Job offer scam texts and WhatsApp task scams

What the texts look like

Which? has seen texts from fake "recruiters", sometimes using the name of a real recruitment agency and of a real person who works there, and messages from an "HR department" saying they like your CV. One offered a salary of £200-500 a day and a WhatsApp link to carry on the conversation. In one surge, an agency told Which? the scammers spoofed random UK mobile numbers, and that it does not approach people by text.

On 19 August 2026 Which? also reported scam texts promoting job offers, airline discounts or document renewals that lead to copycat websites of over 65 well-known brands. There you are pushed to download a fake app carrying malware that can watch your screen in real time and switch on the microphone and camera. The sites were uncovered by the VPN company NordVPN.

How the task scam works

North Wales Police describe the pattern from reports they have received. Victims are offered paid work for mundane online tasks, such as liking content or writing fake product reviews. They are contacted on social media, WhatsApp or by text, and persuaded to pay money upfront to unlock tasks or upgrade their account for better pay. Even when the tasks are done, they are not paid, and are asked for more money to earn or to reach the money they are owed.

Which? describes the same trap: after a few tasks you are asked to pay a fee to upgrade your account, and you never see your "earnings".

The other job scam: your details and your bank account

In March 2026 the Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned of fake job adverts on social media and WhatsApp aimed at young people. Victims are asked early on for identity documents and bank details, and sometimes for an upfront fee for "office" or "IT equipment". Their details may then be used to recruit them as money mules: people who move money through their own bank account for a small cut. CTSI warns this can get your account frozen or closed and lead to a criminal investigation, even if you believed the work was real.

Red flags

• The offer arrives out of the blue, from a number you do not know.
• The offer seems too good to be true: high pay for little work.
• You are moved to WhatsApp or another app straight away.
• You are asked to pay anything upfront: a fee, a deposit, equipment, an "account upgrade".
• You are asked for ID documents or bank details before you have met the employer.
• You are asked to receive money into your account and send it on.

What to do

1. Do not reply and do not follow the link. The police advice is to ignore unsolicited messages, never pay upfront for work, and verify the company before you share personal information.
2. Check the firm yourself. CTSI suggests checking that it has a genuine UK presence. If the text names a real agency, contact the agency through the details on its own website.
3. Forward the text to 7726. On WhatsApp, open the chat, tap the sender's details and choose block and report.
4. You can report a doubtful job advert or offer to JobsAware, as the North Wales campaign suggests.

If you paid or shared your details

CTSI's advice: stop contact immediately, tell your bank without delay, and report it to the police or Report Fraud (0300 123 2040; in Scotland, Police Scotland on 101). Keep screenshots of the adverts and messages. If you have been asked to move money through your account, stop and tell your bank.

The "pay a fee first" trick also runs through fake loan offers (see loan fee fraud), and a stranger moving you to WhatsApp is how the "Hi Mum" scam works too. Paste any job text into the scam text checker: it flags unasked-for job offers, day-rate promises and moves to WhatsApp.

Sources

• North Wales Police, employment scams (2026): North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, 'New year, new job - campaign launches on employment scams' (2026), DC Rachel Roberts, North Wales Police: "North Wales Police have received a number of reports from victims who have been offered paid employment opportunities for completing mundane online tasks, such as 'liking' online content or writing fake product reviews. Victims are typically contacted on social media, WhatsApp or by text message and are persuaded to pay money upfront to allow access to the tasks or upgrade their account, which will provide better pay. Even when tasks are completed, the victim will not receive payment but will be asked to pay additional funds to earn money or access the money owed. If you are contacted offering similar work ignore the unsolicited messages, never pay upfront for work and verify the company before you pass any of your personal information over." Get Safe Online tips on the same page: "never divulge information such as NI, passport or driving licence numbers, bank account/payment card information or date of birth ... Supply these only when you've met the employer, landed the job and are satisfied that everything is legitimate. ... If you are uncertain about a job advert or offer ... you can report it to JobsAware" — https://www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/new-year-new-job-campaign-launches-employment-scams, read on 2026-09-30
• Chartered Trading Standards Institute (Mar 2026): Chartered Trading Standards Institute, 'Warning as Easter Recruitment Scams Target Young Jobseekers' (5 March 2026): "fraudsters are advertising fake job opportunities on social media platforms and messaging services such as WhatsApp ... Victims are often asked early on to provide identity documents and bank details. In some cases, they are also told they must pay an upfront fee for 'office' or 'IT equipment' ... Their information may then be used to recruit them as 'money mules', individuals who unknowingly help launder money by having funds paid into their bank accounts and transferring it on for a small commission ... Young people may find their bank accounts frozen or closed and could face criminal investigation ... Research any company offering work and check that it has a genuine UK presence ... Never accept money into your bank account to pass on to someone else ... stop contact immediately, inform their bank without delay and report the matter to the police or Report Fraud ... take screenshots of adverts and messages" — https://www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy-campaigns/news-room/2026/warning-as-easter-recruitment-scams-target-young-jobseekers/, read on 2026-09-30
• Which?, job scam texts (2025): Which?, 'Scam alert: job scams to watch out for' (January 2025, updated 25 March 2025): "recruitment companies ... have been impersonated in scam texts ... In some cases, the scammer behind the message is impersonating a real person at a real recruitment agency ... This time the scammers disguised their original number by spoofing random UK mobile numbers. It confirmed that it doesn't approach people via text ... fraudsters claim to be from a 'HR department' and tell you that they like your CV. ... The message goes on to offer a salary of '£200-500' a day as well as a WhatsApp link ... Act with extra caution if: There are requests for payment or personal information. It includes links to websites. ... It offers something that seems too good to be true. ... You'll then be asked to pay a fee to upgrade your account after completing a few tasks and you'll never see your 'earnings' ... open up the chat, tap on the sender's contact details and select 'block and report'." — https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/scam-alert-job-scam-texts-to-watch-out-for-aGT6A6D3uzZI, read on 2026-09-30
• Which? scam alerts, fake apps via texts (19 Aug 2026): Which? scam alerts, 19 August 2026: "VPN company NordVPN has uncovered fraudulent websites impersonating over 65 well-known brands including airlines, government services and retail chains. You're led to dodgy sites through scam text messages that promote airline discounts, job offers, or document renewals. Once on the website, you're encouraged to download a fake app which will download malware to your device that can watch your screen in real time and remotely activate the microphone and camera." — https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/the-latest-scam-alerts-from-which-aBRLy2b02WkC, read on 2026-09-30
• NCSC, forwarding to 7726: NCSC, Report a scam text: "Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it's found to be malicious." — https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message, read on 2026-09-29
• Report Fraud: Action Fraud / City of London Police press release, 4 Dec 2025: "From Thursday 4 December 2025, anyone needing to report cyber crime or fraud will be directed to our new Report Fraud service. Report Fraud has replaced Action Fraud, for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People affected by cyber crime or fraud in Scotland should continue to call Police Scotland using the 101 telephone number. ... reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040." — https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Report+Fraud+service+goes+live+04122025143000; https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/, read on 2026-09-29