Exposed: Why That Qualtrics Text Message Job Offer Is a Scam You Should Avoid
Received a text from a'Qualtrics recruiter\' promising $250-$500 a day for part-time work? Don’t fall for it!
Recently, I received a text message claiming to be from a recruiter named Adina at Qualtrics, offering a lucrative remote part-time job. The message promised flexible hours, free training, and an impressive salary of $250 to $500 a day for just 60-90 minutes of work, four days a week, with a base salary of $600 every three days. It also mentioned generous benefits like 15-20 days of paid annual leave and a contact number for more details. However, after careful analysis, it’s clear this message is a scam. Below, I’ll break down the red flags that expose it as fraudulent.
Here's the original text:
Hi, I'm a recruiter at Qualtrics, my name is Adina. Your background and resume have been recommended by multiple online recruitment agencies. Therefore, we would like to offer you a great remote online part-time job to help Qualtrics merchants update data, increase visibility and bookings, and provide you with free training. Flexible part-time and full-time work, allowing you to work 60 to 90 minutes a day, 4 days a week, and earn extra income on weekends. You can work anytime and anywhere according to your schedule and earn $250 to $500 a day. The basic salary is $600 per 3 days of work. Paid annual leave: In addition to maternity leave, paternity leave and other statutory holidays, ordinary employees also enjoy 15-20 days of paid annual leave. The company currently has 50 vacancies, if you want to join us, please send a text message to 8459068374 for more information (Note: You must be at least 25 years old)
Red Flag #1: Unsolicited Contact
The text claims my resume was recommended by "multiple online recruitment agencies," but I never applied for a job with Qualtrics, nor did I share my contact information with such agencies. Legitimate companies like Qualtrics, a reputable experience management firm, don't send unsolicited text messages to random individuals. They typically recruit through official channels like their careers page, LinkedIn, or verified job boards.
Red Flag #2: Unrealistic Earnings
The promised earnings - $250 to $500 a day for 60-90 minutes of work - are highly suspicious. This translates to an hourly rate of $166 to $500, which is unrealistic for a part-time job requiring minimal experience and offering "free training." Even high-paying remote jobs in tech or consulting rarely offer such rates without specialized skills or qualifications. The additional claim of a "$600 per 3 days" base salary is vague and inconsistent, further raising doubts.
Red Flag #3: Vague Job Description
The message describes the job as helping "Qualtrics merchants update data, increase visibility and bookings," but provides no clear details about the role. Qualtrics specializes in survey software and experience management, not "merchants" or "bookings," which suggests the sender is unfamiliar with the company's actual business model. Legitimate job offers include specific job titles, responsibilities, and requirements, not ambiguous buzzwords.
How Scams Like This Operate
Scams like this often aim to extract personal information or money from victims. Responding to the text could lead to requests for sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers or bank details, under the guise of "onboarding." Alternatively, scammers may ask for an upfront payment for "training materials" or "job placement fees," then disappear. Another possibility is that the job involves illegal activities, like money laundering, disguised as legitimate work.
How to Verify Legitimate Job Offers
To protect yourself from similar scams:
Verify the Source: Check if the message comes from an official company email or phone number. Visit the company's official website (e.g., qualtrics.com) to confirm open positions.
Research the Company: Ensure the job aligns with the company's actual business. Qualtrics focuses on survey and experience management software, not merchant services.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Never provide sensitive details like your Social Security number or bank information unless you've verified the employer's legitimacy.
Report Suspicious Messages: Forward scam texts to your phone carrier or report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Conclusion
The text message claiming to be from a Qualtrics recruiter is a clear scam, marked by unsolicited contact, unrealistic pay promises, vague job details, a suspicious phone number, overly generous benefits, and an arbitrary age restriction. Always approach unsolicited job offers with skepticism and verify them through official channels. If you've received a similar message, avoid responding and report it to protect yourself and others.