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Got a job after a quick chat via Telegram Messenger? That's a scam. Report it: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

With more opportunities to work remotely, it’s common to find and interview for jobs from the comfort of your home. But scammers are finding ways to take advantage — including using instant messaging apps like Telegram Messenger for recruitment and interviews. Wondering how it plays out? Read on.

Let’s say someone saying they’re a recruiter for a well-known company reaches out about a customer service position. They say Telegram Messenger is the only way they communicate, so you jump on the app to chat. After you text and answer some personal questions, you get the job — and a check to set up your home office.

Time to celebrate and deposit the check? Not quite. It’s a scam. Not only is there no job, those questions you answered might put you at risk for identity theft. And the check was a fake, too. If you deposited it, the bank will take the money back as soon as they realize it was a fake check. Even if you followed the scammer’s instructions and sent money on to someone.

To stay clear of this and other job scams:

  • Verify job openings before you apply. Visit the official website for the organization or company you’re applying for. Don’t use the site the caller gives you. Find the real site yourself. Most have a “career opportunities” or “jobs” section.
  • See what others are saying. Look up the name of the company plus words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
  • Protect your personal information. Be skeptical of anyone who demands personal information right away. Legitimate employers won’t hire you before meeting you virtually or in-person.
  • Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know. An honest employer will never send you a check and then tell you to send them part of the money. That’s a scam. Every time.

If you spot a job scam, the FTC wants to know about it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. And find more advice at ftc.gov/jobscams.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

William Shannon
July 26, 2023

In Messenger and Face book. There are a lot of criminals taking money and peoples houses. Your good company should look and arrest these very bad people. Please find away to arrest those bad people. Facebook does not and messenger does not.

chem lip
July 29, 2023

In reply to by William Shannon

because something happened to the Oppo A31 phone that I used before and I didn't use it until now, I deleted the app and updated the phone, what I'm worried about now is the Facebook I don't go into the facebook because I'm not sure about the Facebook system

chem lip
July 29, 2023

In reply to by William Shannon

It's been five years since I've been able to claim something because of a system problem that seems like someone blocked it and now I have financial problems for....

Renees C Mendoza
July 29, 2023

Yes this happened to me twice and will never attempt this type of offer again

Jerome Rubin
July 29, 2023

Very good information. Act in haste, repent at leisure.

Eva Marcelli
July 29, 2023

Thank you. Very helpful. I had a person offering jobs to expat Americans on Facebook Marketplace and when I asked details on the company website I never got an answer. I see now that probably was a scam..

Jahira
August 10, 2023

I got scammed by the company MTcom. They make a prepaid task then the amount they are asking make higher and higher.

Jamila
September 05, 2023

In reply to by Jahira

I had same experience with two sites Jacada travel and utest. I was asked to complete pretask and give money for negativ num. I lost alot of money and i Dont know if i would be able to get A refund

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