July 18th, 2012 A New Twist to the Online Job Search Scam
Kirsten here from AllClear ID. With the country’s current economic position coupled with the fluctuating unemployment rate, people are searching and posting for jobs all over the internet. Unfortunately, as we have written before criminals have taken notice.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center reports they have “recently received over 250 complaints reporting a new twist to the online employment scam. The scam involves people who responded to online ads or were contacted via e-mail as a result of their resume being posted on job websites.
The perpetrator posed as a research company, and asked people to complete a paid survey about services provided at wire transfer locations to improve the effectiveness of the company’s money-transfer services.”
How the scam happens: Per the IC3 “Complainants were hired and then mailed a cashier’s check or money order. They received instructions to cash the check/money order at their local bank, keep a portion as payment, and wire the remaining amount via wire transfer to a designated recipient.
 Victims were then asked to immediately e-mail their employer with the transfer number, amount wired, recipient’s name and address, and the name of the wire transfer location evaluated. Upon sending the information, victims received a questionnaire form regarding their overall wire transfer experience to complete and return.
Those who did not promptly follow through with the instructions received threatening e-mails stating if they did not respond within 24 hours, their information would be forwarded to the FBI and they could face 25 years in jail.
Shortly after the transactions, victims were informed by their banks that the checks were counterfeit and were held responsible for reimbursing their banks. Most victims owed their bank over $2,500.”
Craigslist, a popular place to search and apply for jobs online, warns in its scam instructions to deal locally and/or with people you can meet in person before progressing with any transaction involving money.
If you do fall victim to any scam, contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center as your complaints can help them detect patterns of wrong-doing, and lead to investigations and prosecutions.
Views expressed are the personal views of the author, and do not represent the views of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, its employees, its members, or its clients.