INDIANAPOLIS -- This is a time of year when a lot of people take on extra part-time jobs to make extra money for the holidays.
Scammers are well aware of this and see it as an opportunity to go after potential victims who are eager to land a side gig. The Federal Trade Commission just sent out an alert about scam job offer text messages that tend to get more common during the holiday season.
At first, it may seem obvious that you wouldn’t believe an offer for a job you never applied for. However, according to the FTC, the scammers are pretty sneaky about how they do this. They often send a text saying they’re a recruiter for a company that’s looking to fill positions. It might even look like the text is from a company you know. Sometimes they can make it even more realistic by copying outdated online job postings from real companies and replacing the contact information with their own.
Typically, the fake recruiter will ask you to respond with some personal or financial information, which is what they’re really after.
If you get one of these text messages, the FTC offers these words of caution:
- Start your job search with sources you know are legit. Try visiting sites like your state’s job bank at Career OneStop. In Indiana, that will take you to Indiana Career Connect.
- Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you think the text could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real — not the information in the text.
- Do some research. Search online for the name of the company and words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” If you can’t find the company online, steer clear.
- Block unwanted texts. Scammers send texts designed to get your attention. Some phone settings and call-blocking apps let you block unwanted texts so you don’t hear from scammers in the first place.
If you spot a text scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward it to 7726 (SPAM), or use your phone’s report “junk” option to delete and report it.