Berks County grandmother loses $220K in exploding "task job" scam

Bonnie Haring fell for a fast-growing online employment scam that promised easy money for simple "tasks".

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A Pennsylvania grandmother says she lost the money she expected to live on in retirement after falling for a fast-growing online employment scam that promises easy money for simple "tasks." Bonnie Haring of Reading, Berks County, told CBS News Philadelphia she thought she was signing up for a part-time, remote job approving pre-written positive hotel reviews, but the scam escalated quickly as she was told to make larger deposits to unlock higher-level "tasks" and bigger commissions. Haring eventually lost more than $220,000 over just a few days.

Why it matters

These "task scams" are now the biggest threat facing job seekers, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as they rely on confusion, complexity, and the need for money to lure victims with promises of rising earnings for each completed action - as long as they put in their own money. Victims of these scams rarely get their money back.

The details

Haring said the job appeared legitimate at first, as she was told she would earn commissions for each review she approved. But to participate, she had to deposit her own money into the platform - beginning with $100, which the scammers matched. For several days, Haring said she was able to make deposits and withdrawals as promised, but then the deposits increased. The scammers told her larger deposits would unlock higher-level "tasks" and bigger commissions. Haring said she began running into roadblocks whenever she tried to withdraw her money, with the scammers giving her different reasons each time to prevent her from doing so.

  • Over the course of just a few days, Haring lost more than $220,000.

The players

Bonnie Haring

A Pennsylvania grandmother who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars after falling for the online employment scam.

Kathy Stokes

The director of fraud prevention at AARP, who said these "task scams" are now the biggest threat facing job seekers.

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What they’re saying

“It escalates very fast. You can go to several thousands of dollars.”

— Bonnie Haring (CBS News Philadelphia)

“It relies on confusion and complexity and the need for money. Even if it doesn't seem to make sense, you're looking at the end game. It's the psychological game they're playing.”

— Kathy Stokes, Director of fraud prevention at AARP (CBS News Philadelphia)

What’s next

Haring reported the incident to police and the FBI, but investigators say victims of these scams rarely get their money back.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of "task scams" targeting job seekers, which rely on confusion, complexity, and the need for money to lure victims with promises of easy earnings, only to ultimately steal their savings. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thoroughly vetting any online job opportunities before investing any personal funds.