TPFH's Journal: Beware of Online Job Scams

I heard the author of this article titled Avoiding Online Job Scams: Critical Tips for Job Seekers earlier today and found it frightening.

Anyone looking for work needs to read this.

Brief explanation of how the scam works. The scammers put out job ads, and conduct interviews over the phone. They say that they are headquartered out of the country, and ask for direct deposit information. The scam is not stealing money from your bank account, but lower level scammers might do identity theft. The scam is to trick you into participating in wire fraud as a third party.

They tell you they need to use you as a middle man to get money out of the country. They deposit between 2 and just under 10 thousand dollars into your bank account with instructions on how to transfer it out of the country. Once you've done this congradulations, you've committed a felony. Usually the money is stolen or drug money.

While being intereviewed she said that one person contacted their bank to ask if it was legal. The bank told her it was legal and to proceed, and then called the police on her. (So I guess if you are suspicious of something like this go to the police, FTC, and/or secret service or something.)

direct deposit

[SolemnDragon]

My work only allows for direct deposit. I think i'd be more worried if i were ever required to handle money in my account on behalf of my employer- this should NEVER be a requirement. i worry sometimes about the things people fall for- that's strange and scary. Here, wire ten thousand dollars overseas for us without asking any questions.

Hmmm... but i think i'd ask the bank, too, and when the police came by i'd ask them for help as well. Hopefully, that wouldn't get me jailed. Was the person convicted? If t

Sounds like a fertile ground for investigation...

[johndiii]

The FBI ought to put a whole bunch of people to work participating in this scam. Not only do they get the bad guys' money, but they get their bank account information.