SHREVEPORT, La. — Reports of employment scams doubled in 2025 compared with the previous year, fueled in part by a growing number of task-based schemes that promise pay for simple online activities such as liking and subscribing to videos, according to a new study released by the Better Business Bureau.
The report, titled “Employment scams soar, ‘video boosters’ left unpaid, and education needs are paramount,” was conducted by the BBB’s International Investigations Initiative and examines trends in employment-related fraud across North America.
According to the study, nearly 50,000 people reported employment scams to BBB Scam Tracker over the past three years. The organization said reports surged in 2025, with hundreds involving task-based scams in which fraudsters impersonated well-known companies and offer high-paying remote work opportunities.
The study found more than 600 reports of task-based employment scams, while job scams conducted through text messages accounted for about half of all employment scam reports in 2025. Although median financial losses have declined since 2023, victims still reported a median loss of approximately $1,000.
BBB said the scams often begin with unsolicited job offers and may involve promises of unusually high pay for simple tasks. Victims are frequently asked to pay fees, taxes or other charges to access earnings that fraudsters claim have already been accumulated.
The organization identified several warning signs, including job offers made without interviews, pressure to accept positions immediately, interviewers who refuse to appear on video calls, requests for upfront payments and offers to earn money by liking, subscribing to or watching online content.
BBB advised job seekers to verify employment opportunities through a company’s official website, avoid positions requiring payment to access wages and be cautious of employers who extend offers without conducting interviews.
The organization said increased consumer awareness remains critical as employment scams continue to evolve despite widespread public education efforts about job-related fraud.