Beware of Work-From-Home Job Scams

Work-from-home jobs can be a great opportunity, but scammers are taking advantage of this trend to trick people. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from these fraudulent schemes.

How the Scam Works
Scammers often pose as legitimate businesses, such as staffing or recruiting agencies, and reach out to potential victims through unsolicited calls or messages. They offer seemingly easy jobs, like rating restaurants or "optimizing" a service by clicking a button repeatedly.

Here’s their method:

• Confusing Payment Structure: They create a payment system that requires you to make cryptocurrency payments to unlock more work or earn more money.
• Fake Earnings Interface: They set up a fake interface that shows you earning money, but when you try to cash out, you can't.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Cryptocurrency Payments: You're asked to make cryptocurrency payments to your employer.
• Simple Tasks: The job involves simple tasks and uses vague terms like "optimization."
• No References Needed: The hiring process doesn’t require any references.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Job Offers: Don’t click on links, download files, or open attachments from unsolicited messages.
• Never Send Money to Employers: Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay them.
• Avoid Services Claiming to Recover Lost Cryptocurrency: These are often scams themselves.
• Protect Your Personal Information: Don’t share financial or personal details with unsolicited job offers.

Report It

If you encounter these scams or any suspicious activity, report it to the FBI IC3 at www.ic3.gov.