Scammers Targeting People Seeking Side Hustles

FTC warns of fraudulent job offers promising high pay for little work

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Federal Trade Commission is warning Utah residents about a rise in scams targeting people looking to pick up side hustles. Scammers are offering fake jobs like reshipping packages or data entry, promising high salaries and flexible schedules, but are actually trying to steal personal and financial information.

Why it matters

As more people turn to side hustles to supplement their income, scammers are taking advantage by posting fraudulent job offers that can lead to identity theft and financial losses. The FTC is urging caution to protect consumers from these predatory schemes.

The details

According to the FTC, scammers often reach out through text, email or social media with promises of easy money for little effort. They typically offer jobs like reshipping packages or doing data entry that can be done from home. However, the FTC says there is no actual job available - the scammers are just trying to get people's bank account numbers and Social Security information to steal their identities and money.

  • The FTC issued this warning on February 24, 2026.

The players

Federal Trade Commission

The U.S. government agency responsible for protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive or fraudulent business practices.

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What’s next

The FTC is urging consumers to be cautious of any unsolicited job offers, research companies thoroughly, and report any suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The takeaway

As the gig economy continues to grow, it's important for people seeking side hustles to be vigilant about potential scams that can lead to identity theft and financial losses. Verifying the legitimacy of any job offer is crucial to avoid falling victim to these predatory schemes.