Scammers are constantly adapting their techniques. After E-Z Pass toll fraud became known, they transitioned to sending texts regarding DMV and speeding ticket collections. The latest strategy involves dispatching scam texts from employment services like Indeed, claiming to offer jobs and fast cash.

In June, it was noted that inquiries for “indeed scam texts” surged by 550 percent over the past year, with a significant spike starting around May 11, according to Google Trends data. Recently, these inquiries have escalated again, commencing around August 24. Scammers are taking advantage of the frail job market in the U.S. to send messages that promise jobs and quick cash.

For job hunters, the situation appears bleak. A Reuters Ipsos survey reveals that 71 percent of participants are concerned that AI will lead to job reductions. Yahoo Finance reported that unemployment rates have reached their highest since October 2021, with the U.S. experiencing its first monthly net job loss since December 2020 in June. In this landscape, scammers are sending messages proposing jobs and quick cash.

To clarify: These Indeed texts are fraudulent. Do not respond, follow links, or reach out to any numbers mentioned in the text. The scammers have no connection to Indeed, a well-known job search platform that provides an FAQ for inquiries concerning Indeed text scams.

What is the fraud and how to recognize it?

These frauds usually manifest as texts. The sender claims to be from Indeed, presenting a job offer or asking for personal details. An example text received by a Mashable editor originated from a dubious email address with a generic name.

Keep in mind: Indeed will not randomly send you a job offer via text, even if you have submitted an application there. These scams are widespread enough that Indeed has created a specific page addressing them. Scammers might impersonate an Indeed employee or a prospective employer, generate a false sense of urgency, request personal information, or encourage you to click a link or communicate outside of Indeed. Some scams solicit contact via WhatsApp or Telegram, which is a red flag as these platforms are less traceable.

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

These job offer scams are particularly detrimental as they target individuals with financial difficulties. A job offer that claims to provide quick cash for product testing or data entry may seem attractive but can leave victims in a worse situation.

To identify these scams, scrutinize the message. They often originate from dubious sources, such as random phone numbers or email addresses, akin to other SMS scams like phony E-ZPass texts. The messages promise jobs without justification, which is too good to be true—a signature of scams.

What to do if you receive the scam Indeed text:

Avoid clicking any links or engaging with the scammers. Their goal is to obtain your information or deceive you into sending money, and clicking links aids this goal. Delete the message and report it as junk. Indeed also recommends blocking the number and notifying the Federal Trade Commission about the incident.

In summary, these scams capitalize on people’s desperation for employment. It’s natural to share personal information with a potential employer, but be cautious: the Indeed job offer texts, and similar ones, are scams.