As the work-from-home trend grows, scammers are taking advantage of it to trick unsuspecting people. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] has issued a warning about an increase in fraudulent work-from-home job ads, especially those asking for cryptocurrency payments from job seekers. In a statement on June 4, the FBI pointed out a rise in fake job offers promising simple tasks like rating restaurants or “optimizing” services by clicking buttons. These scams often start with unsolicited calls or messages. They further go on to offer attractive job opportunities that seem easy.
How the Scam Works
Victims are misled into believing they are earning money through a fake interface showing a growing balance. However, this money is never accessible. The scam escalates when the fake employer tells the victim to make cryptocurrency payments to “unlock” more work. However, these payments go directly to the scammers.
The FBI has identified several red flags to help potential victims spot these scams. Job descriptions that overuse the word “optimization” and lack reference checks during recruitment are particularly suspicious. If an employer asks for cryptocurrency payments as part of the job, it’s almost certainly a scam.
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Remote Work Popularity and Risks
The rise in remote work has made more people vulnerable to these scams. According to Statista, the global percentage of remote workers will increase to 28% by the end of 2023. While this trend offers flexibility, it also exposes individuals to new risks, including sophisticated online scams.
It is pertinent for one to verify the legitimacy of the firm offering a job. Checking for reviews or complaints online and never sending cryptocurrency payments to secure a job could help naive investors stay safe.
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