scam

By . Published . Last reviewed . Every fact links to its source.

The short answer

Ignore unexpected job offers by text, WhatsApp, or Telegram. The FTC says real employers will never contact you that way (FTC).

Don’t reply "YES" or "INTERESTED," and never pay money to get a job or to get paid (FTC).

What the text looks like

+44 7700 900123

Today 11:02 AM

Hi! I'm a recruiter. We're hiring for a remote position as an online assessor. $300-$900 per day. Reply YES if interested.

  1. No real job details
  2. Big pay, no details
  3. They want a reply
  4. You never applied
Example. A made-up text based on the FTC’s description of fake recruiter texts.

Signs it’s a scam

  • You didn’t apply. A recruiter texts out of the blue, sometimes naming a company you know (FTC).
  • Pay, but no real job details. Fake recruiters mention daily or weekly pay without describing the job (FTC).
  • "Tasks" like rating or liking things. You see fake earnings in an app, then you’re told to deposit your own money, often in crypto, to unlock more tasks or withdraw (FTC).
  • A check to deposit, then send some back. That’s a fake check scam. The check bounces and you owe the bank (FTC).

How to check a job offer

  1. Don’t click links or reply (FTC).
  2. Contact the company yourself using a website or phone number you know is real (FTC).
  3. Search the company name plus "review," "scam," or "complaint" (FTC).
  4. Never pay to get a job. Honest employers won’t ask (FTC).

What to do if you already responded

  1. If you paid, contact the company you used to send the money right away and ask to reverse it (FTC).
  2. If you shared your Social Security number or bank details, go to IdentityTheft.gov.
  3. Stop depositing money into a task app, no matter what it shows you’ve earned (FTC).
  4. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) (FTC).

Common questions

Do real recruiters text job offers?

The FTC says real employers will never contact you with generic, unexpected texts, WhatsApp, or Telegram messages about jobs (FTC).

What is a task scam?

A fake job where you do online tasks for fake commissions, then get told to deposit your own money to keep going or cash out (FTC).

They paid me a little at first. Is it real?

Not necessarily. The FTC says task scammers may pay a small amount first to gain your trust (FTC).

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. If money already left your account, call your bank or card company first.

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Sources

  1. That job offer text is probably a scam (FTC)
  2. That random text offering you a job? It's probably a scam (FTC)
  3. How to spot and avoid task scams (FTC)
  4. Job Scams (FTC)
  5. IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
  6. ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC)