How to avoid a side hustle scam

As the holiday season becomes an ever more distant memory, the holiday bills might not be. If you’re looking to pick up a side gig to make extra cash, pay down debt, or catch up on some bills, know that scammers are looking to make money, too. One of their hustles is advertising fake jobs. So how do you tell a legit gig from a scam? Scammers might text, message you on social media, or email you out of the blue offering a gig — reshipping packages, doing data entry, or some other task you can do from home. They often try to lure you in by promising a flexible schedule or a high salary. But there’s no actual gig — what they really want is your bank account number to steal your money, or your Social Security number to steal your identity. To spot side hustle scams, look for these signs: Scammers promise big money for little effort. Be wary of ads promising "fast cash" for "minimal work." Scammers pressure you. If someone insists a gig will disappear if you don’t accept it immediately, walk away. Legit employers give people time to consider an offer. Scammers demand payment up front. No legitimate gig will make you pay for expenses, training, or anything else to get the job. Anyone who does is a scammer. And anytime you’re considering an offer for a side hustle that comes unexpectedly: Research the company. Search for the company name with words like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam” to see issues others might have had. Talk with current and past workers about their time at the company. Learn about their experiences, income, and any out-of-pocket expenses. Talk to someone you trust about the opportunity — before accepting a gig. What do they think? Learn more at ftc.gov/jobscams. Spot a job scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.