Let’s be honest—if landing a new gig was as easy as replying “Yes” to a random text, we’d all be CEOs by now.
In this publication, we’re uncovering a sneaky scam that's catching thousands off guard: fake job offers sent via text. These scams are booming, especially during uncertain economic times—and if you’re job hunting or know someone who is, this one’s worth your attention.
Scammers are sending bogus job offers via text messages, tricking people into fake interviews, stealing personal data, and costing Americans millions. Reports of this scam quadrupled between 2020 and 2024, with losses hitting $61.2 million last year alone.
How It Works:
- The Bait: You receive a friendly text claiming to be from a recruiter or HR rep—often from a known company—offering a job opportunity.
- Fake Interviews: Victims are invited to an interview, usually through platforms like Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp. The catch? It’s all text-based—no video, no voice.
- The Hook: After a convincing chat, they send a job offer letter. But there’s a red flag—the email address isn’t from the actual company (e.g., @assurecarecareers.us instead of @assurecare.com).
- The Scam: Some victims are asked for personal info, banking details, or even to buy “training equipment” upfront.
Who’s Targeted:
- Job seekers, especially during times of layoffs or economic instability.
- Freelancers and remote workers looking for flexible gigs.
- Anyone with a resume posted online (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.)
Real-Life Example:
In September 2024, Sunita Dhougoda, a freelance software engineer and mom of two, got a text offering a new job. She joined a Teams interview—text-only—and later received an offer. But when the email address didn’t match the official domain, she paused. “It was a scam,” she said. Thankfully, she didn’t respond—but many others aren’t so lucky.
In fact, in 2023, consumers lost $14.8 million to this type of fraud. In 2024? That figure quadrupled to $61.2 million, according to the FTC.
Why You Should Care:
A few taps on your phone could cost you your identity, your bank balance, and your peace of mind. These scams don’t just target people’s wallets—they exploit hope and vulnerability in tough times.
And with job cuts and economic uncertainty in the air, scammers know more people are willing to take chances on unfamiliar opportunities.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify the source: Double-check that any email or link comes from a legitimate domain (e.g., @company.com, not @careers-company.info).
- Never share sensitive info upfront: Real employers won’t ask for bank details or payments before you’ve signed a legitimate contract.
- Insist on a video call: A refusal to do a live video interview is a big red flag.
- Look them up: Research the company and contact their official HR team to verify if the job offer is real.
- Trust your gut: If it feels too easy or too good to be true, it probably is.
Quick Tips & Updates:
Quick Tip #1: Did you know? Scammers often use real company names and stolen logos to look legit—but always double-check the sender’s domain.
Pro Tip: Save suspicious texts and emails. Reporting them to the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) helps others avoid falling into the same trap.
Update: Text-based job scam reports jumped from under 5,000 in 2020 to over 20,000 in 2024. The FTC warns this trend is accelerating—and underreported.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords Defined:
- Job Scam: A fraudulent scheme that poses as a real employment opportunity to steal money or personal information.
- Spoofing: Faking a legitimate identity (like a company’s name or email) to trick victims.
- Text-Based Interview: A fake interview conducted entirely via messaging apps, with no video or phone call involved.
- FTC: The Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. agency that protects consumers from fraud and deceptive practices.
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