Scam library · Jobs · Texts
Recruiter text job offer scam
'Hi, this is Sarah from a staffing agency. We reviewed your resume and have a remote position: $300 to $800 a day, flexible hours. Can I tell you more?' You never applied.
The FTC says a random text offering a job is probably a scam. These messages lead to task scams, fake check scams, money mule jobs or identity theft.
What the message looks like
From: +1 (628) 555-0112
Hello! I'm Sarah, a recruiter with TalentBridge Staffing. Your profile matched a remote role: $350 to $800/day, 1 to 2 hrs. Training provided.
Please add our HR manager on WhatsApp to begin: +44 7700 900456
How this scam works
Scammers send these from random numbers and quickly move you to WhatsApp or Telegram. The 'interview' is a chat, with no video call. You're hired fast. Then comes the catch: you pay for training or equipment, deposit crypto to unlock tasks, or hand over your Social Security number and bank details 'for payroll'.
Job scams are expensive. The FTC reported $750.6 million in job and business opportunity losses in 2024. Some scammers use names of real staffing firms, so a recognizable name doesn't prove anything.
The goal isn't always money right away. Some fake recruiters collect a photo of your driver's license, your Social Security number and direct deposit details 'for onboarding', then use them to open accounts or file a fake tax return in your name.
Red flags
- A job offer you never applied for.
- High pay for little work and no experience.
- Moving the chat to WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal.
- No video or phone interview, and you're 'hired' within hours.
- Requests for money, crypto, or sensitive ID details early on.
How to tell it’s fake
- Look up the company yourself and contact it through its official website, not the number that texted you.
- Search the recruiter's name on LinkedIn and check that the job is posted on the company's careers page.
- Never pay to get a job, and don't share your Social Security number until you've verified a real offer.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Don't reply further. Block the number and forward the text to 7726.
If you paid
- If you paid, contact your bank or payment app now and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you sent ID or your Social Security number, place a credit freeze and visit IdentityTheft.gov.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
In Chrome or Edge on your computer, Scam Guard checks job messages you have open, in WhatsApp Web, LinkedIn or email, and recognizes fake recruiter patterns: the unsolicited offer, the move to WhatsApp, the too-good pay. It tells you why it's suspicious and how to check the company. Before you share your ID for a job that seems legit, get an expert second look.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Do real recruiters text people?
- Some do, but they reference a role you applied for or a real profile, and they'll interview you by video or phone. A random text with big pay is a red flag.
- What's the harm in replying?
- Replying confirms your number is active and leads to more scam texts. Don't reply; just block and report.
- They used a real company's name. Could it be real?
- Scammers often borrow real company names. Contact the company through its official site to check.