SCAM ALERT
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has just been made aware of yet another recent scam....LIVINGSTON, May 6, 2024 - Scammers are lurking on social media and other job sites, posing as “recruiters” for well-known companies. But instead of looking to hire you, they’re really looking to take your money and personal information. It starts with a direct message on a job search site like Indeed or LinkedIn. The “recruiter” says you have exactly the skill set they are looking for. Next, they will email an official-looking invitation for a virtual interview along with a Job Briefing guide that gives you details about your job duties and job benefits. (Did that email come from a personal email, not a company account? That is a red flag.) After the virtual interview, you get an official-looking offer letter, complete with the company’s name and logo. But, after they offer you the job, they will push and press you for your money and personal information. You will get an invoice (it’s fake) for equipment like a computer they say that they will order for you, but then tell you that you need to pay for it — using cash, Zelle, PayPal, or through other banking apps/means. They will promise to reimburse you, but it is a scam. Or, instead, they’ll ask for your personal information, like your driver’s license info, Social Security number, or bank account number, to fill out “employment paperwork.” They want this information before they will answer your questions about the job and if you provide your personal and/or financial information, they will steal your identity. To spot these scams, know that honest employers will never ask you to pay upfront fees for a job or for equipment. They also will not ask you to pay them using cash, Zelle, PayPal or other banking apps/means. Anyone who does is a scammer. To avoid these scams, DO NOT entertain these scammers. Hang up and never give out your personal OR financial information, unless you have done your own research and due diligence. Contact the company directly using a phone number you know to be legitimate — not one that you obtained from the scam “recruiter.” Or go to the company’s website. If you can’t confirm the job is real, it could be a scam.
The FTC has resources to help you spot job scams. If you spot a scam, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. RECEIVED TODAY FROM A POLK COUNTY CITIZEN:I responded to a position posted on a reputable job board by sending a resume. These people responded, using the names of Stephanie Groth and Rich Smith, and went as far as interviewing me online and sending me an offer letter on letterhead from an email address at Hilti Group. The letterhead on the offer letter was at HILTI GROUP in Plano, TX, a reputable company, but I noticed the logo was wrong. Part of it was upside down. I am a relatively cautious person anyway, so I insisted on using TEAMS texting for the interview instead of Skype as they wanted, so that I have everything in writing. I also have their emails and email addresses. I did my homework before completing any onboarding forms with my social security number, etc., and called the Corporate Office found in Google. The man who answered at Hilti Plano confirmed that it was an online scam, and said that they are aware that these scams are happening. I am pretty annoyed. These people were very well rehearsed, and burned-up well over an hour of my time with a scam interview. They have my employment history from my resume, my name, address, telephone number, email address, DOB, but at least they do not have my social security number. I have Lifelock and Experian security on my credit and my credit files and my credit bureaus stay locked. I do that, because, as I reported to PCSO previously, Experian found someone in Houston using my social security number, and they said that my TDL is (somehow) on the dark web. I guess I just have to continue to keep a watchful eye on everything. Please put this information out on your social media to warn others. The last thing people need is to have their identity stolen, fraud committed using their name, or to have their bank account emptied because they filled out forms while onboarding in a fake position.
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