SCAM AWARENESSTask job scams
A task job scam, sometimes called a gamified job scam, offers easy online work like rating products, liking videos, or "optimizing" apps. At first it seems to pay. But soon you are told to deposit your own money to unlock more tasks or withdraw your earnings, and that money is gone.
How this scam works
It usually begins with an unexpected text, WhatsApp, or Telegram message from a friendly "recruiter." You are shown an app or website where you complete simple tasks and watch your earnings grow. You may be added to a group chat where others brag about their payouts. To build trust, the scammer might send you a small real payment early on.
Then the rules change. A "special combo task" puts your account in the negative, or you must pay a fee to withdraw. You are told to deposit money, often in cryptocurrency, to catch up. Each deposit leads to a bigger request. The earnings shown on screen are fake, and when you finally stop paying, the account is frozen and the contacts disappear.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGE"Hi! I'm a recruiter for a digital marketing team. Earn $200 to $500 a day rating products from home, just 60 minutes daily. No experience needed. Message me on WhatsApp at [number] to start today."
Warning signs
- You get an unexpected job offer by text, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
- The work is simple, like rating products or liking videos, for high pay.
- Your earnings appear only inside an app or website you can't verify.
- You must deposit money to unlock tasks or withdraw earnings.
- Payments are requested in cryptocurrency.
- A group chat full of "coworkers" celebrates big payouts.
How to protect yourself
- Ignore unexpected job offers sent by text or chat apps.
- Never pay anyone to get a job or to get paid.
- Remember that real employers pay you; you never pay them.
- Look up the company yourself before downloading any work app.
- Don't accept jobs that pay you to post fake reviews or likes.
- Talk with a trusted friend or family member before sending any money.
If you already responded
- Stop sending money, even if you are told one more payment will unlock everything.
- Contact your bank, payment app, or cryptocurrency exchange right away and report the fraud.
- Save screenshots of the app, chats, wallet addresses, and transaction records.
- If you shared identity documents, visit IdentityTheft.gov for next steps.
- Report the scam to the FTC and IC3, and ignore anyone offering paid help recovering your money.
Get step-by-step recovery help →
Where to report it
- FTC: How to spot and avoid task scams ↗
- Report fraud to the FTC ↗
- Report internet crime to the FBI (IC3) ↗
Common questions
Why did the task job pay me at first?
Scammers often send a small real payment early to make the job seem legitimate. It costs them little and builds your trust. Later, they ask for much larger deposits. Getting paid once does not mean the job is real, especially if you are now being asked to send money.
Is it legal to get paid for liking videos or rating products?
Honest companies don't pay people to post fake ratings, reviews, or likes. Offers like this are a common setup for task scams. Even if the money seemed real at first, the goal is to get you to deposit your own money later. Walk away from these offers.
Can I get my cryptocurrency back from a task scam?
Cryptocurrency payments are usually very hard to reverse. Report the transfer right away to the exchange you used and to IC3 and the FTC, and keep all records. Be very careful of anyone who contacts you promising to recover your crypto for a fee, since that is often a second scam.