Task Scams in the United States
How online task fraud targets US workers through fake part-time job offers on social media and messaging apps — with reporting routes through the FTC, FBI IC3, and state attorneys general.
Part of: Task Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Task scams — fraudulent online job offers that pay small amounts for initial work before collecting 'upgrade deposits' — are reported to the FTC and FBI IC3 by US victims at an increasing rate. The scams are well-adapted to the US gig economy context: they use language and structures that echo legitimate platforms like TaskRabbit, Amazon Mechanical Turk, or app-based delivery services, making them plausible to people seeking flexible supplemental income.
This guide covers how task scams are presented in the US context, the payment methods most commonly used to collect deposits from American workers, and the correct federal and state reporting routes.
How this scam works on the United States
In the United States, task scam recruitment arrives through text messages, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn, often using the name of a real US brand — Amazon, Walmart, Google — to establish initial credibility. The recruiter's message is professional and references a familiar type of flexible work.
After an initial conversation, the victim is added to a WhatsApp or Telegram group styled as a professional onboarding environment. Early tasks — rating app store listings, liking YouTube videos — pay small amounts, typically via Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal Friends and Family. These initial payments are the trust-building mechanism.
A 'special mission' or 'level upgrade' then requires the victim to send their own money to unlock higher-value tasks. Payment methods used to collect US deposits include Cash App, Zelle, Venmo Friends and Family, cryptocurrency, and in some cases bank wire. The FTC specifically notes that requests to pay before you can earn are among the clearest scam signals, regardless of how the job was described.
US task scam operators often use VoIP numbers that appear to have US area codes, and may reference real US employers by name. Neither the apparent US phone number nor the brand reference verifies the offer.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited text or DM offering part-time online work with a daily income claim from a US brand you did not apply to
- Job that requires a deposit via Cash App, Zelle, or crypto before you can earn
- Initial small payments that stop when an 'upgrade' deposit is requested
- Group of apparent co-workers who all post very similar earnings screenshots
- Employer who communicates only through WhatsApp or Telegram and cannot be verified outside those apps
- No W-9 form, employment contract, or payroll process consistent with legitimate US employment
How to protect yourself
- Verify any company offering online work against their official website and Better Business Bureau listing at bbb.org
- Legitimate US employers — including gig platforms — do not require workers to pay deposits before earning
- Check whether the job is listed on the company's actual careers page through their official website
- Report the offer to your state attorney general's consumer protection office before engaging further
- If you receive payment before a deposit is requested, this is a trust-building tactic — not proof of legitimacy
How to report it
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — the FTC actively tracks task and gig work scam patterns
- File a complaint with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov if cryptocurrency or significant financial loss was involved
- Report to your state attorney general's consumer protection division — most states have online complaint portals
- Report the account on the social media or messaging platform where you were recruited
Frequently asked questions
Can a task scam look exactly like a legitimate gig economy offer?
Yes — they are designed to. Scammers copy the terminology, branding, and task structures of real platforms. The distinguishing feature is always the deposit: every legitimate gig platform pays you, never asks you to pay before you can earn. The presence of a payment request, however small and however well-explained, is the definitive fraud indicator.
Should I report to the FTC or the FBI for a task scam?
Both, where applicable. The FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov handles consumer fraud and shares data with law enforcement. The FBI IC3 at ic3.gov specifically handles internet-based crime and is the correct route if crypto was involved or if the total loss was significant. State attorneys general are also valuable — they can act on patterns affecting their state's residents.