How does this occupational proposal appear? When you invest, you receive payment. Seems suspicious, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s one of the swiftly advancing work deceptions prevailing currently.
Evaluating work deceptions holistically, data from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) indicates that reports of work cons have nearly tripled between 2020 and 2024. Moreover, reported financial losses escalated over fivefold—peaking at $501 million in 2024.
In summary, work deceptions are more widespread and more expensive than ever.
And at the forefront of these losses is a fresh kind of work fraud, where victims indeed “exchange money to earn money.”
“Exchange money to earn money,” the most popular job fraud prevalent
The FTC has labeled these “exchange money to earn money” cheats as “gamified job scams” or “task scams.” Given the modus operandi of these rackets, the nomenclature aptly suits. The tasks feel like trivial games—and the sole victor is the swindler.
It all transpires as follows:
You receive a job offer via text message or private communication. The con artist proffers you “assignments” involving “application enhancement” or “merchandise promotion,” which they frequently portray in vague, indistinct terms.
You consent to the offer. Subsequently, the scammer arranges for you to have an account on an application or platform where you are instructed to “like” or “rate” assortments of videos or product visuals online.
You begin performing. The application or platform is fraudulent, but it gives the impression that you are accumulating fees as you engage and finish sets of tasks. At this juncture, the scammer may dispense a few nominal payments, encouraging you to believe the job is genuinely authentic.
The scammer lays the trap. Here’s where the ludicrous “exchange money to earn money” segment comes in—if you desire more “assignments,” you must pay for them. At this stage, the fraudster mandates a “deposit” for your consequent task set. Analogous to a video game, the scammer entices you by claiming the subsequent set can “upgrade” your earnings.
You become a victim of fraud.
You submit the deposit, execute the task set, and attempt to retrieve your earnings from the application or platform—only to realize that the swindler and your money have vanished. It was all a sham.
Drawing from past instances, these frauds mimic other “easy money” deceptions unearthed on payment platforms. “Easy money” cheats progress gradually as scammers foster an illusory trust with victims by generating meager returns on minor investments over time. Eventually, with the trap set, the fraudster requests a substantial sum before absconding with it. “Exchange money to earn money” deceptions can operate in a similar manner.
Additionally, keep in mind a few aspects regarding this deception:
- As per the FTC, any job that compensates you for “liking” or “rating” content is unlawful. The irony here is evident. It prompts you to execute unlawful activities, which culminate in further unlawful activities—embezzlement.
- Reports demonstrate that fraudsters typically finance these deceptions with cryptocurrency. In truth, the FTC asserts that individuals lose significantly more money to job cons utilizing cryptocurrency compared to any other payment method.
Protect Your Funds from “Exchange Money to Earn Money” Work Frauds
Initial step—disregard job offers through text and social networks
A legitimate recruiter will reach out via email or through a professional networking site. Furthermore, they will furnish you with comprehensive information regarding a prospective job, and be transparent in addressing any inquiries you may have.
Conversely, fraudsters dispatch vague texts and private messages. They often indulge in hyperbole but are terse on specifics. Inquiries about the job will elicit similarly nebulous responses. Steer clear of these offers.
Second step—investigate the company
In the realm of online job offers in general, scrutinize the company. Research their background and verify if it is a legitimate entity—and ascertain if this aligns with the information provided by the recruiter.
In the U.S., numerous resources can aid in answering that query. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides a searchable database of businesses in the U.S., along with a succinct profile, a rating, and even a compilation of complaints (and company responses) lodged against them. Dedicating some time here can swiftly illuminate the authenticity of a company.
For listings of businesses with U.S. and international presences, entities such as S&P Global Ratings and the Dun and Bradstreet Corporation can supply background information.details too.
Lastly, make sure to browse through the firm’s website. Look for any job openings that align with the one being offered to you. Conducting this kind of research can help reveal potential scams.
Step three—decline payment
As straightforward as it may seem, do not make any payment to receive payment.
In any scenario where you are requested to make an upfront payment, using any payment method, reject the offer. A reputable employer will never demand you to invest or transfer a small sum of money with the promise of a significant return. A legitimate employer will also supply you with resources like training or tools necessary to perform the job you are qualified for.
Additional methods to steer clear of online frauds
Our internet security software can greatly enhance your protection against job-related scams and scams in general. Particularly concerning job-related frauds, here are some ways in which it can offer assistance:
- Fraudsters frequently utilize links to malicious websites as a bait to acquire personal information. Web protection mechanisms, integrated within our packages, can help steer you away from those risky links.
- Scammers often embed links to suspicious websites and other platforms where they can steal personal data. McAfee+ can block these links and prevent you from inadvertently clicking on them. Advanced AI technology automatically flags scams by scrutinizing URLs within your messages. In case you mistakenly click on a harmful link, it will safeguard you by blocking access to a potentially unsafe site.
- Fraudsters obtain your contact details from various sources. Many times, they acquire it from data brokerage websites. Backed by a multitude of data points on billions of individuals, they can gather your contact information, along with other personal details, to plan a specifically tailored attack. McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup service scans some of the most risky data brokerage sites, reveals which entities are marketing your personal details, and, depending on your subscription, can assist you in removing them.
- You can also minimize your exposure on social media with our Social Privacy Manager tool. It facilitates adjustments to over 100 privacy settings across your various social media accounts within a few simple clicks, ensuring that your personal information is only visible to audiences of your choosing.
The article “Pay to Get Paid” – The New Job Scam That’s Raking in Millions Right Now was originally published on the McAfee Blog.
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