What do you think of this job proposition? Once you make a payment, you receive earnings. Sounds suspicious, doesn’t it? In reality, it’s one of the rapidly expanding work frauds today.
When examining work deceptions overall, data from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reveals that reports of work swindles have almost tripled between 2020 and 2024. Furthermore, the reported losses have surged more than five times, reaching $501 million in 2024.
In general, work deceptions are more prevalent and pricier than ever before.
And at the forefront of these losses is a fresh type of work fraud, where victims indeed must “pay to get paid.”
“Payment for earning,” the trendiest work deception at the moment
The FTC has labeled these “payment for earning” frauds as “gamified work scams” or “task deceptions.” Given how these frauds operate, the labels are fitting. The tasks seem like a game, but the sole winner is the fraudster.
The process unfolds as follows:
You receive a work offer through text or a private message. The fraudster offers you “work” involving “app enhancement” or “product promotion,” which they often describe vaguely.
You agree to the offer. Subsequently, the fraudster sets you up with an account on an app or platform where you are assigned tasks to “like” or “rate” various videos or product images online.
You begin working. The app or platform is counterfeit, yet it appears as though you are accumulating earnings as you click and finish sets of tasks. At this point, the fraudster might provide a couple of small payments, making you believe the job is genuine.
The fraudster sets the trap.
Here’s where the game-like “payment for earning” aspect emerges—if you desire more tasks, you must make a payment for it. At this stage, the fraudster demands a “deposit” for your subsequent task set. Similar to a video game, the fraudster enhances the offer by stating that the next set could boost your earnings.
You fall victim to the deception.
You make the payment, complete the task set, and attempt to retrieve your earnings from the app or platform—only to discover that the fraudster and your money have vanished. It was all deception.
Drawing from past experiences, these deceptions borrow from other “easy money” cons found on payment apps. “Easy money” scams progress gradually as fraudsters gain victims’ trust by providing small returns on minor investments over time. Ultimately, once the fraudulent scheme is set, the fraudster requests a large sum and disappears with the money. “Payment for earning” frauds can follow a similar pattern.
Here are a few points to remember about this deception:
- According to the FTC, any work that compensates you for “liking” or “rating” content is unlawful. The irony lies here. It instructs you to engage in an illegal activity, which leads to another illegal act—theft.
- Reports indicate that fraudsters frequently finance these deceptions with cryptocurrency. In reality, the FTC states that individuals lose significantly more money to employment frauds using cryptocurrency compared to other payment methods.
Protect Your Finances from “Payment for Earning” Work Scams
Step one—disregard work offers via text and social media
A legitimate recruiter will contact you through email or on a professional networking site. Additionally, they will provide clear job details and respond to your inquiries with equal clarity.
Conversely, scammers send vague texts and private messages. They often create hype but lack specifics. Inquiring about the job will result in similarly nebulous responses. Ignore such offers.
Step two—research the company
For online job offers in general, investigate the company. Examine their background and verify if it is a legitimate company—and if the information correlates with what the recruiter is presenting to you.
In the U.S., there are several resources that can assist in answering that question. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) features a searchable directory of businesses in the U.S., alongside a brief profile, rating, and a list of complaints (with company responses) lodged against them. Spending time here can quickly clarify the legitimacy of a company.
For information on businesses with U.S. and global operations, organizations like S&P Global Ratings and the Dun and Bradstreet Corporation can supply background
details as well.
Finally, explore the organization’s site. Look for a vacancy that aligns with the one presented to you. Conducting groundwork like this can aid in uncovering a fraudulent scheme.
Third step—decline payment
Despite its simplicity, refrain from making payments to receive payment.
In any scenario where you are requested to make an upfront payment using any method, reject the request. A reputable employer will never require you to invest or deposit a small sum of money with the promise of significant returns. Furthermore, a credible employer will furnish you with resources like training or equipment essential for the role you are qualified for.
Additional methods to steer clear of online scams
Our online security software can significantly enhance your protection against job scams and online frauds in general. Specifically regarding job scams, here are a few ways it can provide assistance:
- Fraudsters employ links to malicious websites to deceive individuals into divulging their personal details. Through our inclusive plans, our web protection feature can steer you away from such deceptive links.
- Scammers like embedding texts with hyperlinks to suspicious websites and other locations where they can pilfer personal information. With McAfee+, you can block these links and prevent inadvertent clicks. Advanced AI technology can identify potential scams by scanning URLs in your messages. In case you mistakenly click on a malicious link, it will prevent access to risky websites.
- Scammers procure your contact details from various sources. Many scammers obtain this information from data broker websites. Capitalizing on vast data sets on billions of individuals, they can collect your contact information along with other personal data to orchestrate a highly targeted exploitation. Utilize McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup tool to scan for some of the most risky data broker platforms, identify those selling your personal information, and, based on your subscription, assist in its removal.
- You can also reduce your visibility on social platforms using our Social Privacy Manager tool. This tool facilitates the management of over 100 privacy settings across your social media profiles with just a few clicks, limiting exposure of your personal data solely to individuals with whom you wish to share.
The article “Pay to Get Paid” – The New Job Scam That’s Raking in Millions Right Now was initially published on McAfee Blog.
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