Employment scams are becoming more convincing with AI, Better Business Bureau says

If you’re looking for a job — or have landed one recently — you're a popular target for scammers, according to the Better Business Bureau. "People are looking for work, and scammers are out there trying to take their money," Bryan Oglesby of the BBB told Gulf Coast News. The organization saw a surge in job scams in 2025, with reports doubling from the year before. Oglesby is specifically warning of "task scams" — when people are offered jobs to like, follow or subscribe on various websites. They may also be asked to leave ratings or reviews. "(Scammers) are really trying to entice off people being used to clicking and liking things," Oglesby said. "Boosting social media impressions. Reviewing products." Artificial intelligence helps scammers make the con as convincing as ever. But once victims go to collect their money, they’re asked to send some first — and the payout never happens. "We have victims losing up to $100,000 in extreme cases," Oglesby explained. Even if you have a legitimate job, the attacks don’t end. The "boss scam" is another the BBB is warning about: when the bad guys scour sites like LinkedIn to find employees, find their information and then message them. "They're going to pretend to be your boss and send you a text, saying, 'I need you to go to the store. I'm in a meeting. I need you to buy some gift cards for a gift I'm giving away,'" Oglesby explained. "Playing on that vulnerability that you're a new employee, you want to impress your boss, and you're going to do what you're asked."There are a lot of red flags to watch for, but two stand out at the top. If you’re ever asked to send money in order to get it, that’s a problem. And beware if you’re asked to buy gift cards to send along. Oglesby urges people to do their homework and research something before jumping into something. Verify who you’re talking to is who they claim to be, and don’t rush into a decision. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.