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Scamwise › Top 10 scams › Job and task scams
Scam #8 of 10 · Rising fast

Job and task scams: how they work and how to spot them

Updated October 2026 · 4 minute read

An easy remote job: rating products, liking videos or 'optimizing' apps. You earn small payouts at first, then must deposit your own money to unlock bigger tasks.

How the scam works

Like almost every scam, this one follows a three step script:

  1. The hook. Something believable lands in front of you: a message, a call, an ad or a new "friend".
  2. The pressure. Urgency, fear, excitement or secrecy, so you act before you think or talk to anyone.
  3. The payment. A method that can't be reversed: gift cards, crypto, a Bitcoin ATM, or an e-Transfer to a stranger.

Spot any one of those three steps and you can stop the whole thing.

Red flags to watch for

  • Recruited by text or WhatsApp out of nowhere
  • Pay for simple clicking tasks
  • You have to deposit money to keep earning
  • Pressure to keep it secret or to act right now.
  • Any request for gift cards, crypto, a Bitcoin ATM or an e-Transfer to a person's name.

What to do if it happens to you

Real jobs never ask you to pay to work. Stop immediately and don't send more to 'recover' your balance.

If you already paid or shared details

  1. Call your bank or card issuer right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
  2. Change any password you entered, and turn on two step verification.
  3. Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) in Canada, or reportfraud.ftc.gov in the US.
  4. File a police report and keep every message, receipt and screenshot.
  5. Watch out for "recovery" offers. Anyone promising to get your money back for a fee is running a second scam.

Related scams

  • Fake cheque job: You're sent a cheque, told to deposit it and send part back. The cheque bounces later.
  • Reshipping job: You receive and reship packages, which were bought with stolen cards.
  • Money mule job: A 'payment processor' role moving money through your bank account. It's laundering.
  • Mystery shopper: You're paid to 'test' a money transfer service with your own money.
  • Work from home starter kit: Pay for training or equipment to start a job that doesn't exist.
  • Fake recruiter: Asks for your SIN, bank details or ID before any real interview.

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