A text that claims to be from Indeed and offers you a job is a scam. Indeed may send job-match alerts, application reminders, saved-job reminders, and account-security codes, but it says it does not directly text job seekers unsolicited employment offers. A real employer may contact you by phone or text after you applied and supplied your number, but that is different from Indeed recruiting you by text.
This guide is written primarily for job seekers in the United States. It explains how to distinguish an Indeed alert from an impersonator, how the scam usually develops, how to verify a real opportunity without helping the scammer, and what to do if you already replied, clicked, shared information, deposited a check, sent money, or handled packages.
The fastest way to judge an Indeed job text
Do not reply, click, call the number in the message, download an app, send a verification code, pay money, or move the conversation to WhatsApp or Telegram. Instead, open the Indeed app or type Indeed.com into your browser yourself and verify the opportunity through Indeed or the employer’s official website.
Indeed’s current guidance says it may send texts about application or saved-job reminders, job matches and alerts, and login-security messages. It does not directly text job seekers with unsolicited job offers.
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| What the text says | How to treat it | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “Indeed HR has a job for you” or “You have been selected by Indeed” | Scam | Do not respond. Report, block, and delete after preserving evidence. |
| “You have a new job match on Indeed” | Could be legitimate | Open the Indeed app or type Indeed.com manually. Do not use the text’s link. |
| “Your Indeed login code is…” | Could be legitimate | Use it only if you initiated the login. Never share the code with anyone. |
| A recruiter from a named company texts after you applied and supplied your phone number | Could be legitimate | Verify the job and recruiter through the company’s independently found website. |
| The sender immediately demands WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or a private recruiting portal | High risk | Stop and verify independently before continuing. |
| The message threatens that your Indeed account will be closed unless you act | Scam indicator | Do not click or provide credentials. Sign in only through Indeed.com or the official app. |
Indeed also says that employers may message applicants through Indeed or call or text when the applicant provided a phone number in an application. Do not assume that a particular employer obtained your number from Indeed; the important distinction is whether the contact is from a verifiable employer rather than from someone pretending to be Indeed.
Why these scams are a serious financial threat
Job scams are not limited to stolen resumes or annoying spam. They can become identity theft, fake-check fraud, cryptocurrency theft, payment laundering, or involvement in reshipping stolen goods.
FTC figures show the scale of the problem, although they are reports rather than a complete count of all scams. The FTC’s 2025 summary reported that job-scam losses rose from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million in 2024. A later FTC statement cited more than 105,000 job-scam reports and more than $513 million in reported losses for 2024. Those figures should not be treated as interchangeable: the later figure may reflect a data revision or a different classification. Separately, the FTC reported $470 million in losses from text scams in 2024 and identified fake job opportunities as one of the leading text-scam categories. See the FTC’s 2024 scam summary, later job-scam statement, and text-scam data.
What an Indeed job-offer scam text usually says
The wording changes, but the pitch often includes several of these claims:
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- “We found your resume on Indeed.”
- “You have been selected for a remote position.”
- You can earn $300 to $500 per day, often with little experience.
- No experience is required; you only need to be over 18, know how to type, or have a smartphone.
- Reply YES, NO, or INTERESTED to continue.
- Contact a recruitment assistant on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Complete simple app-optimization, product-boosting, rating, liking, reviewing, or clicking tasks.
- Pay a refundable deposit, tax, recharge, or withdrawal fee to unlock earnings.
- Deposit a check and use the money to buy equipment or pay a designated vendor.
- Send a Social Security number, driver’s license, passport, bank account information, or direct-deposit details.
The FTC warned in an April 2026 alert about fake recruiters who first ask recipients to reply “YES” or “INTERESTED,” then introduce a fake-check or task scam. A message does not need to contain a link to be dangerous. Replying can confirm that your phone number is active and can start a longer social-engineering conversation.
The warning signs, grouped by what the scammer is trying to do
1. The contact is unexpected
You did not apply, interview, or initiate contact, yet the sender says you have already been selected. Unexpected contact becomes especially suspicious when it combines remote work, unusually high pay, vague duties, or immediate hiring. Applying for a job elsewhere does not authenticate a later text; scammers may scrape resumes, use public information, or rely on leaked data.
2. The sender claims to be Indeed
Indeed warns about messages impersonating an Indeed HR representative or recruiter. These messages may ask for payment, demand personal information, or threaten account closure or technical consequences. Indeed’s recruitment-fraud guidance explains that the company does not use those tactics to recruit job seekers.
3. The job description is vague
Be cautious when the message does not identify a specific employer, manager, job title, duties, qualifications, location, or job requisition. “Remote position” is not a job description. Compensation stated as daily or weekly earnings rather than an hourly wage or salary is another warning sign, particularly when the work consists of clicking, rating, liking, reviewing, or optimizing.
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4. The pay is implausibly high or hiring is instant
High pay is not conclusive proof of fraud. Some legitimate specialized jobs pay well. But hundreds of dollars a day for an hour of simple remote work, especially with no experience required, is a strong risk signal when paired with an unsolicited message, vague duties, or an immediate offer. Rapid hiring with no meaningful interview or skills assessment is similarly suspicious.
5. The sender creates urgency
- “Respond within 30 minutes.”
- “The position expires today.”
- “Your account will be closed unless you act.”
- “Pay before you can begin the next task.”
- “Do not tell anyone.”
- “You will lose your earnings if you stop.”
Urgency is designed to stop you from checking the company independently. The FTC recommends pausing and contacting the organization using information you find yourself, not details supplied in the suspicious message. See its guidance on recognizing scam pressure tactics.
6. The conversation moves off Indeed too quickly
WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Skype, Google Hangouts, and private recruiting portals are not automatically fraudulent. However, a demand to leave Indeed before you can verify the employer and the role is a serious warning sign. Indeed specifically lists WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and Google Hangouts among channels used in fraudulent recruiting approaches.
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Moving off-platform gives the scammer more control. The private account may use a fake name, a disposable phone number, a copied company logo, and a payment link that has nothing to do with the employer.
7. The opportunity requires any payment
A legitimate employer should not require you to pay to apply, interview, get hired, receive training, unlock tasks, or receive wages. Common labels include:
- Application or interview fee.
- Background-check or onboarding fee.
- Training fee or resume-help fee.
- Equipment deposit or software-license charge.
- Refundable security deposit.
- Account recharge.
- Tax or withdrawal fee.
- Cryptocurrency payment.
Indeed lists these and similar charges in its guide to common job scams. A request for money is a stop signal, even if the scammer promises reimbursement.
8. Sensitive information is requested too early
Be suspicious of requests for a Social Security number, driver’s license, passport, date of birth, bank account, debit-card number, direct-deposit details, ID.me credentials, or login codes before a real interview, offer, or hiring process.
Employers can legitimately collect tax and direct-deposit information during onboarding. The timing and channel matter. A request sent by an unknown person during an unsolicited text conversation is not the same as completing verified onboarding through a company’s official human-resources system.
The FTC warns that fake recruiters may ask for sensitive information before an interview or before hiring. Indeed also identifies early requests for identification, banking details, addresses, and sign-in information as fraud indicators.
9. A check is used to make the job look real
In a fake-check scam, the recruiter sends a paper or electronic check and tells you to deposit it, purchase equipment, pay a vendor, or return the excess. Your bank may make some or all of the funds appear available before it determines that the check is fraudulent. If you send real money, you can later be required to repay the bank.
Available funds do not prove that a check is genuine. Follow the FTC’s fake-check guidance and contact your bank immediately if you deposited one.
10. The task dashboard shows fake earnings
Task scams often begin with a text about app optimization, product boosting, ratings, or simple clicks. The scammer directs you to an app or website where a fake balance increases as you complete tasks. Then the platform says you must deposit cryptocurrency or other money to unlock the next task or withdraw the balance.
The displayed commissions are fictitious. The deposits are real, and cryptocurrency payments are generally difficult or impossible to reverse. A small initial payment, perhaps $5 to $20, also does not prove the opportunity is real; scammers may use a small payment to build confidence before demanding a larger deposit.
11. You are asked to receive or reship packages
A job titled shipping coordinator, merchandising manager, package-processing assistant, or warehouse assistant may actually be a reshipping scheme. You may receive goods bought with stolen cards, counterfeit checks, or money orders and be instructed to forward them elsewhere.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns that reshipping participants can face financial and legal consequences. Do not treat this as merely a job that fails to pay; you may be helping move stolen property or fraudulent payment instruments. Read the Postal Inspection Service guidance on work-from-home reshipping schemes and money mules.
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12. The message looks polished or personalized
Spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and poor logos can be clues, but their absence is not proof of legitimacy. Scammers can copy branding, spoof phone numbers, use polished writing, create convincing websites, and include your name or details from your resume. AI-generated messages can make fake recruiting approaches more personalized and professional.
Treat logos, a LinkedIn profile, a local area code, a familiar company name, and personal details as supporting clues only. The decisive test is independent confirmation through a known-good channel.
How to verify the opportunity without helping the scammer
- Stop interacting with the message. Do not reply “YES,” “NO,” “INTERESTED,” or even “STOP” to a suspicious text. The FCC and FTC advise against replying to suspicious texts because a response can confirm that your number is active. Do not click, call, download, pay, or send a code.
- Open Indeed independently. Launch the official Indeed app or type Indeed.com into your browser. Check My Jobs, Messages, your applications, saved jobs, and job alerts. Do not use a link in the text. Indeed says account changes should be made through Indeed.com or its official mobile app.
- Find the employer independently. Search for the company yourself and open its official website. Check whether the exact job title, location or remote designation, duties, and requisition number appear on its careers page. Do not rely on the website or phone number provided by the sender.
- Confirm the recruiter through a known-good channel. Use the phone number, email address, or contact form published on the company’s official website. Ask whether the role and recruiter are genuine. Do not use a number, email address, QR code, or link supplied in the suspicious message.
- Walk away if verification fails. A legitimate employer should not object to reasonable independent verification. If the sender insists on urgency, refuses a normal interview, redirects you to a private payment or messaging process, or cannot match the role to the company’s official careers page, stop.
Indeed provides additional guidance on verifying suspicious employer communications and checking emails that claim to be from Indeed. Indeed says official recruiting emails come from an @indeed.com address, but a familiar-looking address alone is not enough; lookalike domains and compromised accounts can still mislead you.
What to do when you receive the scam text
- Preserve evidence. Take screenshots showing the message, phone number, links, names, payment instructions, cryptocurrency wallet address, and any related website or email. Do not click a link merely to document it.
- Report it from your phone. Use the phone’s Report Junk or Report Spam option if available.
- Forward it to 7726. In the United States, forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM) helps wireless carriers identify and block similar messages. The FTC explains the process in its spam-text reporting guide.
- Report it to the FTC. File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, especially if the sender asked for money, personal information, or access to an account.
- Report it to Indeed if it used Indeed’s platform or listed a job there. Use the steps below.
- Block the sender and delete the message. Do this after preserving any evidence you may need for a bank, employer, platform, law-enforcement agency, or identity-theft report.
How to report a suspicious Indeed message
- Open Indeed Messages.
- Open the suspicious conversation.
- Select the three-dot menu.
- Choose Report Spam.
- Select the reason and add details.
- Choose Report and move to spam.
Indeed says reported messages are reviewed and future messages from that sender will go to Spam, although it may not tell you what action it took. See its message and phishing-reporting instructions.
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How to report a fake Indeed job listing
- Open the job description.
- Scroll to the bottom.
- Select Report job.
- Choose Fake job or the most appropriate reason.
- Submit the confidential report.
Indeed says a report does not guarantee that it will take action, but reports help identify fraudulent and low-quality listings. Its instructions are available in the Report a job help article.
If the scammer used the name or branding of a real company, contact that company through its official website and report the impersonation. Preserve the original message and related evidence rather than sending only the scammer’s contact details.
If you already replied, clicked, or shared information
Do not let embarrassment delay you. The next step depends on what happened.
If you only replied
Stop the conversation. Do not answer follow-up questions or click anything they send. Screenshot the exchange, report the text to your carrier and the FTC, block the sender, and monitor for additional scam messages. A reply can confirm that your number is active, but it does not by itself mean your accounts are compromised.
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Close the page and do not download anything it offers. If you downloaded an app or file, remove it if appropriate, update your device and security software, and run a security scan. Review your accounts for unusual activity. If you entered a password, treat it as exposed and change it immediately through the service’s official website.
If you entered a password or sent a verification code
Change the exposed password immediately and change it anywhere else you reused it. Secure the email account first if it controls password resets. Review recent sign-ins and enable multifactor authentication where available. If the exposed credential was for Indeed, email, banking, Google, Microsoft, ID.me, or another identity service, start at that service’s official website rather than a link in the text.
Never share a login or one-time verification code with a recruiter. If you received a code without initiating a login, do not use it or disclose it; someone may be attempting to access the account.
If you shared your Social Security number, driver’s license, passport, or other identity information
Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a tailored recovery plan. Monitor bank, credit, tax, and employment-related accounts and report suspected unemployment or tax identity fraud through the appropriate government channel. Contact your bank, the FTC, and local law enforcement as appropriate. Preserve the message, the sender’s details, and any copies of documents you sent.
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If you shared bank or direct-deposit information
Call the bank’s fraud department using the number on your card, statement, or official website. Explain that your information was given to a suspected job scam and ask what account protections, holds, or replacement-account steps are appropriate. Watch for unauthorized withdrawals and new-account activity. Do not continue communicating with the scammer to recover the information.
If you downloaded software or gave remote access
Disconnect or close the suspicious session, remove unauthorized remote-access software, update security software, and run a scan. Change affected passwords from a clean device if possible. Contact your wireless provider if the scammer may have targeted your mobile account, then secure financial and email accounts. The FTC’s scam-recovery guidance includes additional steps.
If you deposited a check
Do not spend the money, withdraw it, buy equipment, or send any amount back. Contact your bank immediately and explain that the check may be fraudulent. Follow the bank’s instructions. Funds appearing in your account do not establish that the check is genuine, and you may be responsible for money you sent after depositing it.
If you sent money
Contact the company used to send the money immediately and ask whether the transaction can be reversed. The sooner you report it, the better, although recovery is not guaranteed.
| How you paid | First action |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Call the card issuer or bank, report the fraudulent charge, and request a reversal. |
| Bank transfer or unauthorized withdrawal | Contact the bank’s fraud department immediately and ask whether the transfer or debit can be reversed. |
| Payment app | Report the transaction to the app company and request reversal. If the app was linked to a card or bank account, report it there too. |
| Wire transfer | Contact the wire-transfer company or bank immediately and request a reversal. |
| Gift card | Contact the gift-card issuer immediately, say it was used in a scam, request a refund, and retain the card and receipt. |
| Cryptocurrency | Contact the exchange or service used to send it and report the fraudulent transaction. Crypto payments are typically not reversible, but prompt reporting may help flag the transaction. |
Do not pay a person who promises to recover your money for an upfront fee. That is commonly a second, or recovery, scam. The FTC provides payment-specific steps in its article on what to do if you were scammed.
If you accepted or reshipped packages
Stop sending packages, preserve shipping records and communications, and contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if mail or postal services were involved. Do not destroy evidence or continue following instructions while trying to determine whether the job is genuine. Reshipping can involve stolen goods or counterfeit payment instruments and may create legal exposure even when the participant did not understand the scheme.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to report to the FBI’s IC3
File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if money was lost, cryptocurrency was involved, the scam used a fake online employment platform, or the incident involved a broader cybercrime. Include screenshots, phone numbers, email addresses, URLs, payment details, transaction IDs, and cryptocurrency wallet addresses. The FBI’s guidance on work-from-home cryptocurrency scams specifically asks victims to preserve transaction information.
If the approach targeted your government, military, technical, or classified experience, it may be more than a standard payment scam. The FBI warns that foreign intelligence services can use fake consulting or employment opportunities to target people with specialized access or expertise. Stop communicating and report the approach to the FBI and, if applicable, your employer’s security or counterintelligence office. See the FBI’s guidance on foreign virtual targeting.
Common objections that do not make the text safe
“I really did apply for a job.”
That does not authenticate the text. Confirm the exact role on the employer’s official careers page and contact the company through a published number or form. A scammer may know about your application or may simply claim to be following up.
“The number has a local area code.”
A local number is not proof that the sender is local or employed by the company. Verify through the employer’s independently found contact information.
“The recruiter knows my name and resume details.”
Personalization can come from job boards, public profiles, data brokers, breaches, copied resumes, or automated tools. It is a supporting clue, not authentication.
“The message has the company logo and perfect grammar.”
Branding and polished language can be copied or generated. Independent verification of the job, recruiter, and hiring process is more reliable than appearance.
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“The interview happened over text, so I must have been hired.”
A text-based interview is not automatically fraudulent, but an interview conducted only through text or email is a major warning sign when paired with instant hiring, a generic email account, or requests for money or identity documents. Indeed identifies text-only recruiting approaches as indicators of recruitment fraud, including for its own recruiting.
“The company asked for my bank information.”
Bank and tax information can be legitimate during verified onboarding. It is a major warning sign when requested before a genuine interview, offer, or hiring process, especially through an untrusted text conversation.
Reporting and recovery directory
| Problem | First contact | Additional report |
|---|---|---|
| Suspicious text | Your phone’s Report Junk/Spam feature and 7726 | FTC |
| Suspicious Indeed message | Indeed Messages → three-dot menu → Report Spam | FTC |
| Fake Indeed job listing | Job description → bottom of page → Report job → Fake job | FTC |
| Money lost | Bank, card issuer, payment app, or wire-transfer company | FTC and IC3 |
| Cryptocurrency loss | Exchange or service used to send the crypto | IC3 and FTC |
| SSN, ID, or identity information exposed | IdentityTheft.gov and your bank | FTC and appropriate state or employment-fraud agencies |
| Fake check | Your bank immediately | FTC |
| Reshipping or stolen packages | U.S. Postal Inspection Service when postal services are involved | FTC and IC3 |
| Foreign-intelligence concern | FBI and your employer’s security office | Relevant law-enforcement or counterintelligence channel |
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Indeed ever text job seekers?
Indeed says it does not directly text job seekers with unsolicited job offers. It may send application or saved-job reminders, job-match alerts, employer-application alerts, and login-security messages. Use the Indeed app or type Indeed.com manually to verify a message rather than clicking its link.
Can a real employer text me about a job?
Yes. Indeed says an employer may contact an applicant by phone or text when the applicant provided a phone number in an application. Verify the employer, job, and recruiter through the company’s official website. That possibility does not make a text claiming to be from Indeed legitimate.
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What if I really applied for the job?
Treat the text as unverified. Find the exact role on the company’s official careers page and use a phone number or contact form published there. Do not use the sender’s phone number, link, email address, or WhatsApp account.
Is it safe to reply YES or INTERESTED?
Do not reply to an unsolicited job text. The FTC has warned that fake recruiters use these replies to begin fake-check and task scams. The FCC and FTC also advise against replying to suspicious texts because the response can confirm that your number is active.
What if the text came from a local phone number?
A local area code is not proof of identity. Phone numbers can be spoofed or operated through virtual services. Verify the opportunity through Indeed or the employer’s independently found website.
What if the recruiter knows my name or resume?
Personal details can be copied from resumes, public profiles, job boards, data brokers, or breaches. Personalization is not authentication. Confirm the exact role and recruiter through a known-good company channel.
What if I clicked the link but entered nothing?
Close the page and do not download anything. If you downloaded an app or file, remove it if appropriate, update security software, and run a scan. Change passwords if you entered them, and monitor important accounts for unusual activity.
What should I do if I sent my Social Security number?
Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a tailored recovery plan, notify your bank, monitor financial and employment-related accounts, and report suspected unemployment or tax identity fraud through the appropriate channel. Preserve the scam message and documents you sent.
What if I deposited the check?
Do not spend or return any money. Contact your bank immediately, explain that the check may be fraudulent, and follow its instructions. Funds appearing available in your account do not prove that the check has cleared permanently.
What if I paid with cryptocurrency?
Contact the exchange or service used to send the cryptocurrency immediately and report the fraud. Crypto payments are typically not reversible, but prompt reporting may help flag the transaction. Do not pay an upfront fee to a supposed recovery service.
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Yes, a legitimate employer may collect bank and tax information during verified onboarding. A request before a genuine interview, offer, or hiring process, particularly through an unsolicited text, is a major warning sign.
Should I report the text if I did not lose money?
Yes. Report it through your phone, forward it to 7726, and report it to the FTC. If it used Indeed Messages or an Indeed listing, report it to Indeed as well. Reports can help carriers, platforms, and authorities identify related campaigns.
The Bottom Line
Remember the distinction: Indeed may text alerts, reminders, and security messages, but it does not directly text unsolicited job offers. A real employer may contact you after you applied, yet every recruiter and role still needs independent verification. Do not reply, click, pay, share codes, deposit a check, send crypto, or reship packages until the opportunity is confirmed through Indeed or the employer’s official website. If you already shared money or sensitive information, contact the relevant bank, payment service, IdentityTheft.gov, FTC, IC3, or Postal Inspection Service immediately.
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