Over the last three years, nearly 50,000 people reported to BBB Scam Tracker after falling victim to an employment scam. Reports exploded in 2025, doubling over the previous year. The Better Business Bureau received hundreds of reports involving task-based scams where fraudsters impersonated popular companies.
In the new study “Employment scams soar, ‘video boosters’ left unpaid, and education needs are paramount,” the BBB’s International Investigations Initiative examines patterns of reports, reviews the amount of money lost, and shares stories from those caught up in the scams so consumers can avoid them.
Since 2021, the initiative has laid out ways consumers and businesses can avoid scams and significant monetary loss. Previous studies examined business scams, online gambling, vehicle purchases, identity theft and much more.
Key findings
- More than 600 reports to BBB about employment scams were task-based
- Job scams conducted over text message exploded in 2025, making up half of all reports
- Employment scams are rising, despite extensive public information about this type of fraud
- Median losses shrunk since 2023 but remain high at $1,000
Employment scam reports to BBB Scam Tracker across North America
2023
- Reports: 10,348
- Median loss: $2,000
2024
- Reports: 11,748
- Median loss: $1,500
2025…