Rising Task Scams Target Job Seekers Amid Economic Uncertainty
MILLCREEK — Economic pressures are prompting many to seek extra work, but criminals are exploiting this trend to execute job scams on an alarming scale. Tom Foulger, eager for remote work, fell victim to one such scam after receiving a tempting job offer claiming he could earn $300 a day for minimal effort. The recruiter’s pitch involved working for the legitimate food app ChowNow, ostensibly to help with ratings and app optimization.
Initially, Foulger received payments in Bitcoin but soon found himself trapped in a cycle of debt. To access his earnings, he was instructed to add more money to offset a growing negative balance. Ultimately, Foulger lost nearly $1,300 and realized he had been conned when attempts to cash out were met with resistance.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that task scams have surged by 300% between 2023 and 2024, with Utahns losing approximately $4.4 million to employment-related scams last year. The FBI warns that these scammers often impersonate reputable brands, requiring victims to invest their money, primarily in cryptocurrency.
To avoid falling prey to such scams, experts advise ignoring unsolicited job messages and being cautious of companies that ask for upfront investments. Reporting incidents to the FBI and staying vigilant can help others avoid the pitfalls faced by victims like Foulger.
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