Survey Reveals Alarming Rise in Job Scams Targeting American Workers in 2025

Alarming Rise in Job Scams Targeting American Workers

A recent survey conducted by Resume.org, an organization renowned for its resume-building platform, exposed significant findings regarding the prevalence of job scams among American adults. The survey, which engaged 2,034 U.S. adults in July 2025, showed that an astonishing 39% have received fraudulent job offers via text message this year.

While many individuals opted to ignore or delete these suspicious messages, a concerning 14% engaged with the scams in various ways. The survey indicated a particularly high susceptibility among younger men. In fact, reports revealed that 24% of Gen Z men and 31% of millennial men reported interacting with these job scam texts.

Notably alarming is the impact of these scams on those who chose to respond. Among that group, 48% disclosed personal information, while 30% experienced financial theft from their bank accounts or credit cards. Additionally, 22% admitted to sending money directly to the scammers, often for fake equipment or training. Some individuals lost amounts as minimal as $100, yet 12% reported losing over $1,000. Identity theft also emerged as a significant issue, with 29% of respondents claiming to have fallen victim to it. Furthermore, 18% stated they had left a job or postponed legitimate job interviews, believing the scam offers to be genuine.

Kara Dennison, the head of career advising at Resume.org, shed light on why younger individuals, particularly men, are more vulnerable to these scams. She explained, "Many of these young individuals are in the early stages of their careers and may not have developed the necessary instincts to identify red flags. Furthermore, this age group is generally more comfortable with text and direct message communication, which makes them less suspicious of job offers delivered through these channels compared to their older counterparts."

Surprisingly, most scam texts remained unreported. While 80% of recipients indicated that these messages have increased their caution, over half confessed to never reporting the scams to any authority. The survey also highlighted a shift in behavior, with 45% of individuals becoming more skeptical of all recruiter communications, 44% putting in extra effort to verify job listings, and 31% expressing hesitation in applying for remote roles. Alarmingly, one in four individuals began to delay responding to legitimate job offers due to fear or distrust.

Dennison emphasized the dire situation, stating, "People are falling for job scams because the system is broken. These scams often present an alluring offer that the real job market struggles to provide—speedy interest, quick money, and a sense of validation. Many workers, facing unemployment or dissatisfaction in their current roles, are particularly vulnerable to such offers. The frustration from endless applications and interviews can push them towards seeking any semblance of assurance."

Conducted through Pollfish, the survey highlights the growing issue of job scams in the digital age. As people navigate an increasingly complex job market, the results serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and skepticism when encountering job offers, particularly those primarily delivered via text.

To view the full survey report, visit Resume.org.