BBB investigation reveals reports of job scams have doubled from last year
A new in-depth Better Business Bureau investigation shows job hunters are reporting scams in droves.
They often are tricked into handing over thousands of dollars, lured by a new tactic: task-based scams that offer high pay to “like” and “subscribe” to videos online. When job seeking, it’s full-time work to avoid fraudsters.
“Over the last three years, nearly 50,000 people reported to BBB Scam Tracker after falling victim to an employment scam,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the BBB. “Reports exploded in 2025, doubling over the previous year. BBB received hundreds of reports involving task-based scams where fraudsters impersonated popular companies.”
In the new study focusing on employment scams, BBB’s International Investigations Initiative examines patterns of reports, reviews the amount of money lost, and shares stories from those caught up in the scams so consumers can avoid them.
Key findings:
• More than 600 reports to the BBB about employment scams were “task-based.”
• Job scams conducted over text messages exploded in 2025, making up half of all reports.
• Employment scams are rising, despite extensive public information about this type of fraud.
• Median losses have shrunk since 2023, but remain high at $1,000.
<strong id="strong-c97c7458ab917fae5d05911dc455d4c5">Employment scam reports across North America</strong>
BBB Scam TrackerSM employment scams by year.
Year Reports Median loss
2023 10,348 $2,000
2024 11,748 $1,500
2025 23,234 $1,000
What are the red flags of an employment scam?
• Unprompted job offers
• Jobs offered without an interview
• Too-good-to-be-true salaries
• High-pressure offers to take a job immediately
• Interviewers refuse to turn on their camera
• Payment to like or subscribe to videos online
• Charges or taxes to withdraw money already earned
• Upfront costs to begin work
How can I avoid employment scams?
• Do research on companies offering jobs. If someone reaches out to you out of the blue, attempt to find a posting for the job on the company’s official website.
• Never pay money to get your paycheck. No legitimate job will ask you to pay taxes or any other fee to “unlock” funds you have already earned.
• Avoid jobs paying you to watch videos, like them or subscribe to a channel. In nearly every case, this will be a scam.
• Always use video in an interview if possible. If an employer offers you a job without an interview, be wary.
• Always contact the company directly to make sure the offer is real before handing over any banking information.
Visit BBB.org to check out a business or register a complaint, BBB Scam TrackerSM to report a scam and BBB.org/scamstudies for more on this and other scams.