Fake Job Offers
I’m rarely at a loss for words, but this scam left me speechless.
A job seeker sends out a resume and receives a response regarding a work-from-home role. The job involves inputting data into the company’s system, and it all sounds completely legit. The interview is conducted via chat (not in-person or via video), which is a bit odd but it’s not enough to make the job seeker bail. During the “interview,” the job seeker is told, “You’re hired!” and is informed that office equipment (laptop, printer, etc.) will be needed in order for them to start work. To obtain this equipment, a check will be sent to them via FedEx, and they should deposit that check into their bank account then purchase everything from an approved vendor.
What actually arrives is a copy of a check. The "new hire" uses mobile banking to deposit the funds and, while the deposit is pending, purchases the required equipment using their own funds.
The scam is that the equipment never arrives and the deposit doesn’t go through, so the job seeker is out of pocket whatever funds were used to purchase the equipment.
The two situations I heard about involved one individual spending $600, and another having money withdrawn from his account by the “hiring company” on a regular basis.
If you are approached about a new job…be aware of these situations:
If there’s no personal interview (in-person or via video) then you need to run, not walk, to the nearest exit.
If you’re not asked to complete any HR forms…then keep running. (HR forms will be a job application, a background verification release, or a US government i9 form)
If you’re told you have to purchase equipment in order to do the job…aim for that exit with extreme haste.
Your job search shouldn’t cost you much more than a ream of paper and some printer ink for your resume, plus maybe a LinkedIn membership. Purchasing your own equipment in the fashion outlined above should never be part of the deal.
In interviews, adopt a style of being professionally friendly but be on the lookout for anything that seems cagey. Trust your instincts. If something seems too good to be true then put on those running shoes on and get moving!
Stories from the trenches…
One job seeker surmised there’s no perfect job…just degrees of contentment. When the balance tips enough towards discontent, that's you start looking for a new home.