LinkedIn / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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Job hunting can be grueling.

Endlessly scrolling job boards. Sending another resume seemingly into the void. So when a text message from a recruiter arrives directly to your phone promising flexibility, great benefits, and a big paycheck, you might think it's a gift from the universe.

More likely, it's a scammer targeting you for money, personal information, or free labor.

Job scammers made off with about $220 million in the first half of 2024, alone, according to the latest data available from the Federal Trade Commission .…