Beware of the $17 Google CAPTCHA scam - don’t fall for the trap!

We recently highlighted a Bumble7 scam that promised users easy money. And now, imagine sitting at your computer, minding your own business, when suddenly a pop-up appears claiming you can make easy money by verifying Google CAPTCHAs. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s because it is! This scheme has scammed hundreds out of their hard-earned cash, and we’re here to warn you: don’t be the next victim.

The Google CAPTCHAs scam involves fake websites that falsely claim to be associated with Google. These scam sites, making-recaptch[.]site and recapt-go[.]me among the popular ones, purport that Google has launched a new program paying users to analyze CAPTCHAs — the distorted text images used to verify human users. The sites claim users can earn money by determining if Captchas are flagged correctly or incorrectly, with promises of easy cash withdrawals after a few tasks. However, this is a deceptive tactic designed to steal money and personal data. Google has no such program, and these scammers impersonate Google to seem credible and trick users into divulging money and information.

Here’s how it works: a pop-up or advertisement claims that you can earn money by simply analyzing CAPTCHAs — those little tests that prove you’re human. You’re promised a payout after completing a few simple tasks, but there’s a catch — you need to pay an upfront fee, typically around $17. The promise? You’ll get your money back after completing a set number of CAPTCHAs. Sounds harmless, right? Wrong.

Once you’ve paid the fee, things start to unravel. In a November 2024 thread that so far has over 350 “I have the same question” upvotes, some people report being redirected to dubious websites, while others receive nothing but vague instructions or further requests for more money. One user shared, “I was told to pay $17 upfront and it would be reimbursed once I started verifying the CAPTCHAs. It seemed fishy.” Another lamented, “I’ve lost close to $100 because they kept asking for more information and payments.”

Let’s be clear: Google does not pay people to solve CAPTCHAs despite contrary claims. Legitimate CAPTCHA systems are designed to differentiate humans from bots — they’re not income-generating tasks. This scam exploits the familiarity of CAPTCHAs to make the scheme appear credible, but it’s all a ruse.

The allure of easy money is powerful. Add Google’s trusted name into the mix, and it’s easy to see why so many people get duped. One commenter pointed out, “It really looked very legit… I almost fell for that trap.” Scammers often use reputable brands to lend legitimacy to their scams, tricking people into parting with their money and personal information.

If you encounter this or a similar offer, here’s what you need to do:

1. Don’t pay any upfront fees: Legitimate job offers don’t ask for money upfront.
2. Verify the source: If an offer claims to be from Google, double-check through official channels.
3. Report the scam: Alert Google and local authorities to help stop the scam from spreading.
4. Monitor your finances: If you’ve already paid, keep an eye on your bank accounts and consider reporting the fraud to your bank.

This scam has sparked widespread outrage. One user expressed their frustration, “I’m taking Google to court immediately.” Another noted, “It’s a scam! Just listening to the long video, which doesn’t make sense anyway, the paying of $17 is a HUGE flag.” The consensus is clear: this is a scam, and Google is not behind it.

Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay vigilant, question suspicious offers, and protect your hard-earned money. The internet is full of opportunities, but it’s also a playground for scammers. Don’t let them win — stay informed, stay safe, and share this information to help others avoid falling into the same trap.

And remember, no one’s paying you to solve CAPTCHAs — except maybe your frustrated family members who can’t figure them out.