This episode of "Scammed" features Sylvia, who recounts losing $6,000 to a job scam she encountered on LinkedIn. Lured by the promise of a high-paying sales consulting job with extensive training and a potential income of $6,000-$10,000 a month, Sylvia was interviewed via Zoom and agreed to a $6,000 training fee that she was told would be deducted from her future commissions after the two-month training period.
However, two days after the interview, Sylvia discovered that the full $6,000 had been immediately withdrawn from her four credit cards. Despite contacting the supposed company and being told the onboarding was canceled and the owner would reach out, she was later contacted by the "owner" only after filing claims with her credit card companies. He insisted she cancel the claims for a full refund. Trusting them, Sylvia complied, but she never received her money back.
Now, months later, Sylvia is still $6,000 out, struggling financially with her part-time job. Her attempts to reinstate the credit card claims have been largely unsuccessful due to the scam artists targeting companies with policies making this difficult. They even threatened her with a lawsuit for reinstating the claims. Sylvia expresses her devastation, anger, and disappointment, highlighting how these scams target vulnerable individuals.
Her advice to job seekers is to thoroughly research companies online and check with the Better Business Bureau. She also warns against paying upfront for training, deeming it a clear sign of a scam. Sylvia is frustrated by the lack of support from credit card companies in resolving her situation, despite her persistent efforts. In a message to the scammers, she expresses her disgust and hopes they feel ashamed for preying on vulnerable people.
Key takeaways from Sylvia's story:
- Job scams are prevalent on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Be cautious of job postings, even on reputable platforms.
- Unsolicited job offers and immediate interview requests can be red flags. Legitimate companies usually have a more formal hiring process.
- Be wary of "interviewers" met only via video call. While common now, be extra diligent and look for inconsistencies or unprofessionalism.
- Promises of exceptionally high income with minimal experience should raise suspicion. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
- Paying upfront fees for "training" is a major red flag for job scams. Legitimate employers typically invest in training their hires.
- Scammers often pressure victims for immediate financial information. Never provide sensitive financial details during an initial interview.
- Scammers may ask for payment through unusual methods or multiple credit cards. This can make it harder to track and recover funds.
- Scammers may try to manipulate victims into canceling fraud claims by promising refunds that never materialize. Once a claim is canceled, it can be very difficult to get the credit card company to help.
- Researching a company thoroughly online and checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before applying or providing any information is crucial. Look for reviews, complaints, and the company's legitimacy.
- If a company asks you to pay for training, consider it a non-negotiable sign of a potential scam and end communication immediately.
- Recovering funds lost to scams can be extremely difficult and time-consuming. Credit card companies may have policies that limit their ability to help once a claim is withdrawn.
- Scammers often target vulnerable individuals, including those with low income, seniors, and people with disabilities who are desperately seeking employment.
- There is a perceived lack of adequate support systems for victims of online scams. Navigating the process of disputing charges and reporting scams can be frustrating and ineffective.
