In this guide
Checking employers and job offers
Job scams on WhatsApp, Telegram and text messages
Why unexpected job messages on WhatsApp, Telegram or text are a common scam route, what regulators advise and how to report or check them safely.
Why messaging apps are used for scams
A message to your phone feels personal, arrives without the protections of a job site and can be sent to thousands of numbers at once. Moving a conversation to an encrypted app also makes it harder for platforms to spot and remove the scam.
The FTC has described scam texts that claim to come from recruiters at well-known companies, mention pay without real job details and ask you to reply 'YES' or 'INTERESTED' so they can continue the scam, often leading to fake cheque or task scams.
Spotting the pattern
| Feature | Example |
|---|---|
| Unsolicited | You never applied or gave this number to the company |
| Vague role, specific pay | Remote assistant, online assessor, daily rate stated |
| Engagement bait | Reply YES to receive details |
| Platform hop | Please add me on Telegram to continue |
| Fast offer | You have been selected; start today |
| Money appears | A cheque, a deposit request or a task app |
Illustrative example
A message to ignore
- 'Hello! I am a recruiter for a top online brand. We offer part-time remote work, 60 to 90 minutes a day, paid daily. Reply INTERESTED to learn more.'
Unsolicited, no named company you can verify, no job description and a request to reply. Delete it and, in the UK, forward it to 7726.
What to do with the message
- Do not reply, even to say no; a reply confirms your number is active.
- Do not click links or download apps the message mentions.
- In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726, which GOV.UK says reports them to your mobile provider for free.
- Report and block the sender in the messaging app.
- If the message names a real company and you are interested, find the company's careers page yourself and apply there.
If you have already engaged
Steps to take
- Stop the conversation and do not send money, codes or documents.
- Keep screenshots of the messages and the sender's number or username.
- If you paid or shared bank details, contact your bank immediately.
- Report the scam: in the UK to Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland, as GOV.UK explains; in the US at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
How did they get my number?
Numbers are often generated at random or taken from leaked lists. Receiving a message does not mean you shared your details with a scammer.
Is a recruiter messaging me on a professional networking site the same?
Not necessarily, but apply the same checks: verify the person and the role through the company's official channels before sharing anything.
Sources
- FTC consumer alert: that job offer text is probably a scamUS Federal Trade Commission · US · checked 3 October 2026
- FTC consumer alert: how to spot and avoid task scamsUS Federal Trade Commission · US · checked 3 October 2026
- GOV.UK: avoid and report internet scams and phishingGOV.UK · UK · checked 3 October 2026
Put it into practice
See how Luceria helps with thisDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.