In today’s digital world, it is easier than ever to earn money online. People are constantly looking for ways to add some income, and scammers are taking full advantage. One rising threat is the Task Scam, also known as gamified job schemes. This type of fraud lures people in with small online tasks and the promise of fast money. These scams might pay out a little in the beginning for smaller tasks in order to build trust with victims. However, soon enough, the scammers begin demanding the victims deposit their own money to complete higher paying tasks or even to be able to withdraw their supposed earnings. Once the victim pays, those earnings disappear along with all the money the victim sent in good faith. Let’s learn more about this growing trend; how and why these scams work, signs to watch out for, and how to protect yourself.
Task Scams: What are they and why do they work?
Task scams involve fraudsters pretending to offer legitimate work or a “side gig” doing simple online activities. These activities could be anything from taking surveys, liking social media posts, reviewing products and books, or boosting app downloads. The victim completes some small tasks and receives just enough payment to build trust before the scammer drops the bomb. Suddenly, the victim is told they need to invest or prepay for tasks that earn higher commissions. The victims will see fake earnings in an app that create a false sense of progress. Once they go to withdraw their money, the scammer just gives excuses. They need to complete more tasks, pay additional fees, or wait longer for their payout. Sadly, that money never comes, and the victim is left with nothing. Task scams work because of all the psychological tricks, gamification, and social engineering that fraudsters use to give the illusion of legitimacy. These schemes have become widespread all throughout North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Victims lose hundreds sometimes even thousands of dollars to the promises of huge payouts and promised commissions.
How to protect yourself:
- Don’t respond to unsolicited text messages or job offers.
- Look out for too good to be true earnings and opportunities.
- Never pay to get a job! Don’t make upfront payments or deposits. Real employers pay you to work, not the other way around.
- Be skeptical of dashboards or unreal account balances designed to keep you engaged.
- Don’t allow yourself to be swayed by high pressure tactics or threats of “losing your spot”.
- Use secure platforms, trusted freelancing sites with protections in place.
Task scams prey on hope, ambition, and financial need. If you come across an offer that seems super easy with a high profit, ask yourself is this too good to be true? Be careful when dealing with those money making apps, and watch for red flags of fraud. Staying informed and cautious will help protect you from becoming a victim of this or any scam.
