The Scariest Thing This Halloween Isn't a Costume. It's a Fake Job Offer.

The Federal Trade Commission reports that job and employment agency scam reports tripled from 2020 to 2024, while reported losses jumped from $90 million to $501 million. The broader "business and job opportunities" category reached $750.6 million in losses in 2024.

Fraud overall keeps climbing. In March 2026 testimony, the FTC said consumers filed 3 million fraud reports in 2025 and reported $15.9 billion in losses.

No wonder job seekers are suspicious. In Gartner's research, only about half of candidates believed the jobs they applied to were legitimate.

The task scam. You're "hired" to rate products, like videos or click links. You earn a few small payments at first, which feels real. Then you're told to deposit your own money to unlock bigger tasks or withdraw your earnings. The FTC has said task scams make up a large share of job scam reports.

The surprise text. An unsolicited message offers remote work with great pay. FTC data shows reports of these job text scams grew from 4,872 in 2020 to 20,673 in 2024.

The fake check. You receive a check for "home office equipment," deposit it and send part of the money to a "vendor." Days later the check bounces, and you owe the bank the full amount.

The chat-app interview. The entire "interview" happens by text or messaging app, and an offer arrives within the hour. Real employers almost never hire this way.

The impersonated recruiter. Scammers copy real company names, including staffing firms, and use lookalike email addresses or fake social profiles.

• Any request for money, gift cards, crypto or equipment purchases

• An offer without a real interview with a real person

• Pressure to accept today, "before the role fills"

• Requests for your bank details or Social Security number before a written offer

• An email from a free account or a domain that's one letter off from the real company

• Pay that's far above market for simple work

Here's what makes this confusing: legitimate employers do eventually need sensitive information. After you accept a written offer, you'll complete hiring paperwork for tax withholding and work authorization, and direct deposit setup requires bank details.

The difference is timing and process. Real employers collect this after a formal offer, through official onboarding systems, not in a text thread with someone you've never spoken to.

Find the company yourself. Search for its official website. Don't click links in the message.

Contact them through official channels. Use the phone number or email on the company's website and ask whether the recruiter and role are real.

Check the job posting. Is the role listed on the company's real careers page?

Search the recruiter. Look up their name with the company name. Real recruiters usually have a consistent professional footprint.

Remember who pays. Legitimate staffing firms are generally paid by employers, not job seekers. If anyone asks you to pay to get a job, stop.

Stop responding and don't send more money. If you shared financial information, contact your bank right away. Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If someone impersonated a real company, let that company know so it can warn others.

And don't be embarrassed. These scams are designed by professionals to fool smart people. Reporting them protects the next person.

When scammers impersonate your brand, real candidates stop trusting your real messages. Post a short note on your careers page explaining how you contact candidates and what you'll never ask for. And on the flip side, candidates aren't the only ones who fake identities. (See our post on fake job candidates and deepfake interviews.)

How much do people lose to job scams?

Reported job and employment agency scam losses reached $501 million in 2024, up from $90 million in 2020, according to the FTC.

What is a task scam?

A scam that pays small amounts for simple online tasks, then asks you to deposit your own money to continue or withdraw earnings.

Do real recruiters ask for money?

No. Legitimate recruiters and staffing firms don't ask job seekers to pay for jobs, training or equipment.

Looking for a real job with real people? If someone claims to be from Mintex Staffing, call us at +1 (732) 983-5723 or email info@mintexstaffing.com to confirm. Browse genuine openings on our apply to jobs page or share your resume directly. Know your rights before the interview with our New Jersey interview rights guide.