The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.

If you’ve ever been asked to like videos or rate product images to earn money online, you may have been a victim of an online task scam, and those scams are now on the rise, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

There has been a recent spike in these online job scams, called “task scams,” over the past four years, the FTC said Thursday. The scams are often “gamified,” meaning they make the targeted consumers feel like they are playing a game versus actually working, the agency said.

“If the work feels more like an online game than an actual job, you can bet it’s a scam,” the FTC wrote on its website. 

Task scams have increased “massively” over the past four years, based on consumer complaints filed with the FTC, the agency said. While there were no task scams reported in 2020, that number rose to 5,000 in 2023. By the first half of 2024, that number had quadrupled to 20,000, the FTC said.

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These numbers could be even higher since the majority of fraud is not reported, the FTC said.

And the scams have led to an overall increase in reported losses, the FTC said. Reported losses due to job scams tripled from 2020 to 2023, totaling more than $220 million six months into 2024. 

Based on FTC data, task scams have added to the increase in reported cryptocurrency losses due to job scams. These losses amounted to $41 million during the first six months of 2024 – that’s double the amount reported lost last year.

What are task scams?

The FTC said organizers use cryptocurrency to fund the scams, and today, people report losing more money using cryptocurrency than any other method of payment.

The scams work like this:

1. Someone sends a text or WhatsApp message to the target about online jobs.
2. When the target responds, the sender says they’ll need to complete tasks related to topics such as “app optimization” or “product boosting.” 
3. Once the target begins the tasks in an online app or platform, they may get small payouts, making them think it’s a legitimate job.
4. The sender then asks the target to use their own money – usually in cryptocurrency – for the next set of tasks, promising them more money in return.
5. Once the target sends the money, it’s gone.

“But no matter what the system says you’ve earned, you didn’t,” the FTC warned. “That money isn’t real. And if you deposit money, you won’t get it back.”

According to the FTC, the scammers sometimes try to lure their hesitant targets back in. For example, if an individual is still thinking over whether they’ll deposit money, the scammers invite them to group chats where they can hear fake testimonials from “experienced workers.”

How can I protect myself against these scams?

The FTC said there are steps people can take so they don’t fall victim to these gamified task scams.

Those who want to stay safe and prevent losses should ignore generic and unexpected texts or WhatsApp messages about jobs. 

“Real employers will never contact you that way,” the FTC said, adding that consumers should never pay anyone to get paid. Also, don’t trust anyone who says they will pay you to rate or like things online.

“That’s illegal and no honest company will do it,” the FTC said.

Consumers can report fraud at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia–the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartinor email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.

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