Hey there, internet explorer! 🕵️‍♂️ Ever dreamt of making money online while you’re comfortably parked on your couch with a Netflix series running in the background? Well, hold onto your remote, because not everything that glitters on the web is gold. Today, we’re diving into the quirky world of task scams, where fraudsters promise easy cash but deliver only disappointment.

Game On… or Game Over?

Imagine this: you get a surprise message on WhatsApp, Telegram, or any of your favorite social media platforms. It’s from someone who promises you can make money online by doing simple tasks like “optimization” or “product boosting.” The concept sounds as easy as pie, and the message assures you of instant payment. But here’s the catch—it’s a scam! 🎣

These are called task scams or gamified job scams. You “work” through an app or platform, supposedly earning commissions with each click. But spoiler alert: the only ones getting rich are the scammers. As you complete tasks, you see your fake earnings grow in the app. They might even send you a few dollars ($5 to $20) to gain your trust. At this point, you’re thinking of quitting your day job. But don’t order that yacht just yet.

The Big Switcheroo

Just when you think you’re the next internet millionaire, they flip the script. To unlock more tasks and cash out your “earnings,” they ask you to deposit your own money—usually in cryptocurrency. You might as well be throwing your cash into a black hole because, news flash, those earnings are as real as unicorns. You’ll never see your money again, and your dreams of retiring on a private island? Poof! Gone. 🌴💸

Protect Your Wallet (and Your Sanity)

Here’s how you can keep your cash safe and avoid these tricky traps:

  1. Ignore Random Job Offers: Real employers don’t slide into your DMs with job offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

  2. Don’t Pay to Get Paid: Never, ever pay money to receive money or a job. Legit employers pay you, not the other way around.

  3. Beware of Fake Ratings: If someone offers to pay you for positive ratings or likes, run the other way. Honest companies don’t need to buy love.

Stay informed and keep your cash safe by visiting ftc.gov/scams. If you sniff out a scam, do your civic duty and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Stay safe out there, digital warriors!

For more details, visit the original article at FTC.

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/how-spot-avoid-task-scams