(GettyImages-874811562)
A growing form of employment scam is reportedly causing consumers to lose thousands of dollars. Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about the new task optimization scam, which comes in various forms, as reported in the online tool, BBB Scam Tracker SM.
Survivors of this scam explain that the “tasks” are described as fully remote with high pay for minimal work, which is always a major flag. The scammers often impersonate recognizable trusted brands, like social media firms, notable retailers, and well-known hotel and travel companies.
Individuals reporting this type of scam say they find themselves “working” for these companies for long stretches without being paid. Reports from consumers vary based upon when they become aware that their “earnings” from their supposed commissions would be paid in cryptocurrency. Many consumers who report these scams to BBB frequently claim that they are compelled to add their own money to their earnings account before they can unlock their funds. Other times, consumers are allegedly told they would not be allowed access to their promised earnings until they complete more tasks.
A few scammers reportedly fool their targets through elaborate websites that can believably spoof cryptocurrency exchanges, where the consumers can log in to “their accounts” and see their (fictitious) job “earnings” increasing. Unfortunately, with such scams, these websites and accounts are completely phony, and there are no legitimate earnings.
In several cases, targets are repeatedly asked to put more money into the scheme, and before they know it, they have lost a significant amount, with a handful of consumers claiming $10,000 or more in losses. In a few cases, when consumers try to get back the money they have put into the scheme, the “company” reportedly threatens to sue the person requesting the return of their funds, a common scare tactic.
This appears to be an emerging trend that adds a new and highly costly twist to employment scams. To date, 31 reports about this type of fraud have been made in BBB Scam Tracker SM, and BBB Metro New York will continue to monitor such scams, with particular concern for the large monetary losses consumers are reporting.
For more information
For more BBB tips about employment scams, visit BBB.org/jobscams. Consumers can view scam reports or post information about scams they believe they have encountered through BBB Scam Tracker SM tool at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
BBB Metro NY contributed this article.
