Anatomy of a Job Scam

A Real-Life Conversation with a Friend:
“Hello?” 

“I got the job!”
“Wow! That’s GREAT! When do you start?”
“I start on January 27th. My first two weeks I’ll be in training.”
“So, will you be working from home like you wanted?”
“Yes, girl! I already have my laptop; I just need to buy a desk and a chair. Oh, and I need to go to Staples to buy a standard business check refill.”
“Wait, WHAT?! A check refill?! Why would your new job require you to buy that?!”

How It Started
This was a conversation I recently had with a friend. She had been looking for a job to supplement her retirement income, and this opportunity seemed perfect. The job was posted on LinkedIn—a platform many people trust for professional networking and job searching. Everything seemed legitimate at first. The email exchange was between her and the “hiring manager” whose signature included the name of an established company. The initial email included the key job responsibilities, benefits, and pay.  It also included interview questions, including a question regarding the financial institution she would use for payroll.

Upon receiving the responses from my friend, the hiring manager responded with an offer to hire, but then came the red flag. She was instructed to purchase a “Standard Check Refill (Business)” from Staples, supposedly to print and deposit an eCheck they would issue for purchasing work equipment, etc. They promised reimbursement, but something didn’t sit right with me.

I asked her to forward the email exchange to me so I could review it. There were a number of red flags that immediately popped out for me. For instance:

• The email address from which the “hiring manager” sent her email did not match the domain name of the company she supposedly represented.
• Forms, such as the W-4 form, typically completed on or before the first day of employment were not going to be completed until after the two-week probationary period.
• The name of her bank was requested before a hire offer was made.
• She was instructed to purchase a “Standard Check Refill” for printing eChecks, with a promise of reimbursement.

These inconsistencies, coupled with the unusual request for upfront expenses, led me to suspect she was being scammed.

A Common Scam
This is the hallmark of a growing type of job scam. Fraudsters pose as legitimate companies, post enticing job offers on reputable platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed, and lure in unsuspecting job seekers. Once “hired,” they ask new employees to pay upfront for equipment, training materials, or other seemingly reasonable expenses, with a promise of reimbursement. Unfortunately, the reimbursement never comes, and in many cases, the checks they issue are fraudulent.

This scam preys on eager job seekers, especially those looking for remote work opportunities. The scammers leverage platforms with high credibility, like LinkedIn, to add legitimacy to their schemes. They often provide detailed job descriptions and conduct fake interviews to make their offer appear genuine.

Spotting the Red Flags
To protect yourself from falling victim to these scams, it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs:

1. Upfront Payments: Legitimate employers never ask employees to pay for equipment, training, or supplies out of pocket. If you’re asked to make a purchase before you’ve even started, it’s a scam.
2. Unusual Payment Methods: Be wary of requests to use unconventional payment methods or processes, such as eChecks or gift cards.
3. Vague Job Descriptions: If the job details or responsibilities seem overly broad or generic, proceed with caution.
4. Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Scammers often entice victims with high pay for minimal effort or experience.
5. Poor Communication: Watch for grammatical errors, inconsistencies in communication, or pressure to act quickly without time to verify details.

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam
If you think you’ve encountered a job scam, take the following steps:

• Stop Communication: Immediately cease contact with the company or individual.
• Report the Scam: File a report with the platform where you found the job posting and with organizations like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• Protect Your Information: If you’ve shared sensitive information, such as your banking details, contact your financial institution to secure your accounts.
• Warn Others: Share your experience to raise awareness and prevent others from falling victim.

Job scams are on the rise, and even trusted platforms like LinkedIn are not immune. If a job offer sounds too good to be true or asks you to pay for something upfront, step back and investigate. Protect yourself by staying informed and vigilant.