Fort Myers Job Offer Text Scams: Sheriff Warning

Sheriff Carmine Marceno issued a fraud alert Wednesday about text message scams offering fake jobs to Fort Myers residents.

Scammers have targeted an estimated 400,000 unemployed Floridians using artificial intelligence to impersonate recruiters, the Federal Trade Commission reports. These schemes cost Florida residents more than $9 million over the past year, with the state second nationally in job-related fraud.

The scams typically advertise remote positions like "online assessor" with vague promises of daily or weekly pay. Scammers ask recipients to reply "YES" or "INTERESTED" rather than click links, then request money once they engage. Common tactics include fake checks that victims deposit and are asked to refund, or assignments to post positive reviews before demanding the victim's own funds.

Marceno and the FTC advise residents to:

Ignore unsolicited job offers via text, WhatsApp or Telegram. Never pay upfront fees for jobs or equipment. Reject offers to earn money by posting reviews or likes online. Disregard offers promising high pay for minimal work.

Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or visit ftc.gov/scams for more information.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office offers free crime prevention programs on online safety. Contact the office at (239) 477-1278 or [email protected] to schedule a presentation.