Job scam texts are blowing up phones everywhere, and they’re only getting sneakier. Stay one step ahead by keeping the fakes out, and help keep your information safe with Avast Mobile Security.

You’re in line for coffee when your phone buzzes: “Hi! We reviewed your profile for a remote job. $1,200/week, no experience needed! Text YES to learn more.” Looks tempting at first glance, right? But if your scam radar isn't going off yet, it should be. This "job offer" is suspiciously vague, and that's just the beginning of the red flags.

In 2024 alone, the FTC reported around $470 million in losses to text scams, and job text scams were one of the top schemes. Let’s break down what’s going on, how to spot a fake job text message, and ways to protect yourself before scammers recruit your wallet and identity.

How job scam texts actually work

Job text scams pose as legitimate employment opportunities, but instead of real jobs, they lead you to phishing links or other traps designed to steal your personal information, money, or both.

Here’s how the scam usually plays out:

1. You get a random job offer via text. It might mention your “application” (that you never submitted) or say you’ve been “selected” for a position. 
2. The offer seems easy and high-paying. Remote work, flexible hours, and no interview — it’s designed to sound like your dream gig, but it’s too good to be true.
3. You’re tempted to engage with the “recruiter.” This is the critical moment. Ignoring the whole message is the way to go. 
4. They move fast. A criminal urges you to respond immediately or risk “losing the opportunity.”
5. Then come the red flags. You’re asked to pay for training materials or equipment or provide sensitive information “for HR purposes.”
6. You send the money or information, only to never hear from them again. Sometimes, the damage keeps going, like fraudulent charges or identity theft.

For example, I recently received a scam text advertising a remote role as an “Online Evaluator.” The message included several red flags, like an AI-generated profile image and grammatical errors.

Why fake job offers are flooding phones right now

Fake job offers seem to be everywhere right now, mainly due to economic factors and shifting work culture. Here are a few reasons why you might be seeing them more often:

• Mass layoffs and a tight job market make people more open to unexpected opportunities.
• Remote work culture has normalized texting about jobs, making scam messages seem less weird.
• AI automation makes it easier for scammers to send thousands of believable messages at once.

As the job market weakens, scammers are capitalizing on the desperation of job seekers. Younger people are especially at risk since they’re newer to the job search game and are used to doing everything online.

 How to spot a fake job text message

Spotting a fake job text message may be easier than you think. You may even find these job offer scams laughable once you get the hang of it. Here are the recurring signs:

• Unexpected offers: You never applied, yet they claim to have “reviewed your profile.”
• Too-good-to-be-true perks: $750/week for data entry? With no interview? Sure, Jan.
• Pressure to act quickly: “Respond now!” or “Only one spot left!” should sound alarm bells.
• Vague job descriptions: If the description is missing the company name and manager details, or it just says “remote admin role” or “online opportunity,” it’s best to ignore it. 
• Suspicious links: URLs that look like “hiring-now-corp.io” instead of a legit domain are, you guessed it, a red flag.
• Requests for money or personal info: A real job never asks you to pay for training or to Venmo someone your “onboarding fee.”

 What happens if you fall for the scam?

Many of these scams are sophisticated and designed to trick you, so don't feel bad if you fall for one. Falling for one of these job offer scams can lead to:

• Financial loss: Paying for fake training, supplies, or background checks are a few ways this scam can affect you.
• Identity theft: Scammers might ask for your full name, birthday, address, or even your Social Security number. Once they have that, they can open credit cards or commit fraud in your name.
• Malware infection: Clicking on shady links might install spyware or ransomware on your phone.
  

How to protect yourself from fake job offers

Protecting yourself from fake job offers doesn’t require tech wizardry. It just calls for a keen eye and a few smart habits:

1. Don’t respond: Engaging with these texts shows cybercriminals that your number is active. Ignoring the message is your first line of defense.
2. Do your research: Google the company and recruiter name. Check LinkedIn or the company website to see if the role exists.
3. Verify offers directly: Contact the company using their official site, not the number in the text.
4. Never pay upfront: Legit jobs provide equipment, not the other way around. And they never ask you to send money first.
5. Block the sender: Most phones have built-in tools to block and report numbers.
6. Report it: Notify the FTC or your local consumer protection agency.
7. Stick to official platforms: Use legit job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, or ZipRecruiter. Avoid Craigslist-style platforms.

Keep your phone safe from job scam texts

Job scam texts are just one role in today’s phishing playbook. If your phone’s getting bombarded with sketchy offers, it might be time to upgrade your defenses.

 FAQs

Do real recruiters send job offers by text?

Sometimes, but it’s rare. It usually happens only after you’ve interacted with them elsewhere, like LinkedIn or email. Be wary of cold job offer texts from unknown numbers.

 Is it safe to reply “STOP” to a job scam text?

No, even if you don’t reveal any personal information, it’s still not safe. That just confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.

How can I stop getting job scam texts?

Block unknown senders, filter spam messages in your phone settings, and report shady messages to your carrier or the FTC. You can also register with the Do Not Call Registry — it won’t catch everything, but it helps.