During my college days, I worked multiple part-time jobs at any given time to survive. One job was at Rite Aid as a stocking associate (back in the early 2000’s). One assistant manager, let’s call him Rick, pulled me aside and asked if I liked e-commerce. I said yes, and he asked me if I wanted to learn more about his “second job” that helped him pay off his car. I figured it couldn’t hurt, so I agreed.
We met for lunch, and to make a long story short, he tried to recruit me to a multi-level-marketing company, AKA, an MLM. There was a fee to sign up, which as a broke student, I didn’t like. I told him I’d think about it. I later asked my older brother what he thought, and he explained MLM’s and pyramid schemes. Long story short, the co-worker tried to recruit me to Quixtar, which is/was a subsidiary of the nefarious Amway Corporation.
It is no secret that many students struggle financially. Online “gurus”, MLM pushers, and others specifically target students with the promise of making money quickly and easily. Overblown promises can be found on every social media platform. You’ve probably seen some of the following when browsing social media:
- Make $10k in 30 days by selling Canva art!
- Make thousands with a faceless Youtube channel!
- Start dropshipping to make thousands easily!
- Make $30k per month after taking my SWC course!
There’s more where that came from, but you get the idea. To that point, Side Hustle Watch has created a guide for students on how to avoid common side hustle and common job scams
🚨 Common Job and Side Hustle Scams to Watch Out For
1. Fake Job Offers / Phishing Jobs
How it works: Scammers pose as recruiters or companies offering remote jobs (like data entry or personal assistant roles). They may send you a check, ask you to buy equipment, or request personal details.
Red Flags:
- You’re hired immediately without an interview.
- You’re asked to deposit a check and send part of the money back.
- The “employer” communicates only via text or encrypted apps (like Telegram).
- Emails come from a generic Gmail/Yahoo account (e.g., hiringteam2024@gmail.com).
Example: “Congratulations! We reviewed your resume on Handshake. You’ve been hired to assist Dr. Thomas with scheduling and errands. Your first task is to cash a check and buy gift cards.”
Common listings:
- Mystery shopping
- Talent or model agencies
- Asked to pay for training, equipment, or other items
- Envelope stuffing
- Check processing
2. Reshipping Scams (“Package Handler” Gigs)
How it works: You’re told to receive packages, inspect or re-label them, and ship them overseas. These are often stolen goods.
Red Flags:
- The company has no physical address or online presence.
- They ask you to provide your home address for package deliveries.
- No legitimate paperwork, contract, or onboarding.
Example: “Join our logistics team from home! Just receive and ship packages. Earn $30/package!”
3. Social Media Side Hustle Scams
How it works: Scammers on TikTok, Instagram, or Reddit promise $500/day with no skills. They often push drop shipping, crypto schemes, or affiliate programs — then charge you for access. Not everyone offering a course on social media is a “scammer”, but they often make BIG promises and highly exaggerated claims.
For example, if someone tells you that they made $625k from their phone in ten months, run! They are likely pushing a course based on false claims and fuzzy data. They want your money, period.
Red Flags:
- “DM me to join my millionaire mentorship group.”
- “No work needed — passive income from your phone!”
- You’re told to pay a “startup fee” or buy a course to learn the secret.
Example: “Make $10K/month selling AI-generated notebooks on Amazon. Just buy my $47 eBook to start.”
4. Fake Internship Opportunities
How it works: Fake companies post internship listings (often unpaid or remote) to collect resumes, personal info, or promote their business with free labor.
Red Flags:
- The company isn’t listed on LinkedIn or doesn’t have a website.
- You’re asked to pay for “training” or “certification.”
- The internship turns into a multi-level marketing (MLM) pitch.
Example: “Our marketing firm offers remote internships. First, purchase your onboarding kit for $99.”
5. MLMs and Pyramid Schemes
How it works: You’re encouraged to sell health products, beauty items, or financial services — and recruit others. Earnings are tied more to recruitment than sales.
Red Flags:
- Emphasis on building your “team” rather than selling.
- You must buy inventory or a starter kit.
- Overhyped success stories but no real salary details.
Example: “Be your own boss selling vitamins! Just pay $199 to join our success team.”
6. Cash Flipping / Zelle / Venmo Scams
How it works: Someone offers to “flip” your money — you send them $50 and they promise $500 back. Or they “accidentally” send you money and ask you to return it.
Red Flags:
- “Guaranteed” profit or instant return on investment.
- Urgent pressure to act quickly.
- Payment only through cash apps.
Example: “Send me $75, and I’ll flip it into $750 in 20 minutes. Trust me, I do this for students all the time.”
7. Fake Affiliate Marketing Schemes
How it works: You’re told you can earn by promoting products, but the only product is… the course that taught you the system.
Red Flags:
- All the earnings come from selling the same training to others.
- No actual physical or digital product of value.
- High-pressure sales tactics.
Example: “I quit my job at 22 by becoming an affiliate for this life-changing platform. Join my coaching program to do the same.”
Affiliate marketing is a legitimate hustle, but social media is polluted with claims and lies about how “easy” it is to make money. Actual successful affiliate marketers don’t have time to teach others, and they certainly don’t want more competition.
🧠 How to Spot a Scam: 10 Red Flags
- No interview or application process
- Upfront fees — for training, onboarding, or access
- Vague job descriptions with buzzwords like “quick cash” or “freedom lifestyle”
- Requests for sensitive info — SSN, bank account, or ID early on
- Unprofessional communication — poor grammar, sketchy email domains
- Too-good-to-be-true pay for little to no work
- Pressure to act quickly — limited time offers or “spots”
- Only paid via apps like Zelle, CashApp, or crypto
- Fake checks or “refund this overpayment” schemes
- Negative or no reviews when you research the company online
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself
✅ Do Your Research
- Google the company + “scam”
- Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Glassdoor
- Check Reddit for feedback from others
- Look up the company’s domain age (use tools like WHOIS)
✅ Use Trusted Job Boards
Stick with your university’s Handshake, LinkedIn, or reputable job sites like:
- Indeed.com
- WayUp.com
- Internships.com
✅ Protect Your Info
- Never give your SSN, bank info, or ID unless it’s a verified employer AFTER hiring.
- Don’t send or deposit checks from strangers.
✅ Ask Questions
A legitimate employer won’t mind if you ask:
- Can I speak to current employees or interns?
- What’s the company’s full address?
- Can you share a formal job description?
📣 What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted
- Stop Communication — Block the scammer immediately.
- Don’t send money — Even if it feels like you’re “in too deep.”
- Report It:
- Police report if applicable
- BBB (Better Business Bureau)
- State Attorney General
- FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov)
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov)
- Your bank or payment provider
- Warn Others – Share what happened so peers don’t fall for it.
📝 Final Advice
The most important takeways from this article are as follows:
- Ask lots of questions
- Read the fine print
- Research all potential opportunities
Thank you for reading, and good luck!