Job & Employment Scams
Task Scam
Fake work-from-home jobs where you complete tasks for "commissions" but must pay deposits that you never get back.
Reported Losses
Part of $501 million in job scam losses (2024)
Primary Targets
Job seekers, people needing extra income, students
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
Commission Scam
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam Works
You're recruited for easy "tasks" paying generous commissions:
**The pitch:** "Earn $100-$500/day from home! Just like products, rate apps, or complete simple tasks!"
**How it works:** 1. You join a Telegram or WhatsApp group 2. Complete simple tasks (like ratings or views) for small payments 3. You actually receive small commissions initially 4. Introduced to "combo tasks" that require deposits 5. "Deposit $100 to unlock $300 task" 6. After deposit, there's a "problem" requiring another deposit 7. Deposits grow larger, you're chasing losses 8. Eventually, the group disappears with your money
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️Recruited via unsolicited text or WhatsApp message
- ⚠️Tasks require deposits to participate
- ⚠️Must buy crypto or gift cards for "working capital"
- ⚠️Commission structure requires more deposits to unlock earnings
- ⚠️Chat groups with others also "making money"
- ⚠️Urgency to complete tasks before time expires
- ⚠️Can't withdraw earnings without more deposits
📝 Real Victim Account
"I got a WhatsApp message offering $200/day for 'product optimization tasks.' I earned $30 the first day doing easy ratings. Then they said I needed to deposit $200 to access better tasks. I did. I made $400 but couldn't withdraw without depositing $500 more. I deposited $2,000 total before realizing I'd never get any of it back."
— BBB Scam Tracker
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Never pay money to earn money
- 2Be suspicious of easy, high-paying work-from-home jobs
- 3Ignore unsolicited job offers via text or WhatsApp
- 4Research any company before engaging
- 5If you must deposit to work, it's a scam
- 6Other people in the group may be fake or shills
- 7Don't chase losses with more deposits
🆘 What to Do If You're a Victim
- 1Stop depositing immediately — you won't recover by putting in more
- 2Screenshot all evidence before accounts disappear
- 3Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 4Report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
- 5If you sent crypto, report to the exchange
- 6Share your experience to warn others
🔗 Related Scams
📚 Sources & References
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