Pasco County, FL – Residents across Pasco County are being warned Friday to stay alert as scammers increasingly target people with fake job offers sent by text message.
According to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, these scams often involve unsolicited texts claiming to be from recruiters offering part-time or full-time jobs—sometimes using the names of real companies to appear legitimate. In many cases, the offers promise high pay, flexible hours, or remote work for positions the recipient never applied for.
Authorities say the messages are designed to trick victims into sharing personal information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details, or to persuade them to click on fraudulent links that can lead to identity theft or financial loss.
The Sheriff’s Office says these job offer scams have become more frequent and sophisticated, making them harder to spot at first glance. Scammers may claim your résumé was “recommended” or that you were “selected” for an opportunity that seems too good to be true.
To protect yourself, deputies recommend never clicking on suspicious links or responding to messages from unknown senders. Residents are also urged to research any company offering a job to confirm its legitimacy and check whether similar scams have been reported. Unwanted or suspicious texts should be reported and blocked immediately.
Officials remind residents that legitimate employers typically do not conduct hiring solely through text messages or ask for sensitive personal information upfront.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by a scam is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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