Security Corner Blog

Searching for a new job or looking for a side hustle can be exciting—but scammers know people are looking for ways to earn extra money. Fake job and side-hustle scams can appear convincing, using real company names, professional-looking websites, fake interviews, and even convincing job descriptions.

The goal? To steal your money, personal information, or both.

How Fake Job Scams Work

A scammer may pose as a recruiter or hiring manager and contact you through a job board, email, text message, or social media. They may offer you a remote position with flexible hours and surprisingly high pay.

After gaining your trust, they might ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security number or bank account information. Others may send you a check and ask you to deposit it, then send some of the money back or use it to purchase gift cards. The check may appear to clear at first but later be returned as fake, leaving you responsible for the money you sent or spent.

Scammers can also impersonate legitimate companies or recruiters, making a fake opportunity look surprisingly real. The FBI has warned about fraudulent work-from-home opportunities and scammers impersonating legitimate businesses or recruiting agencies.

Watch Out for These Side-Hustle Red Flags

Not every flexible or work-from-home opportunity is a scam. However, be cautious if an opportunity:

1. Promises big money for very little work
2. Requires you to pay upfront for training, equipment, certifications, or access
3. Contacts you unexpectedly through text, WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media
4. Pressures you to accept an offer immediately
5. Requests sensitive personal or financial information before you've verified the employer
6. Sends you a check and asks you to send money back
7. Asks you to purchase gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other items as part of the job
8. Claims you can earn money by liking videos, rating products, or "optimizing" websites
9. Requires you to deposit your own money to unlock additional work or withdraw your supposed earnings

One particularly sneaky version is a task scam. You may be offered simple online tasks and shown fake earnings accumulating in an app. Eventually, you're told to deposit your own money—often cryptocurrency—to complete more tasks or withdraw your "earnings." The earnings aren't real, and the money you deposit goes to the scammer.

Remember: You Should Never Have to Pay to Get Paid

A legitimate employer doesn't require you to pay money to receive a job.

If someone tells you that you need to pay a fee, purchase equipment from a specific seller, deposit money to unlock your earnings, or send money back from a check they provided, stop and investigate before doing anything else. The FTC specifically warns that legitimate employers won't ask you to pay to get a job.

Before You Accept That Job, Do Your Homework

A few extra minutes of research can help you avoid major financial headaches.

Research the company. Visit the company's official website independently rather than clicking a link provided by the recruiter. Search the company name along with words like "scam," "complaint," or "review."

Verify the recruiter. Check whether the person contacting you actually works for the company. If you're unsure, contact the company using contact information from its official website—not information provided in the suspicious message.

Take your time. Scammers may create a sense of urgency by telling you the position will disappear if you don't accept immediately. A legitimate opportunity shouldn't require a rushed decision.

Don't share sensitive information before you've verified the employer. Before providing your Social Security number, bank information, driver's license, or other sensitive information, make sure you've independently verified the employer and the position.

Talk to someone you trust. Sometimes a second set of eyes can spot a red flag you miss.

Already Responded to a Scam? Here's What to Do

If you've given information or money to a fake employer or side-hustle scam, don't panic—but act quickly.

1. Stop communicating with the scammer.
2. Don't send additional money or information.
3. Contact your financial institution if you provided banking information or sent money. Ask what steps may be available to protect your account or reverse the transaction.
4. Change passwords if you shared login credentials.
5. Save evidence, including emails, texts, screenshots, job postings, payment records, and the scammer's contact information.
6. Report the scam to the appropriate authorities.

Reporting a scam can help investigators identify patterns and stop scammers from targeting other people.

Where to Report a Fake Job or Side-Hustle Scam

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Report job scams, side-hustle scams, and other fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses reports to identify scams and investigate fraudulent activity.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
If the scam involved online or internet-based criminal activity, you can file a report with FBI IC3. The FBI specifically asks victims of fraudulent work-from-home and task scams to report them through IC3.

Your State Attorney General
You can report scams and fraudulent business practices to your state attorney general. Find your state attorney general through the National Association of Attorneys General.

Local Law Enforcement
If you've lost money or believe you've been the victim of a crime, contact your local police or sheriff's office using its official non-emergency phone number or website.

Bottom Line

A job offer should help you make money—not ask you to send money first.

If an opportunity promises fast cash, minimal work, guaranteed earnings, or a job you can start immediately, take a step back. Verify the company, research the offer, and never pay someone to get paid.

When it comes to job and side-hustle offers, if it sounds too good to be true, it deserves a closer look.