$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
LinkedIn endorsement-for-access scam
Scammers offer to endorse your LinkedIn skills in exchange for clicking a link or downloading a file, which installs malware or leads to a credential-harvesting page.
“social media scam”
↑ 470%Key indicators
Usually targetsProfessionals
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$400
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports95,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers connect with targets and offer mutual skill endorsements, a common practice on LinkedIn that makes the request seem normal.
2
They ask the target to 'review a document' or 'check out their portfolio' via a link that delivers malware or leads to a phishing site.
3
Once malware is installed, it can capture keystrokes, steal saved passwords, or provide remote access to the victim's computer.
What to do first
Never download files or click links from LinkedIn connections you do not know personally.
Related terms
LinkedIn skill endorsement scamendorsement exchange malwareLinkedIn quid pro quo scamSocial media scamsLinkedInSurgingProfessionalsJob seekersFreelancersFreelancers and contractorsPayroll, HR, and finance teamsTech workers and developersUnited StatesUnited KingdomIndiaLinkedIn skill endorsement scamendorsement exchange malware
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 35, a professionals, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate social media scams situation while using LinkedIn. Scammers connect with targets and offer mutual skill endorsements, a common practice on LinkedIn that makes the request seem normal.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They ask the target to 'review a document' or 'check out their portfolio' via a link that delivers malware or leads to a phishing site.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Once malware is installed, it can capture keystrokes, steal saved passwords, or provide remote access to the victim's computer.
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when a stranger offers to endorse your skills if you click a link or download a document first. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never download files or click links from LinkedIn connections you do not know personally. Christopher's experience shows why a stranger offers to endorse your skills if you click a link or download a document first and the link leads to a file download rather than a linkedin page are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- A stranger offers to endorse your skills if you click a link or download a document first
- The link leads to a file download rather than a LinkedIn page
- The person's profile has hundreds of connections but no posts or meaningful activity
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never download files or click links from LinkedIn connections you do not know personally.
- ✓Endorse skills directly on a person's LinkedIn profile page rather than through shared links.
- ✓Run antivirus software if you have already clicked a suspicious link and change your passwords immediately.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- LinkedIn-related malware distribution increased significantly in 2023, with threat actors using the platform as a trusted vector for initial access in corporate environments.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never download files or click links from LinkedIn connections you do not know personally.
- ✓Endorse skills directly on a person's LinkedIn profile page rather than through shared links.
- ✓Run antivirus software if you have already clicked a suspicious link and change your passwords immediately.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
LinkedIn-related malware distribution increased significantly in 2023, with threat actors using the platform as a trusted vector for initial access in corporate environments.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Professionals, Job seekers, Freelancers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, India, Canada
Primary channel
LinkedIn — Social media scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Professionals are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- LinkedIn-related malware distribution increased significantly in 2023, with threat actors using the platform as a trusted vector for initial access in corporate environments.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about linkedin endorsement-for-access scam
How does the linkedin endorsement-for-access scam work?+
Scammers connect with targets and offer mutual skill endorsements, a common practice on LinkedIn that makes the request seem normal. They ask the target to 'review a document' or 'check out their portfolio' via a link that delivers malware or leads to a phishing site. Once malware is installed, it can capture keystrokes, steal saved passwords, or provide remote access to the victim's computer.
What are the warning signs of linkedin endorsement-for-access scam?+
A stranger offers to endorse your skills if you click a link or download a document first The link leads to a file download rather than a LinkedIn page The person's profile has hundreds of connections but no posts or meaningful activity
What should I do if I encounter linkedin endorsement-for-access scam?+
Never download files or click links from LinkedIn connections you do not know personally. Endorse skills directly on a person's LinkedIn profile page rather than through shared links. Run antivirus software if you have already clicked a suspicious link and change your passwords immediately.
Who is most at risk for linkedin endorsement-for-access scam?+
This scam primarily targets Professionals, Job seekers, Freelancers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, India, Canada and typically appears on LinkedIn.
Is linkedin endorsement-for-access scam getting worse?+
LinkedIn endorsement-for-access scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, IN, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
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