Kirstin, who had recently completed a medical procedure and left a review for the doctor's office, was contacted about a week later by a company called "Ultimate Evaluations" offering her a position on their "evaluation team." The timing felt right, making the offer seem legitimate. The company's website initially asked for her bank name, which Kirstin was hesitant to provide before being hired.
She then received an email stating she was hired, followed by another mentioning a payment and an "information packet." This packet arrived via mail, strangely delivered to her backyard in a flat envelope from "Gillette Brewing Company" (a legitimate brewery whose name was being misused). Inside was a printed letter from Ultimate Evaluations with instructions and a check for $4,800 from the University of Texas, drawn on a bank they don't use.
The instructions directed her to deposit the check, withdraw $4,000 in cash, keep $800 for her time, and purchase four postal money orders of $1,000 each at her nearest postal retailer. She was then instructed to text a "batch editor" at one phone number after withdrawing the cash and another number after buying the money orders. Her husband noticed the two phone numbers had different area codes (New York and Tennessee), adding to the suspicion. The postage on the envelope originated from Las Vegas but was printed to appear as if it came from Wyoming, creating a multi-state web of deception.
Kirstin, already suspicious due to the unusual delivery and instructions, contacted the University of Texas' accounting fraud department, who confirmed the check was fraudulent and not one of theirs. She also contacted the postal service to report the potential mail fraud. Ultimately, Kirstin never deposited the check or sent any money, recognizing the scam before losing any funds.
Key takeaways:
- Scammers often use legitimate-sounding company names and fabricate scenarios to appear credible. The "Ultimate Evaluations" name and the initial connection to a real medical review added a layer of believability.
- Unsolicited job offers, especially those arriving shortly after unrelated online activity (like a review), should be treated with caution. The timing in this case was a deliberate tactic by the scammers.
- Receiving a check for work before actually performing any work is a major red flag for a scam. Legitimate employers pay after services are rendered.
- Instructions to deposit a check and then send a significant portion of the funds elsewhere are a classic sign of a fake check scam. The scam relies on the victim sending their own good money before the fraudulent check bounces.
- Inconsistencies in communication and delivery methods (e.g., a check from a university delivered in a brewery envelope with mismatched postage origins) are strong indicators of fraud. Pay close attention to these details.
- Different contact phone numbers for different stages of the "job" or transaction should raise suspicion. Legitimate companies typically have consistent contact information.
- Contacting the issuing institution (in this case, the University of Texas) directly to verify the legitimacy of a check is a crucial step in identifying fraud.
- Reporting potential mail fraud to the postal service is important, as scammers often utilize the mail system.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels "too weird" or doesn't make sense, it's likely a scam.
- Never feel pressured to act quickly, especially when money is involved. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prevent victims from thinking clearly.
- Sharing your experiences and reporting scams to organizations like the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker can help warn others.
- Be wary of "money for nothing" opportunities. Legitimate work requires effort; large upfront payments for minimal tasks are almost always scams.
- Legitimate companies typically conduct interviews and have a more formal hiring process. The lack of a real interview in many job scams is a significant red flag.
- Verify company information independently. Don't rely solely on the information provided by the potential "employer."
