Not Really!
Got this check.
It was only for $3,950.25
This is a weird but true story.
I was on snag-a-job and saw a job listing
for a mystery shopper/office help for Costa Coffee.$450.00 a week!
This is a weird but true story.
I was on snag-a-job and saw a job listing
for a mystery shopper/office help for Costa Coffee.$450.00 a week!
Sounded good, so I applied.
The name of the employer and a physical address were listed.
Dallas, I’m not too familiar with Dallas.
But I do know that the traffic is always jacked up.
If I got the job I wanted to know just how far into Dallas I’d have to go.
Being the inquisitive type I googled the address.
Being the inquisitive type I googled the address.
Hum, no such address.
The best google could do is get me in the general area.
Not good.
Desolate looking, industrial, southeast Dallas location.
Hubby is from Dallas so I ask him about the area.
Not good.
Googled Costa Coffee… Based in the UK.
Googled the employer’s name… Lots of Dr. James Mccallum‘s.
Something in the back of my mind was telling me, this job is hokey.
Fast forward a week.
Fast forward a week.
I get an email from the "employer" asking me to
verify my address, asking for an alternate email etc.
I emailed back saying, not sure what you want.
Thinking to self, no way you’re getting any info!
(I even contacted snag -a-job with the job link to verify, they were no help).
Several emails later from "Dr. James", (at this point I’m jacking with him)
I was told to watch my mail for the job assignment.
I took the check to my bank manager just for grins.
Thanks for the update, I will like to inform you of your first assignment which involves an evaluation service of Western Union Money Transfer Service based in your area.
He told me it was a fake/forgery and to expect an email
with instructions something like this….
(This is the actual email).
Thanks for the update, I will like to inform you of your first assignment which involves an evaluation service of Western Union Money Transfer Service based in your area.
Western Union offers one of the easiest ways for families and friends to send money and stay connected almost anywhere in the world.
YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT
Please I’ll advise you deposit the check for ($3,950.25) upon receipt into your account, deduct $450 pay for this assignment and have the remaining funds wired via western union money transfer service to our overseas mystery shopper in Philippine to complete his assignment:
1st Assignment
Wire $3,500 Minus Transfer Charges TO
Name: Alex Martin Philips
Address: 843 EDSA AVENUE MAKATI 252,Philippines
TEST QUESTION: PAYMENT FOR?
TEST ANSWER: ASSIGNMENT
During this assignment which requires you to have the check cashed at your bank before proceeding to wire the remaining funds at any local western union money transfer office in your area. You are expected to secretly perform the following shopping operation:
1. How fast and Efficient is the Western Union Money Transfer Service?
2. How long did it take you to have the funds wired?
3. How close is the Western Union Money Transfer Location to your area?
4. Is the Senders Request Form too short or Long? Kindly Advise
5. Is the neighboring environment safe for handling Western Union Money Transfer Service where you have the funds wired?
6. General Comments.
I will be expecting your e-mail with the details of money transfer as soon as possible ,remember to forward to me the following money transfer details below after you have made the transfer .
1 ) MTCN---Money Transfer Control Numbers
2 ) Senders Name & Address
3 ) Exact Amount Sent After Transfer Charges.
Thanks once again for the opportunity to trust and continue doing business with you.
Regards,
James Mccallum.MD
RIGHT!!!
Today I received another email from "Dr. James"
asking for the particulars.
I emailed back.
(I tried two more times to alert snag-a-job with no luck).
"As soon as you send me a real check I’ll think about the job".
(I tried two more times to alert snag-a-job with no luck).
There were a lot of clues in this little journey,
English was not his first language, bogus address,
typos, probe for personal info, why would a Dr. be involved in mystery shopping,
why was the check mailed from VA. drawn on a bank in CA.……
This is a first for me.
As a rule I’m pretty suspicious, things are rarely as they seem.
If it seems too good, well you know….
I wonder how many people fall for this?
Has anyone ever tried to scam you?
And thanks to "Dr. James" for the grins!!
I'm off to etsy...
Till next time,
Bonjour
4 comments:
I hate that people pull this crap! I'm just glad you didn't fall for it.
Thanks for always following the Rented Cottage. I appreciate your comments. Have a restful night! Jess
Hi Terry,
Be very careful about these listings. Once you have your resume out in internet land - loads of ne'er do wells will contact you.
I have been approached to do 'administrative' duties which include paying employees in other states. Thing is...all the employees were to receive a check for the exact same amount of money and the checks were to be created by me on a program I own. When the person on the other end of the employment scheme gave me the information - no names, account numbers, or addresses were valid.
Every time I am approached, I get all the way to the actual crime...then refuse...I collect all the information I can about the person soliciting me and follow through with the actual company (Usually a UK based firm), file an official FBI complaint (http://www.ic3.gov/crimeschemes.aspx), and turn all my saved chats, emails, and recorded phone conversations over to the local police. If I stop, even one of, these people...I have saved someone from these crooks.
It's also important to understand that many of the scammers will use your information for their next target. In one situation, I was given account holder names for craigslist payment information. I contact the person whose name was provided (Because all information has to match when using a credit card) and let them know what was happening to them. They had no idea.
It's a weird world, and these types of scams are getting more and more common - not to mention better planned, and harder to see through.
Glad you weren't duped!!!! Love ya bunches!
Scary! Thanks for sharing.There are so many types of scams going on. I am afraid to work with the computer repair people. They can get into the inner workings of your computer, and have access to your every move. You never know who to trust anymore.
I get several spam emails a day like this. There's no such thing as easy money... dorks!
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