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A wave of scam text messages offering fake 'remote online evaluator' jobs has been reported across the US. These messages, sent from various US numbers, lure victims with promises of high pay for minimal work and lead to advance fee fraud, identity theft, money laundering, or phishing. Recipients are advised not to respond, share personal information, or send money, and to report such messages to authorities.
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Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting individuals with fraudulent job offers, often impersonating legitimate companies or organizations to lure victims. One reported scam involves text messages claiming to be from Indeed's recruitment team, offering highly flexible remote work with unusually high pay and benefits. The messages request recipients to respond via messaging apps or phone numbers, a tactic commonly used in employment scams to extract personal information or facilitate financial fraud. Indeed has issued warnings that it does not solicit job seekers through such channels and cautions users to be wary of unsolicited offers, especially those requesting communication outside official platforms. In a related trend, North Korean threat actors are orchestrating sophisticated fake employee schemes to secure remote positions at companies worldwide. These operations involve recruiting individuals to act as fronts for job interviews and team meetings, while the actual work is performed by North Korean operatives. The ultimate goals include stealing intellectual property, siphoning funds or cryptocurrency, and, in some cases, extorting employers. Law enforcement agencies have prosecuted individuals who knowingly participate in these schemes, highlighting the legal risks and broader security implications for organizations hiring remote workers.
Jul 1, 2026
Job-related scams have experienced a dramatic increase, with research from McAfee indicating a surge of over 1,000% between May and July 2025. Job seekers are particularly vulnerable, as they are more likely to receive unsolicited messages and may overlook warning signs, making them prime targets for scammers. These scams often involve fraudulent recruiters who lead with enticing benefit details or request sensitive personal information early in the communication process. In addition to job scams, there has been a significant rise in text message-based phishing attacks, known as smishing, which disproportionately target younger Americans aged 18 to 29. According to a report by Consumer Reports, Aspen Digital, and the Global Cyber Alliance, 30% of individuals who experienced a cyberattack or scam in the past year reported that it began via text message or messaging app, up from 20% the previous year. Phishing remains the most prevalent type of scam, with 39% of victims reporting that the attack involved messages or emails impersonating legitimate sources to solicit personal information. Nearly half of American consumers have encountered a cyberattack or digital scam, and about 1 in 10 Americans overall have lost money as a result. Scammers are systematically targeting essential aspects of modern life, including job hunting, online shopping, financial management, and technology adoption. The success of these scams often relies on exploiting victims' emotions, urgency, and distraction, rather than technical sophistication. Security experts emphasize the importance of awareness and education as critical defenses against social engineering attacks. Best practices such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and verifying communications through official channels are recommended to mitigate risk. AI-powered security awareness training is highlighted as an effective tool for organizations to reduce human risk and strengthen security culture. The reports stress that collective action is necessary, involving individuals making safer choices, industry developing more secure products, and governments holding cybercriminals accountable. The dramatic increase in scams underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive security measures. Both job seekers and younger demographics are urged to be especially cautious when responding to unsolicited messages or offers. The data suggests that as digital communication channels proliferate, so too do the opportunities for scammers to exploit unsuspecting users. Security vendors and advocacy groups continue to provide guidance and resources to help the public recognize and avoid these evolving threats. The overall trend points to a rapidly escalating threat landscape that requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to address effectively.
Jun 29, 2026
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warned that **gamified job scams**, also called **task scams**, are causing record consumer losses by luring people with unsolicited offers of easy online work. Victims are commonly contacted by text message or WhatsApp and told they can earn money by completing simple actions such as liking videos, rating product images, or performing so-called **"product boosting"** and **"optimization"** tasks. The scam relies on fake earnings displayed in an app or platform to create the illusion of profit, after which victims are pressured to send their own money to continue working or to unlock withdrawals. The FTC said scammers often demand deposits in **cryptocurrency**, while the promised commissions do not exist and only the fraudsters get paid. The agency urged consumers to ignore unexpected job offers sent through messaging apps, avoid any role that requires payment to receive wages, and be skeptical of offers to earn money for liking or rating content online.
Jul 31, 2026