Published 6/29/2026 · Shared anonymously

The "work from home" job that asked me to pay to get paid.

I was out of work and worried about bills. Someone messaged me offering an easy remote job "rating products." The first few days I actually earned small amounts. Then my account showed a negative balance, and they said I had to deposit my own money to "unlock" my earnings. I deposited $300. Then they wanted more. That is when I realized the earnings were never real — the whole app was built to get me to deposit. No legitimate job ever asks you to pay to work, or to release your own wages. I stopped, reported the number and the site to the FTC, and warned others. If someone recruits you for a job out of nowhere over text, please be careful.