The Red Flags that Warn You of a Scam
Someone tried to scam me and I almost fell for it. I enjoy writing and have been doing so on various platforms and my blog. In an attempt to branch out my writing, I signed up for a popular web-based platform for freelance opportunities. In this site, I can submit proposals for freelance writing jobs. Once I finished setting up my account, I began researching available openings when I came across one that read: “Blog, Copywriter, Proofreader, Editors,” with minimum requirements and entry-level experience. It was a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door and grow my portfolio, so I submitted a proposal. I received a message the next day from Heidi John inviting me to an interview. This is what the invitation looked like:
Dear Applicant,
Your portfolio published in (xx website) has been reviewed by our HR Department and we are pleased to invite you to an online interview/briefing exercise.
INTERVIEW INSTRUCTION: Google Hangout and Skype will be used for this interview. To contact Mr. Scott, set up a Google Hangout account and also download the Skype app on your computer using your email or phone number and add (macmillanpublishers319@gmail.com) Skype ID live CID.23bc09b0988b4135 for more information and interview.
I was excited and immediately began to follow the instructions. I already have a G-mail and a Skype account but, I felt compelled to open a new one of each, and since I always follow my intuition I did. After I opened my new accounts, I returned to the message to continue with the follow-up instructions. I didn’t want to contact him through Skype because I wasn’t sure that it would be an immediate interview. I thought it might be a “when’s the best time” type of conversation for a future date.
First Red Flag — A Gmail Account
When adding his email to Google Hangout I noticed that it was a Gmail (macmillanpublishers319@gmail.com) account. That was the first red flag. Companies usually have a domain and company emails, not a generic Gmail account. However, he is using Macmillan Publishers, which is a very-well known publishing company. Let me see what this is all about, I thought and continued. Once I finished adding his name to Google Hangout I hesitated a moment before sending the invite. My instinct told me something was not right but I decided to continue. In the Hangout message, I presented myself as a potential candidate for the position available and my availability for an interview. He responded immediately but his screen name brought up another red flag.
Second Red Flag — Spelling of Hangout User Name
His user name seemed odd to me. Macmillan Publisher was spelled with a double “r” (Macmillan Publisherr). Before I had time to react, he was online and presented himself as one of the Directors of Macmillan Education who goes by the name of Mr. Scott Diéguez. He was very polite and knowledgeable about the company (then again anybody can look up a company with a quick Google search). His manners, words, and writing were professional — which I expected coming from a publishing company. He didn’t miss a step and spoke about the company, location, the position available, requirements, and explained the interview process. He added the company’s guidelines under the HR Laws and Regulations, the company’s style requirements, copyright and privacy laws, and on-line training which would be paid training. Afterward, the interview began. The questions were the regular ones asked by any hiring director, so I did not see any odd signs — other than it is through the Google Hangout. There was a small writing test. He asked 10 questions which I was to answer as a story. It made sense, after all, it’s a writing position. It’s a good thing I am very limited to what I say when asked to talk about myself if it’s not a face-to-face interview. The second set of questions were related to how many hours I wanted to work, was I currently employed, how much was I looking to make per hour, could I work more than 30 hours, do I prefer check or direct deposit, which institution do I bank with?
Third Red Flag — Asking for a banking institution
Wait, what? Why does he need to know what institution I bank with? I didn’t tell him who I banked with but I did respond that I thought it was irrelevant at this point since I wasn’t hired yet. He responded it was to see if it tallies financially with the company’s official salary payment account and added to not worry about it right now. According to him, they needed to review my answers before making a decision and asked me to stand by for the next 25 minutes.
While I waited, I began to research Macmillan Publishers. It is indeed a real company and everything he said about it — history, location, description of positions, etc — seemed legit. The 25 minutes went by too fast but I asked my husband to continue researching for scams related to Macmillan Publishers. Even though I suspected it to be one, I continued the process. I wanted to see how far he would go. I logged back onto Google Hangouts and he was ready with the decision.
“Congratulations and welcome to the Macmillan Publishers team. You will receive an agreement letter email with all the details. We will pay you $$ per hour with a 90-day reevaluation and a potential increase.”
Fourth Red Flag — You’re Willing to Pay Me More than What I Asked For?
Hmmm, let me get this straight. I asked for a certain pay rate per hour and he offers me $18 MORE with a potential increase of $5 at the 90-day evaluation period? I’ve never heard of that before. I haven’t had many jobs or interviews but no one has ever offered me more than what I’ve asked for. Most offers have been less than my asking — hence why I ask for more and most likely everyone else does too. Oh wait, but it gets better. There are certain things I’m required to have. For instance, I will need “some” data entry software to keep a record, a MacBook Pro (Intel Core i7 1.2GHz Processor 256GM storage), an HP Jet Laser and printer, MS Office Word and Excel software, Microsoft SQL Server Business Intelligence, Peachtree Complete Accounting Software, Quickbooks Enterprise Solution version 13.6 and Time Tracker.
Fifth Red Flad — Equipment needed
Why would I need a MacBook Pro to write? I’ve worked with both, PC and MacBook. They can both hold MS Office software so what one can do the other can too. Regarding Excel, if I’m being hired to write why do I need Excel? Why a printer? If I’m working remotely there should be no need for me to print anything and I believe it’s laserjet, not “jet laser.” I’m not sure about Microsoft SQL Server Business Intelligence because I don’t even know what’s it for. Peachtree Complete Accounting Software and Quickbooks Enterprise Solutions are used for the same purpose. I don’t see the need for both. And Time Tracker can be added to Quickbooks as an app, as well as tracking my time can be done through Quickbooks. But it gets better.
“Do you have all that equipment or the funds to purchase them?” he asked.
I wasn’t going to give this stranger details about what equipment or funds I have, so I responded, “No, I don’t.”
He followed up with, “the funds for the software will be provided to you by the company as a written check or via an external funds transfer. I will refer you to one of the company’s certified associate/retailer whom you are to purchase the working materials from at a discount rate due to the company’s long-lasting relationship and agreement with them. The retailer will be responsible for making the installations of the software with the required updates and patches before shipping them to you. Do you have your bank’s mobile app? I can ask for an E-check to be sent for you to make a mobile deposit.”
“Yes, I have my bank’s mobile app, why? Also, does this mean the money will be debited through payroll for me to repay it to Macmillan? I asked.
“No, this is free. We provide it to all our employees. You are not required to pay it back even after termination of the contract,” he stated.
Sixth Red Flag — Free money for me to buy a MacPro and software?
This is a first for me! An employer providing a brand new Macbook Pro and software to employees with the best part of all — you get to keep it even if you leave the company or are fired! Wow, what nice people! The best company ever to work for! Hahaha, I was now feeling a bit annoyed. I hope no one has ever fallen for this scam. I was about to pull the trigger on this one. But I thought this would make a good story to share and so I continued.
“We will send you an employment letter. Once you sign and return it we’ll send you the e-check,” he wrote.
I received an employment letter that looked legitimate. It included the company logo, job description, pay rate, working conditions, etc. — everything we usually see in an employment letter. He urged me to sign the letter so he can release the check. I printed the letter and that’s when we noticed the blurred logo images, no apparent hiring director signature, and tons of other mistakes. I scribbled something which I, myself, could not understand and emailed the employment letter back to him. He wanted me to upload a copy to the Gmail Hangout. Sure, no problem. I’ll upload your bogus letter with my bogus signature and so I did.
Seventh Red Flag — He Doesn’t Even Know What an E-check Looks Like
I had to laugh. He sent me an image of both sides of a personal check from JP Morgan Chase Bank for $2,300. It was clear that he had altered the payee and printed “Macmillan” almost overlapping the address. He altered the recipient’s name to put in my name, as well as the amount. You can see it in the image I provided. I’m not sure but I think he was in a vehicle at the time he took the check’s snapshot too. Then he asked that I cut the check out as an original, sign it, and deposit it via my bank’s app. (I have blurred out the account number, signature, and address for the victim’s privacy).
As an accountant, I was not going to fall for it. I let him know that I needed to verify the check with the bank. Therefore, I would need until the next day to deposit it.
His response was, “Debbie, just deposit the check, the funds will be available tomorrow morning.”
“No, it’s not going to happen. I can’t do that.” I replied.
“Okay,” he responded and I heard nothing else from him.
Moral of this story
It is sad this is happening in a job search platform. A scam anywhere and in any way is not right. Preying on innocent people — especially during a difficult time as now — is unacceptable.
Always be on the lookout and learn what to search for to avoid falling into the hands of a scammer. I don’t know what his ulterior motive was or what he would have gained from me cashing that check. Most likely it would have been returned as NSF (non-sufficient funds) and had I paid for the “supposed” equipment, I would have lost $2,300. Always follow your intuition and trust those red flags. I’m glad I trusted my intuition.
