Updates from February, 2026 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Greg Collier 9:01 am on February 20, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: careers, clean energy, , , information technologies, infosec, , , skilled trades   

    Best Jobs of 2026, According to Geebo 

    By Greg Collier

    The strongest careers in 2026 are not defined by trend cycles or viral headlines. They are defined by structural demand. Demographics, technological integration, infrastructure investment, and energy transition are reshaping labor markets in measurable ways. When you examine primary labor data rather than promotional rankings, several clear themes emerge about which jobs offer the strongest outlook this year and beyond.

    The evidence comes directly from government and international workforce projections, not speculative forecasts.

    Healthcare Remains the Most Reliable Growth Engine

    Healthcare continues to lead job growth across the United States.

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and its Employment Projections 2022–2032 release, healthcare occupations are projected to add roughly 1.8 million jobs during the decade, more than any other occupational group. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, home health aides, and mental health counselors are among the fastest-growing roles. The Bureau attributes this expansion primarily to an aging population and increased demand for medical and supportive services.

    The BLS makes clear that this demand is structural. As the population over age 65 grows, so does the need for chronic care, long-term support, and in-home services. These are jobs that cannot be outsourced or meaningfully automated. They require people on the ground in local communities.

    Technology Work Shifts Toward Security and Integration

    Technology remains a top employment driver in 2026, but the emphasis has moved from consumer apps to enterprise infrastructure.

    The World Economic Forum outlines this transition in its Future of Jobs Report 2023, which identifies AI specialists, cybersecurity professionals, data analysts, and cloud engineers as among the fastest-growing roles worldwide. Nearly half of surveyed employers expect their business models to be transformed by automation and digital integration within five years.

    Supporting this, the BLS projects much faster than average growth for information security analysts driven by escalating cyber threats across healthcare, utilities, government, and manufacturing.

    The common thread in these primary sources is that foundational digital systems, not startup hype, are driving hiring. Organizations need workers who can build, maintain, and protect critical infrastructure.

    Clean Energy and Infrastructure Expansion

    Energy transition is now a core employment engine rather than a niche sector.

    The International Energy Agency reports in World Energy Employment 2023 that global energy employment reached roughly 67 million workers, with clean energy accounting for more than half of all new job creation. Solar, wind, battery manufacturing, and grid modernization are major contributors.

    In the United States, the BLS projects rapid growth for wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers, reflecting sustained public and private investment.

    These roles span engineering, skilled trades, project management, and maintenance. They are tied to long-term capital projects rather than short-term stimulus cycles.

    Skilled Trades Gain Renewed Economic Power

    One of the most underreported labor shifts in 2026 is the shortage of skilled trades workers.

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to project steady demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, industrial machinery mechanics, and construction managers, while demographic data show large portions of the existing workforce approaching retirement age.

    Industry surveys from the Associated General Contractors of America confirm that labor shortages remain one of the biggest constraints on housing and infrastructure development.

    For many workers, these careers now offer rising wages, faster hiring, and strong regional mobility, often without the burden of four-year degree debt.

    Remote Work and Distributed Opportunity

    Work location has permanently shifted.

    The U.S. Census Bureau reports through its American Community Survey that remote work participation remains well above pre-2020 levels, especially in professional services, finance, IT support, and administrative roles.

    This has broadened access to employment outside major metro areas and changed how people search for work. While massive platforms dominate visibility, many job seekers are also turning to established classifieds and community-oriented employment sites that emphasize safety and transparency, including long-running services such as Geebo.

    As the labor market decentralizes geographically, so does the way workers connect with employers.

    What Defines the Best Jobs in 2026

    When primary data from federal agencies and international institutions are compared side by side, a consistent pattern appears. The strongest careers in 2026 cluster around healthcare, digital infrastructure, clean energy, and skilled trades.

    These jobs are tied to essential services, resistant to automation, and supported by documented workforce shortages or long-term investment. They are backed by measurable projections rather than marketing rankings.

    Career decisions should not be guided by lifestyle headlines alone. The most reliable signals come from labor statistics, demographic trends, and infrastructure spending.

    In 2026, usefulness is the clearest predictor of opportunity. The jobs that keep people healthy, systems secure, power flowing, and communities functioning are the ones most likely to deliver stability and growth for years to come.

     

  • Greg Collier 9:00 am on February 17, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,   

    The “Random Task Job” Scam: Easy Money That Costs You Everything 

    By Greg Collier

    If you’ve received a text, WhatsApp message, Telegram DM, or social media note promising quick cash for doing simple online tasks, stop right there.

    You may be staring at what’s commonly called a random task job scam (also known as a task scam or gamified job scam). It’s one of the fastest-growing online fraud schemes right now, and it’s draining victims’ bank accounts while pretending to offer flexible remote work.

    This scam doesn’t rely on technical hacking. It relies on psychology.

    What Is a Random Task Job Scam?

    A random task job scam is a fake employment scheme where criminals promise easy income for completing small online tasks such as:

    • Liking or rating content
    • Clicking links
    • “Optimizing” apps or products
    • Completing repetitive micro-tasks on a dashboard

    The pitch is always the same: low effort, high pay, work from anywhere.

    But there is no real job.

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, these scams are designed to create the illusion of earnings while slowly maneuvering victims into sending their own money.

    Once that happens, the scammer disappears.

    How the Scam Typically Works

    The process is surprisingly consistent across thousands of reports.

    First comes the unsolicited contact. A stranger reaches out via text message, WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media. They claim to be recruiting on behalf of a company or platform and offer paid “task work.”

    You’re directed to a slick website or app that looks professional enough to pass a casual inspection.

    Next comes the hook.

    You perform a few simple tasks and immediately see money credited to your account. Sometimes you’re even allowed to withdraw a small amount at first. This is intentional. It builds trust and convinces you the system is legitimate.

    Then comes the pivot.

    You’re told you must deposit funds to unlock higher-paying tasks or to complete a “combo” or “bundle.” The payment is almost always requested in cryptocurrency, commonly USDT, because crypto transfers are irreversible.

    Once you send money, the demands escalate. More deposits are required. Withdrawals are suddenly “locked.” Customer support stops responding.

    Your earlier “earnings” were never real.

    They were just numbers on a screen.

    Security researchers at Malwarebytes report that task scams surged dramatically over the past year, driven by organized fraud networks using identical scripts and platforms across multiple countries.

    Why People Fall for It

    This scam is effective because it exploits several human vulnerabilities at once:

    • Financial stress
    • Desire for flexible remote work
    • Trust built through small early payouts
    • Gamification that encourages continued participation
    • Sunk-cost pressure once money has already been sent

    Victims often believe they’re just one payment away from unlocking their balance. That moment never comes.

    By the time reality sets in, the funds are gone.

    The Biggest Red Flags

    • While the details may vary, random task job scams almost always share these warning signs:
    • You are contacted out of the blue about a job.
    • There is no interview, résumé review, or formal hiring process.
    • You’re promised unusually high pay for trivial work.
    • You are asked to pay money to access tasks or withdraw earnings.
    • Payments are requested in cryptocurrency.
    • You’re pressured to act quickly or risk losing your “progress.”

    Legitimate employers do not charge employees to get paid.

    Ever.

    Australia’s national consumer watchdog, Scamwatch, explicitly warns that any job requiring upfront payments is almost certainly fraudulent.

    What to Do If You’re Contacted

    If someone offers you task work through a random message, the safest move is to ignore it entirely.

    Do not click links.

    Do not download apps.

    Do not provide personal information.

    Do not send money.

    If you’ve already interacted with a scammer, stop immediately. Save any evidence and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

    If cryptocurrency was involved, also notify your exchange platform, though recovery is unlikely.

    Final Thoughts

    The random task job scam thrives on false hope and artificial urgency. It looks modern, professional, and harmless. But behind the interface is a classic con: convincing people to hand over real money in exchange for imaginary rewards.

    If a stranger offers you easy income for clicking buttons, remember this:

    Real jobs pay you.
    They don’t charge admission.

     

  • Greg Collier 9:00 am on February 10, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Missed You at the Gym, , , ,   

    “Missed You at the Gym” Is a Romance Scam 

    “Missed You at the Gym” Is a Romance Scam

    By Greg Collier

    Valentine’s Day is coming, and scammers are doing what they always do: adjusting their scripts to match the season.

    This week it’s being reported that there’s been a surge in romance scams that start with one deceptively casual message:

    “Missed you at the gym today!”

    It looks harmless. Friendly, even.

    It is neither.

    According to the Better Business Bureau, this is part of a growing “wrong number” smishing campaign designed to pull victims into long-form financial grooming. The BBB says that these texts are engineered to spark conversation, build trust, and eventually extract money.

    This is not accidental outreach.

    It is deliberate social engineering.

    How the Scam Actually Works

    The opening message is always low-pressure. It might reference a gym. Sometimes it’s coffee. Sometimes it’s “Sorry I’m late.”

    The point is not accuracy. The point is engagement.

    Once you reply, even just to say “wrong number,” the hook is set.

    From there, scammers pivot into relationship building. They often invent personal backstories, recent breakups, or loneliness to establish emotional rapport. The conversation slowly shifts from casual chat to something more personal.

    That’s when the grooming phase begins.

    You’re not asked for money right away. Instead, they spend days or weeks creating familiarity. They learn about your life. They mirror your interests. They present themselves as kind, attentive, and reliable.

    Only after that foundation is laid does the financial angle appear.

    Maybe they suddenly have an emergency.

    Maybe they “trust you” and want to share a great investment opportunity.

    Either way, the endgame is the same: your money.

    And they almost always push for payment through mobile apps or digital platforms, where transactions are fast and nearly impossible to reverse.

    By the time victims realize something is wrong, the funds are gone.

    So is the scammer.

    This Isn’t Romance. It’s Financial Grooming.

    What makes this version especially dangerous is how gradual it is.

    There’s no urgent demand in the first message. No obvious threat. No flashing red lights.

    Instead, it’s a slow emotional setup.

    The BBB says scammers “befriend you,” build trust entirely through text, and then introduce a story that creates financial pressure or temptation.

    That is grooming behavior.

    It’s the same tactic used in classic romance scams, just repackaged for SMS.

    And Valentine’s Day provides the perfect cover. People are already thinking about connection. Loneliness is higher. Emotional vulnerability is easier to exploit.

    Scammers know this. That’s why these campaigns spike right now.

    Red Flags

    The biggest warning sign is also the simplest.

    You did not ask this person to contact you.

    Every single version of this scam starts with unsolicited outreach from an unknown number. There is no genuine scenario where a stranger texting you about the gym evolves into a legitimate relationship or profitable investment.

    Other common patterns follow quickly:

    • The relationship exists only via text.
    • They avoid video calls or in-person meetings.
    • They introduce personal hardship or sudden opportunities.
    • They steer payments toward apps or crypto.

    These are not coincidences. They are structural features of the scam.

    What You Should Do Instead

    The BBB’s advice is straightforward.

    • Do not respond to texts from unknown numbers.
    • Do not try to be polite.
    • Do not explain that they have the wrong person.
    • Block the sender. Report the message. Move on.

    Every reply increases the likelihood that your number will be tagged as responsive and resold to other fraud networks.

    Engagement is exactly what they want.

    Final Thoughts

    This scam works because it doesn’t look like a scam.

    It looks like a human mistake.

    That’s the trick.

    The “Missed you at the gym” text is not a wrong number. It is a mass-sent lure designed to pull you into a long con that ends with drained accounts and vanished contacts.

    No stranger accidentally texting you in February is about to become your soulmate or your financial advisor.

    They are running a script.

    And the safest move is not to play along.

    Further Reading

     

  • Greg Collier 9:00 am on February 3, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ghost students, , ,   

    Ghost Students: The Financial Aid Scam 

    By Greg Collier

    When a parent recently tried to apply for federal student financial aid alongside their college-bound child, they weren’t looking for a degree for themselves.

    They already had one; several, in fact.

    Instead, they discovered something far more troubling: student aid accounts tied to both identities already existed. Those accounts showed applications to multiple community colleges, requests for grants and loans, and enrollment activity neither person had authorized.

    That was the moment the panic set in.

    What initially looked like routine identity theft turned out to be something much larger. A rapidly expanding fraud scheme that has quietly drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal student aid system while saddling unsuspecting victims with debts they never incurred.

    What Is a “Ghost Student” Scam?

    A “ghost student” isn’t a student at all.

    It’s a stolen or fabricated identity used to:

    • Enroll in online community college courses
    • Apply for Pell grants and federal student loans
    • Collect the money
    • Vanish before coursework even begins

    The loans, however, don’t vanish.

    According to federal investigators, unpaid aid is often assigned to the identity-theft victim, sometimes years later, when tax agencies or loan servicers notify them of a debt they never knew existed.

    In many cases, victims only learn they’ve been defrauded when they’re told they owe the federal government money.

    Why This Scam Exploded After the Pandemic

    Student aid fraud has existed for decades. What changed was scale.

    When the pandemic pushed colleges, especially community colleges, toward remote learning, scammers saw an opening:

    • Open enrollment policies
    • Fully online classes
    • Overburdened financial aid offices
    • Limited identity verification
    • Automation and AI-assisted application tools

    According to federal officials, fraud expanded almost overnight.

    Over the past five years, investigators have identified more than $350 million in confirmed losses tied to ghost student schemes and acknowledge that figure represents only a fraction of what’s actually occurring. Hundreds of investigations remain open nationwide, with some operations suspected of generating over a billion dollars in fraudulent aid.

    Open Enrollment, Open Season

    Community colleges are particularly vulnerable because accessibility is central to their mission.

    That same accessibility, however, creates systemic risk:

    • Minimal screening at the application stage
    • High application volume
    • Limited staffing and technical resources
    • Financial aid systems designed for speed, not fraud detection

    The scope is staggering:

    • In one large state system, nearly one-third of community college applicants in a recent year were flagged as fraudulent.
    • One college discovered hundreds of fake students enrolled simultaneously.
    • Another found that a single online class filled in minutes. Only a handful of enrollees turned out to be real people seeking an education.

    Fake students don’t just steal money. They also take seats from legitimate students, disrupting instruction and delaying real academic progress.

    The Hidden Victims

    The federal government absorbs financial losses. Colleges absorb administrative chaos.

    But individuals absorb the personal damage:

    • Credit issues
    • Loan balances they never agreed to
    • Delayed or denied legitimate financial aid
    • Months, or years, spent untangling records

    Clearing false enrollments often requires contacting multiple schools, financial aid offices, and law enforcement agencies across state lines. For many victims, the process is slow, confusing, and emotionally draining.

    Software Fixes and New Questions

    To fight back, colleges have increasingly turned to identity-verification software vendors promising to detect fraudulent applications before aid is disbursed.

    These platforms market themselves as digital gatekeepers, claiming high detection rates and rapid screening. Some have been adopted by hundreds of schools in just a few years.

    Whether these tools represent a lasting solution or simply another layer of automated decision-making with its own risks remains unresolved. What is clear is that ghost student fraud has become both a crisis and a business opportunity.

    Meanwhile, scammers range from careless amateurs to organized networks operating overseas and domestically. Some are even bold enough to contact school officials directly and propose profit-sharing arrangements in exchange for inside access.

    How Ordinary People Get Caught Up

    In many cases, victims believe their information was exposed through unrelated data breaches, such as health care or financial system hacks.

    Once personal data is compromised, it can be repurposed endlessly:

    • College applications
    • Student aid accounts
    • Loan disbursements

    You don’t need to be planning to attend college to become a ghost student.

    You just need to exist in the wrong database at the wrong time.

    Warning Signs You Won’t Notice

    Unlike classic scams, this one rarely arrives with obvious red flags:

    • No phishing email
    • No urgent text message
    • No suspicious link

    Instead, the first warning often comes from bureaucracy:

    • A notice that an aid account already exists
    • A denial based on “prior enrollment”
    • A debt you never authorized

    By the time that happens, the fraud has already succeeded.

    What You Can Do

    Authorities recommend proactive protection—especially for families with college-age students:

    • Freeze your credit with all major credit bureaus
    • Monitor federal student aid accounts closely
    • Act immediately if you’re told an account exists that you didn’t create

    Final Thoughts

    The ghost student scam thrives on invisibility.

    It exploits openness, automation, and trust, then leaves real people to clean up the damage. You don’t have to click anything. You don’t have to apply for aid. Likewise, you just have to have your identity exposed once.

    And by the time you find out, someone else may already have gone to college in your name.

    Further Reading

     

c
Compose new post
j
Next post/Next comment
k
Previous post/Previous comment
r
Reply
e
Edit
o
Show/Hide comments
t
Go to top
l
Go to login
h
Show/Hide help
shift + esc
Cancel