Job Scam Texts are On the Rise: Here are 5 Red Flags to Watch Out For
Editor’s note: In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we are publishing a series of blog posts dedicated to educating and informing you about cybersecurity practices. This is the third in a series of posts. Below, you can find a list of links to the rest of the series:
- FBI’s Warning: How to Protect Yourself from AI-powered Schemes
- Stuck on Windows 10? Here Are Your Options After Support Ends
- Balance in Cybersecurity: Lock the Doors Before Boarding the Windows (Posting Tuesday)
- What is a Vishing Scam and How Do I Protect Myself? (Posting Oct. 8)
- The CIA of Data Security: What It Means and Why It Matters (Posting Oct. 13)
- BYOD for Smartphones: Balancing Security, Privacy and Cost (Posting Oct. 15)
Picture this: You receive a job offer via text message. It’s your dream job, offering unlimited PTO, a flexible schedule and a massive pay raise.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s probably because it is.
It’s bad enough we have to worry about tariff scams, SIM-swapping scams, pig butchering scams and other text-based scams. Now, we can add job scam texts to the growing list.
A new survey by Resume.org found that 4 in 10 Americans say they have received a job scam text in 2025. Of those who received a text, 14% fell victim.
Promises of fast, remote income are enticing to a lot of people, especially as living costs continue to rise and student debt mounts for recent graduates.
But it’s important to recognize the signs of a scam so you don’t lose money or have your identity stolen.
Let’s talk about how job scam texts work and what the five red flags to watch out for are so you don’t become another victim.
How Does a Job Scam Text Work?
Hoping to prey on individuals who are desperate for additional income, a job scam text promises quick, easy money while generally working from the comforts of home.
According to the survey, individuals who receive these texts often are asked to pay upfront fees before they can begin “working.” Of course, the job is fake, but it’s a way for scammers to earn your trust.
Other victims reported they were told to buy fake equipment or pay for training.
Furthermore, job scam texts often will ask for personal information, much like an HR department will ask you to fill out a W-9 form when you begin a new job. Scammers then use this information to steal your identity or take money from your bank account.
So, how do you avoid falling victim to these scams?
5 Red Flags to Monitor
If you ever receive an unsolicited text offering you a job, watch out for these five red flags.
1.) Job offer came via text
The biggest and most obvious red flag is that the offer came via text message to begin with. Most jobs today are found on company websites or job posting sites like Indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn. Especially if the text is unsolicited, as in it’s a job or company you never previously interacted with, it’s probably fake. Fake job offers can come through your email, as well, but it’s more likely to be real, as staffing agencies often use online resumes to find prospective employees.
Most scams work because they force you to act quickly so you don’t logically think of what is being asked of you. Carefully study the offer before making any big decision.
2.) Details are vague
If the offer doesn’t detail the job description or tell you about the company, then it’s most likely not real. Real job postings offer a summary of the work you’ll be doing and a brief description of the company. If it seems like they’re hiding information from you, it’s probably because there’s no information to share. If they do offer some details, do your research. Find out what you can about the job or company to determine if it’s real.
3.) It sounds too good to be true
As much as anyone would love to make six figures while working from home, those kinds of jobs are few and far between. Unlimited PTO and flexible schedules with little to no training are legitimate benefits, but it’s also an empty promise to hook you. Be wary of postings that describe the benefits without talking about the actual job or company.
4.) Poor grammar or unprofessional tone
Scammers generally aren’t great with words and aren’t worried about perfect spelling or sounding professional. Chatbots like Copilot and ChatGPT help clean up those simple mistakes, but if a job description sounds like something a friend would send you, be cautious.
5.) Pressure to respond or unrealistic pay
Most scams work because they force you to act quickly so you don’t logically think of what is being asked of you. Carefully study the offer before making any big decision. If you’re forced to make a decision on the spot or notice the pay is too high for the position, then it’s probably not a real offer.
Learn More About Phishing Training
Attackers are getting better at disguising their scams. Don’t wait until someone at your organization falls victim to implement phishing training.
If you’re looking to protect your company from cybersecurity threats, contact us to learn how we can help train your employees to spot the telltale signs of a scam.
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