The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about the growing prevalence of “task scams,” fraudulent online job schemes often disguised as simple, gamified tasks such as liking videos or rating product images. These scams, which typically target people via text or WhatsApp, have surged over the past four years, costing victims millions of dollars.
What Are Task Scams?
Task scams lure victims by making them believe they’re participating in legitimate online jobs. Scammers often disguise these schemes as activities like “app optimization” or “product boosting,” and they frequently involve cryptocurrency transactions.
Here’s how the scam works:
- Initial Contact: Victims receive unsolicited messages about online job opportunities.
- Early Payouts: Victims complete small tasks on an online platform and receive small payments to build trust.
- Payment Request: Victims are then asked to invest their own money—often in cryptocurrency—for future tasks with the promise of greater returns.
- Loss of Funds: Once victims send the requested money, they’re left empty-handed, as the promised earnings are fabricated.
Scammers may also use group chats filled with fake testimonials from supposed participants to convince hesitant victims to comply.
“Whatever earnings you see on the system aren’t real,” the FTC cautions. “If you deposit money, you won’t get it back.”
A Growing Problem
The FTC reports a massive increase in task scams over recent years:
- In 2020, no complaints about task scams were recorded.
- By 2023, there were 5,000 complaints, a number that quadrupled to 20,000 in the first half of 2024.
The financial losses tied to job scams, including task scams, have also skyrocketed. Reported losses tripled between 2020 and 2023, totaling over $220 million by mid-2024. Cryptocurrency losses alone reached $41 million during the first six months of this year, doubling last year’s figures.
These numbers may understate the problem, as the majority of fraud cases go unreported, according to the FTC.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling victim to task scams, the FTC advises the following precautions:
- Ignore Unsolicited Messages: Be wary of unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages offering jobs. Legitimate employers do not recruit this way.
- Never Pay to Work: Honest companies will not ask for payment to complete tasks or get paid.
- Be Skeptical of Simple Jobs: Offers to pay for activities like liking videos or rating products are illegal and should raise red flags.
The FTC also urges consumers to report suspicious activity at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
A Broader Threat
As scammers increasingly leverage cryptocurrency and gamified platforms to exploit victims, the FTC emphasizes the importance of vigilance. “If it feels more like a game than a real job,” the agency warns, “it’s likely a scam.”
Staying informed and cautious is key to protecting yourself and your finances from these deceptive schemes.
