Pay-to-Get-Paid Scams
Any 'job' that requires you to pay first — for access, processing, or release of your earnings.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Pay-to-get-paid scams require you to send money before you can receive your earnings — for 'activation', 'processing', 'tax', or 'membership'. The earnings never arrive.
How it works
After 'work' or recruitment, you're told a payment is needed before wages are released. Each fee is followed by another. This pattern appears in task scams, fake jobs, and freelance scams alike.
Common red flags
- Any requirement to pay before being paid
- Fees labelled 'activation', 'tax' or 'processing'
- Escalating payments to release earnings
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Your earnings of [amount] are ready. Pay a [amount] processing fee to release them.
Payment methods used
- Crypto
- Bank transfer
- Gift cards
- Payment apps
Who is usually targeted
- Job seekers
- Gig and task workers
What to do immediately
- Stop — legitimate jobs never require you to pay to be paid
- Contact your bank if you paid
- Report the scam
Evidence to preserve
- Messages and fee demands
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ever normal to pay to receive wages?
No. Employers and genuine platforms do not require you to pay a fee to release your own earnings. Treat any 'pay to get paid' demand as a scam.