Scammers are once again targeting job seekers with fraudulent text messages impersonating popular employment platforms like Indeed. These messages promise quick cash or job offers, taking advantage of a fragile job market in the United States.

According to recent Google Trends data, searches for “Indeed scam texts” have surged, reflecting a renewed wave of these phishing attempts starting in late August 2025. Scammers often send texts that appear to come from Indeed, asking recipients to provide personal information or click on malicious links.

The current economic context has made these scams more appealing. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 71% of respondents fear AI-driven job losses, and unemployment recently reached its highest level since October 2021. Scammers are exploiting these fears by offering seemingly legitimate employment opportunities via text.

How the Scam Works

Typically, these scams arrive as text messages from suspicious phone numbers or email addresses. The sender pretends to be an Indeed employee or a potential employer, creating urgency by claiming accounts may be deleted or requiring immediate action. Some scammers also ask victims to communicate via platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, which are harder to trace.

Indeed has clarified that it does not contact job seekers via random text messages, and all legitimate communication should occur through their official platform unless the applicant provides their phone number directly. These scams often promise quick and easy money for simple tasks like data entry or product testing, preying on financially vulnerable individuals.

How to Protect Yourself

• Do not click on links or respond to suspicious texts.
• Delete the message immediately and mark it as spam.
• Block the sender and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• Be cautious of any offer that seems too good to be true or creates unnecessary urgency.

These fraudulent messages are part of a broader trend of job-related scams that exploit economic uncertainty. Awareness and vigilance are crucial for anyone seeking employment online to avoid falling victim to these schemes.

Source: https://mashable.com/article/cookie-consent-pop-ups-eu-looking-to-change-law