Scam alert—why your phone is suddenly getting fake job offers
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In today’s fast-moving digital world, your smartphone is more than a communication tool—it’s a job board, a bank, and a lifeline.
But it’s also becoming ground zero for a rising wave of text message scams disguised as job opportunities.
If you've received a sudden offer via text that seems too good to be true, you’re not alone—and you might be a target.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a stark warning: scammers are increasingly using unsolicited job texts to trick Americans into giving up personal information or even cash.
In 2023, victims reported $14.8 million in losses. In 2024, that number skyrocketed to $61.2 million.
“The worrying thing is that we know these high numbers are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Kati Daffan, an assistant director at the FTC’s Division of Marketing Practices, “because, of course, not everyone reports to us when they experience this fraud.”
Sunita Dhougoda, a 37-year-old freelance software engineer from North Carolina, was one of the lucky ones.
After receiving a job offer via text, she clicked a Microsoft Teams link and participated in a written interview.
“The interview went well, and they told me they would get back to me in a few days,” Dhougoda said.
But when the offer arrived, it came from an unusual address—[email protected]—instead of the verified domain for the healthcare software company, AssureCare.
“It was a scam, so I never responded,” she said.
According to FTC data, reports of job scams delivered by text increased from 4,872 in 2020 to over 20,000 by 2024. And the technology scammers are using plays into natural human tendencies.
“Anything that is immediate, you’re hardwired to respond to it. So, a text has a certain amount of immediacy to it. So you see that (and think) I need to either click on that link or I need to call that phone number, whatever it is that it’s asking you to do,” said James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center.
“We’re just sort of natural instinct is to do that, which is why it’s important we resist that natural instinct.”
Experts say the economic climate may also be fueling the problem. In a more competitive job market, people are more likely to respond to messages they would have ignored before.
“Now that the labor market is more competitive, people may be willing to take jobs that they weren’t necessarily willing to take before,” said Kory Kantenga, LinkedIn’s head of economics for the Americas. “As a result, there may be some advertisements that they receive that they would have previously ignored, that they’re willing to click on. Folks who are looking to commit scams know this, and they may be taking advantage of that as a result.”
Scams may evolve, but your ability to spot and avoid them can keep you—and your finances—safe.
Read next:
Have you received a job offer by text that didn’t seem quite right? Did you fall for it—or dodge it just in time? Share your experience in the comments to help others stay informed and alert. Let’s keep our community one step ahead of the scammers.
But it’s also becoming ground zero for a rising wave of text message scams disguised as job opportunities.
If you've received a sudden offer via text that seems too good to be true, you’re not alone—and you might be a target.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a stark warning: scammers are increasingly using unsolicited job texts to trick Americans into giving up personal information or even cash.
In 2023, victims reported $14.8 million in losses. In 2024, that number skyrocketed to $61.2 million.
“The worrying thing is that we know these high numbers are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Kati Daffan, an assistant director at the FTC’s Division of Marketing Practices, “because, of course, not everyone reports to us when they experience this fraud.”
If you've received a sudden offer via text that seems too good to be true, you’re not alone—and you might be a target. Image source: Samuel Angor / Unsplash
Sunita Dhougoda, a 37-year-old freelance software engineer from North Carolina, was one of the lucky ones.
After receiving a job offer via text, she clicked a Microsoft Teams link and participated in a written interview.
“The interview went well, and they told me they would get back to me in a few days,” Dhougoda said.
But when the offer arrived, it came from an unusual address—[email protected]—instead of the verified domain for the healthcare software company, AssureCare.
“It was a scam, so I never responded,” she said.
According to FTC data, reports of job scams delivered by text increased from 4,872 in 2020 to over 20,000 by 2024. And the technology scammers are using plays into natural human tendencies.
“Anything that is immediate, you’re hardwired to respond to it. So, a text has a certain amount of immediacy to it. So you see that (and think) I need to either click on that link or I need to call that phone number, whatever it is that it’s asking you to do,” said James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center.
“We’re just sort of natural instinct is to do that, which is why it’s important we resist that natural instinct.”
Experts say the economic climate may also be fueling the problem. In a more competitive job market, people are more likely to respond to messages they would have ignored before.
“Now that the labor market is more competitive, people may be willing to take jobs that they weren’t necessarily willing to take before,” said Kory Kantenga, LinkedIn’s head of economics for the Americas. “As a result, there may be some advertisements that they receive that they would have previously ignored, that they’re willing to click on. Folks who are looking to commit scams know this, and they may be taking advantage of that as a result.”
Scams may evolve, but your ability to spot and avoid them can keep you—and your finances—safe.
Read next:
- FCC warns homeowners about dangerous mortgage lending scam
- Discover the smart scam alert that could protect your bank account!
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