Be cautious of “get-paid-to” platforms with unclear rules and disappearing payouts.
What Is the DollarTub Scam?
DollarTub lures users with the promise of earning money by watching short videos—typically around 35 seconds each—claiming payouts of about $0.60 per video and cash-outs at a $100 threshold. It initially appears harmless and straightforward: watch, accumulate earnings, then withdraw. But that’s exactly how the trap is set.
Scam Mechanics and How It Hooks You
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hidden requirements | After reaching $100, users are “required” to complete extra steps—watch an additional 100 videos, refer 25 people, and finish 5 tasks—that were never disclosed initially. |
| Decreasing rewards | Early payouts may be higher (e.g., $0.60 per video), but gradually drop to as little as $0.10—making progress feel real, even as it slows down. |
| Endless task loops | Even after completing the tasks, users often find the progress reset to zero, forcing them to repeat the cycle indefinitely. |
| Referral push | Pressuring users to invite others—effectively turning each victim into an unwitting recruiter for the scam. |
| No accountability | Lack of real company information—no identifiable leadership, headquarters, or verifiable contact—makes it impossible to hold anyone responsible. |
| Social media hype | Fake payouts, testimonials, and TikTok posts create an illusion of legitimacy and urgency. |
What Real Users Are Saying
Stories from victims are consistent: after investing hours—or even days—into the platform, they reach the payout threshold only to face moving goalposts and vanish. One person reported lost earnings totaling $7,000, while others described endless task loops despite recruiting friends and completing requirements.
On Reddit, one user bluntly put it:
“Honestly I can say it’s scam… I reached $25, tried to withdraw then it says minimum is $100… verification required… carrot and stick… you are making money for them.”
Trustpilot echoes this skepticism, with users complaining about blocked withdrawals and manipulated conditions. One wrote:
“Watched over 100 videos… reached $100… then asked to refer 25 people… don’t bother!”
Another shared:
“Lost 7k and there’s no withdrawal… everything was fake… staff really bad.”
What to Do If You’ve Been Trapped by DollarTub
- Stop all activity. Don’t complete more videos, refer people, or enter sensitive information.
- Document everything. Take screenshots of account balances, messages, referral prompts, and terms.
- Notify your network. If you referred others, warn them immediately to prevent further damage.
- Protect your data. If you used the same password elsewhere, change it and enable two-factor authentication.
- Scan for malware. Use reputable security software to check for hidden trackers or spyware.
- Report the scam. Submit reports to platforms where you encountered DollarTub (e.g., TikTok), your local consumer protection or cybercrime authorities, and online scam databases.
- Share the knowledge. Your experience helps others avoid the same trap—but don’t try to outsmart the platform; the safest move is to disengage completely.
Why This Happens—and How to Spot the Next One
These schemes follow a familiar pattern: offer something seemingly easy and rewarding, then continually shift the conditions so that payouts stay out of reach—while your effort benefits the scam operator. Avoid platforms that:
- Hide important payout or referral rules behind a wall of tasks.
- Change conditions mid-way.
- Emphasize referrals over transparency.
- Use hype, fake reviews, or anonymous endorsements to lure people in.
Dealign with Crypto Scams – Method 1: Manual Removal Guide
Follow these steps to manually remove crypto scams and protect your system.
Step 1: Identify the Crypto Scam Source
- Check if you’ve been contacted by a scammer through email, Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, or social media.
- Identify any malicious software installed on your system, such as fake wallet apps or browser extensions.
- Scan your browser history and emails for phishing links.
Step 2: Report and Freeze Crypto Transactions (If Possible)
- Contact your crypto exchange immediately if you suspect fraud.
- Check if your transaction is pending (some blockchains allow canceling or replacing a transaction).
- Report the scam to authorities such as:
Step 3: Remove Malicious Software and Fake Wallet Apps
- Windows Users:
- Open Control Panel > Programs and Features
- Look for unknown apps related to crypto wallets or trading bots.
- Click Uninstall.
- Mac Users:
- Open Finder > Applications
- Locate suspicious apps and drag them to the Trash.
- On Mobile (Android & iOS):
- Go to Settings > Apps (Android) or General > iPhone Storage (iOS).
- Uninstall any unrecognized crypto wallet apps.
Step 4: Clear Browser Data and Remove Malicious Extensions
- Google Chrome:
- Go to chrome://extensions/
- Remove unfamiliar or suspicious extensions.
- Firefox, Edge, Safari:
- Open settings and remove unauthorized extensions.
- Clear Cache & Cookies:
- Open browser settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
Step 5: Reset Passwords & Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Change passwords for your crypto exchanges, wallets, and emails.
- Use a strong, unique password for each account.
- Enable 2FA on all critical accounts (Google Authenticator or YubiKey recommended).
Step 6: Scan for Malware and Keyloggers
Even if you removed software manually, some malware can still lurk in your system. Use a security tool to perform a deep scan (see SpyHunter method below for an automatic removal process).
Step 7: Monitor Your Accounts & Funds
- Track your crypto wallet transactions using Etherscan or Blockchain Explorer.
- Keep an eye on email login alerts from suspicious locations.
- Use a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) for better security.
Method 2: Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter
For a fast and reliable way to remove crypto scam-related malware, use SpyHunter.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
- Run the SpyHunter setup file.
- Follow the on-screen installation steps.
- Open SpyHunter once installed.
Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan
- Click on "Start Scan Now" to analyze your system.
- Wait for the scan to detect crypto scam malware, spyware, keyloggers, and phishing trojans.
Step 4: Remove Threats Automatically
- Click "Fix Threats" after the scan completes.
- SpyHunter will eliminate malware, fake apps, and browser hijackers.
Step 5: Protect Your System from Future Crypto Scams
- Enable SpyHunter's Real-Time Protection to block phishing sites and prevent future infections.
- Regularly scan your system for new threats.
Prevention Tips: How to Avoid Crypto Scams in the Future
- Always verify website URLs before logging into exchanges or wallets.
- Avoid unsolicited investment offers on Telegram, Discord, and email.
- Never share your private keys or recovery phrases with anyone.
- Use a hardware wallet instead of online wallets.
- Regularly update your antivirus and anti-malware software.
- Be skeptical of high-return crypto investment schemes.
Final Thoughts: Your Time—and Trust—Are Priceless
DollarTub isn’t a delayed side hustle—it’s a strategy built to extract your time, data, and connections while paying out nothing. If you’ve fallen into it, don’t waste more hours trying to beat the system. Instead, cut your losses, report it, and move on.
Your experience can help stop someone else from falling into the same trap—so please speak up, share your story, and protect others.
