Reports of job scams have doubled over the last year, according to a new Better Business Bureau study that details a sharp rise in task-based schemes targeting job seekers across North America.

In Alabama and beyond, fraudsters are increasingly posing as recruiters and offering high-paying “work” tied to simple online actions such as liking and subscribing to videos. Per a news release, the scams often begin with unsolicited text messages and escalate into victims paying money under the promise of unlocking earnings.

Over the last three years, nearly 50,000 people reported employment scams to BBB Scam Tracker after being victimized. Reports surged in 2025, doubling from the previous year. The bureau received hundreds of reports involving task-based scams in which fraudsters impersonated well-known companies and platforms.

"We're seeing employment scams hit Alabamians more often than ever, and task-based scams are driving a lot of that," said Vice President at the BBB of Central and South Alabama Evey Owen in the release. "Victims think they're earning money, when really they're being set up to pay into a scam. If a job offers to hire you with no interview and requires you to pay in order to get paid, that's your sign to walk away."

A victim in Anniston provided an initial message to BBB Scam Tracker that read: “Hi I'm Nora. Thank you for your interest in our position at [company]! We help content creators on YouTube increase video exposure and visibility by liking their videos. No experience is required, just a smartphone and a YouTube account.”

After answering a few questions, the victim was offered a paid trial period with a promised bonus. Early tasks involved watching and liking specific links, but within a day the assignments escalated to so-called “lucky mall missions,” which instructed the victim to pay a merchant to complete daily tasks. The victim was told they could not withdraw earnings until all tasks were completed, with requirements growing more expensive over time.

The findings come from a new study titled “Employment scams soar, ‘video boosters’ left unpaid, and education needs are paramount,” produced by BBB’s International Investigations Initiative. The report analyzes scam patterns, financial losses and victim accounts to help consumers recognize and avoid fraud.

Among the key findings, more than 600 employment scam reports to BBB were task-based. Job scams conducted through text messages surged in 2025, accounting for half of all reports. The study also found employment scams continue to rise despite widespread public awareness efforts. Median losses have decreased since 2023 but remain significant at $1,000.

BBB Scam TrackerSM employment scams by year across North America showed the following trend:

In 2023, there were 10,348 reports with a median loss of $2,000.

The BBB outlined several red flags for employment scams, including unprompted job offers, jobs offered without an interview, too-good-to-be-true salaries, high-pressure demands to accept work immediately, interviewers refusing to turn on a camera, payment requests to like or subscribe to videos online, charges or taxes required to withdraw already earned money and upfront costs to begin work.

Officials also urged job seekers to take precautions, including researching companies and job listings, verifying postings on official company websites, refusing any request to pay money to receive a paycheck, avoiding jobs that pay for engagement such as watching or liking videos and insisting on video or in-person interviews when possible.

Since 2021, the BBB International Investigations Initiative has issued multiple studies examining scams affecting consumers and businesses, including business fraud, online gambling, vehicle purchases and identity theft.

Consumers can find more information at www.BBB.org, report scams at www.BBB.org/ScamTracker and view additional studies at www.BBB.org/ScamStudies.