Scammers are constantly adapting their methods. When E-Z Pass toll frauds came into the spotlight, scammers transitioned to dispatching texts regarding DMV and speeding ticket collections. The latest ruse entails sending fraudulent texts from employment services like Indeed, promoting job opportunities and fast cash.

Google Trends reveals a staggering 550 percent surge in searches for “indeed scam texts” across the U.S. in the last year, with a significant increase noted starting around May 11.

These Indeed messages are most likely scams. Do not reply, click on any links, or reach out to any numbers mentioned in the text. The scammers have no affiliation with Indeed, a well-known job search platform. Indeed offers an FAQ for inquiries regarding these scams.

Typically, the fraudulent texts come from someone pretending to be associated with Indeed, presenting job offers or asking for personal details. An example message received by a Mashable editor originated from a dubious email address with a vague name.

Remember, Indeed will not randomly propose jobs via text, even if you have recently submitted an application there. These scams are prevalent enough that Indeed maintains a specific page addressing them. Scammers may impersonate Indeed staff or prospective employers, instill a false sense of urgency, request personal credentials, or urge you to click a link or engage outside of Indeed. Some scams request communication via WhatsApp or Telegram, platforms that are more challenging to trace.

Indeed will not reach out to you in this manner, and employers should only communicate through Indeed unless you have given your phone number. The Indeed scam is not the sole job offer fraud; similar cons are prevalent online.

These scams take advantage of individuals who may be financially distressed. A job offer that guarantees quick cash for tasks such as product testing or data entry is alluring but can exacerbate the victim’s predicament.

To identify these scams, scrutinize the message. They often originate from questionable sources, such as random phone numbers or email ids, akin to other SMS scams like bogus E-ZPass messages. The texts frequently guarantee jobs without justification, which seems too good to be true—a defining characteristic of scams.

If you receive a fraudulent Indeed text, refrain from clicking any links or engaging with the scammers. Their goal is to siphon off your information or deceive you into sending money. Erase the text and mark it as junk. Indeed also recommends blocking the number and reporting the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.

In summary, these scams prey on individuals’ desire for employment. While it might seem rational to divulge personal details to a possible employer, exercise caution: Indeed job offer texts and similar communications are scams.