How to spot and avoid task scams on WhatsApp, Telegram
The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a consumer alert warning the public about the growing threat of task scams, also known as gamified job scams, which are increasingly being used to defraud individuals through messaging platforms. According to the FTC, these scams begin with an unexpected message on WhatsApp, Telegram, text message, or social media, offering quick money through simple online tasks such as "optimisation" or "product boosting." The FTC warns that there are no commissions, and only the scammers make money. Scammers may even pay small amounts, typically between $5 and $20, to gain the victim's trust.
Once trust is established, victims are told they must deposit their own money, usually in cryptocurrency, to unlock and complete the next set of tasks and withdraw their supposed earnings. The FTC advises the public to ignore generic or unexpected job offers, as legitimate employers will never contact individuals that way. Consumers are also warned never to pay anyone to get paid or to secure a job, as that is a sure sign of a scam. Additionally, individuals should not trust anyone who claims to pay for positive ratings or online likes, as no honest company engages in such practices.
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The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a consumer alert regarding task scams, also known as gamified job scams, which are
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