Job hunters tricked into handing over thousands of dollars are being lured in with a new tactic: Task-based scams where they are offered high pay to “like” and “subscribe” to videos online.
The Better Business Bureau says over the last three years, nearly 50,000 people reported to BBB Scam Tracker after falling victim to an employment scam. Reports exploded in 2025, doubling over the previous year. BBB received hundreds of reports involving task-based scams where fraudsters impersonated popular companies.
In the new study “Employment scams soar, ‘video boosters’ left unpaid, and education needs are paramount,” BBB’s International Investigations Initiative examines patterns of reports, reviews the amount of money lost and shares stories from those caught up in the scams so consumers can avoid them.
Since 2021, the III has laid out ways consumers and businesses can avoid scams and significant monetary loss. Previous studies examined business scams, online gambling, vehicle purchases, identity theft and much more.
Key findings:
| • | Over 600 reports to BBB about employment scams were “task-based” | |
| • | Job scams conducted over text message exploded in 2025, making up half of all reports | |
| • | Employment scams are rising, despite extensive public information about this type of fraud | |
| • | Median losses shrunk since 2023 but remain high at $1,000 |
What are the red flags of an employment scam?
| • | Unprompted job offers | |
| • | Jobs offered without an interview | |
| • | Too-good-to-be-true salaries | |
| • | High-pressure offers to take a job immediately | |
| • | Interviewers refuse to turn on camera | |
| • | Payment to like or subscribe to videos online | |
| • | Charges or taxes to withdraw money already earned | |
| • | Upfront costs to begin work |
How can I avoid employment scams?
| • | Do research on companies offering jobs. If someone reaches out to you out of the blue, attempt to find a posting for the job on the company’s official website. | |
| • | Never pay money to get your paycheck. No legitimate job will ask you to pay taxes or any other fee to “unlock” funds you have already earned. | |
| • | Avoid jobs paying you to watch videos, like them or subscribe to a channel. In nearly every case, this will be a scam. | |
| • | Always use video in an interview if possible. If an employer offers you a job without an interview, be wary. |
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