Common side hustle scams to watch out for and how to spot one

With the cost of living rising, more of us are looking for ways to boost our income. Side hustles have become hugely popular, with research by Sage showing almost half of Brits now have one, and around 7 in 10 young people are juggling more than one income stream.

But sadly, while we get more inventive and creative about the way we earn extra money, so do the scammers.

Many fake side hustles are designed to tempt you with quick, easy money for very little work. In reality, they often demand upfront payments, steal your personal information, or pull you into criminal activity without you realising.

Common side hustle scams to watch out for

• Fake investment groups - you’re invited to join a WhatsApp group that promises huge profits from crypto or trading. The 'earnings' screenshots are fake and any money you send is simply taken.

• Paid social media engagement - you’re told you can earn money by liking or sharing posts. But you’re asked to pay a fee to 'unlock rewards', and once you pay, the scammer vanishes.

• Reshipping jobs - you’re asked to receive parcels, repackage them, and send them on. But the goods are usually stolen, pulling you into fraud without your knowledge.

• ‘Simple’ online tasks - you’re promised easy money for testing apps or doing small online jobs. The work may be real, but the payment never is, and sometimes you end up helping a fraud operation.

Side hustle red flags

Look out for these signs that you’re dealing with a scammer:

• High-pressure tactics – you’re pushed to sign up immediately.
• Requests for upfront payments – real employers never ask you to pay for training, equipment or access.
• Contacting you out of the blue – if you didn’t start the conversation, be cautious.
• Social media job ads – many scams are promoted on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• Asking for personal information too soon – never share your bank details or national insurance number until you’ve accepted a real job.
• Unrealistic pay – if the money sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
• Overpayments – a classic scam where you’re ‘overpaid’ and then asked to return the extra. Once the bank finds out the money was fraudulent, you’re left to deal with the fallout.
• Vague or missing details – if you can’t find a proper website, address or any genuine online presence, walk away.

How to protect yourself

• Be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
• Never pay money to get a job and never use your own bank account to move money for a company.
• Look up the recruiter or company yourself. Don’t rely on links or screenshots they send you.
• Avoid any ‘job’ that pushes you into group chats or asks you to download unfamiliar apps.

Think you’ve been scammed? Here’s what you can do

Don’t feel embarrassed if you’ve been scammed, as they’re designed to trick anyone. Taking action can help others avoid the same fate.

• You can report the scam to Citizens Advice and they’ll pass information onto Trading Standards who will decide whether or not to investigate.  

• It’s also a good idea to report scams to Action Fraud on their website or by calling 0300 123 2040.  

• If you spot an online scam advert, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority. 

Job scams are getting smarter, but so can you. Learn more about how to spot and stop online scams in our guide on how to outsmart online scammers.