Posted
on Thursday, December 26, 2024
in
Privacy & Security
Scam of the Week: From Jackpot to Jeopardy
If something seems too good to be true, it usually is, and this week's scam is no exception. Cybercriminals send you a message on a platform such as WhatsApp, offering you what sounds like an easy job. Supposedly, you will get paid to perform sets of easy tasks, such as liking videos or rating products online. This type of scam is known as a “task scam.”
The cybercriminals will actually pay you in cryptocurrency for completing your tasks during the early part of this scam to try to make this “job” even more convincing. However, you will eventually be asked to send them a large deposit of cryptocurrency so that you can “unlock” your next set of tasks. The cybercriminals claim you will get your money back and that they will pay you an even larger commission. If you send any money, you won’t receive anything in return. Your money will go straight into the cybercriminals’ bank accounts!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a task scam:
- Never respond to unsolicited texts or direct messages about job opportunities. Real employers will not attempt to contact you this way.
- A real job opportunity won't ask you for money to get paid. You should always be suspicious if you are asked to deposit money before you can receive your paycheck.
- Trust your instincts. You should always be skeptical of unsolicited job offers, especially if they seem too good to be true!
Article provided by:
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