Description

I received a "job lead" from one of several work from home (wfh) Facebook groups I'm a part of, for a "chat/email customer service" agent with a $500 sign on bonus. I was provided a MS Teams link to communicate with the APPEN USA Hiring Team once I'd finished applying for this job. I really thought I'd done my due diligence up front by researching the website, the HR representative's name provided to me (Carla Gutierrez), and even found this person's linked in profile. I applied for this job directly from the AppenUSA website, and proceeded to have my "interview" via MS Teams (which I didn't immediately question, as this was for a chat position), and after answering about 10 "interview" questions which was approximately 2 hours long, I was told I did very well, and I'd be receiving an offer letter via email, and once I'd read over the offer letter to respond back to Carla Gutierrez, HR Manager, via Teams, to confirm receipt and whether I accepted the offer. I accepted the offer, digitally signed the offer, and followed up via MS Teams as requested. I was then given access to my employee portal/dashboard where I completed onboarding, including my bank details for direct deposit, and my SSN for background check. The background check came back approved (I wasn't worried), all onboarding complete, and then to proceed, I was informed of 3 **recommended** courses from APPEN USA ACADEMY (customer service, how to handle irate customers, chat etiquette), each with a fee! When I questioned this, I was told I would need to complete at least 1 of the "recommended" courses to proceed. I was unable to reach anyone to discuss this further at any of the email addresses I'd previously been provided: [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected], nor was I able to reach anyone by phone at the ph# 800.674.3271 listed right on the website (not a working number), or the ph# listed on the offer letter, 808.201.3262 (ai robot to leave a call back number). After spending $35.99 for literally NO course, just common sense question/answers to get a certificate, I was then advised to reach out to an individual by name, from IT who would guide me further regarding my equipment that would be shipped. I quickly learned I'd need to pay for the software that would be loaded on the company provided computer (??? HUH???), but it'd be 100% refundable as soon as I uploaded my receipt/proof of purchase, and would be deposited into my bank account within 1-2 days. The software was $200!!! This is when ALL KINDS OF RED FLAGS were popping up, but I KNEW this was all a scam when the $200 was requested to be paid via BITCOIN!!! Credit Card and Debit Card payments were conveniently down at the time, so bitcoin was the requested payment so my equipment could be shipped! This is when I stopped. I've had to dispute the $35.99 I spent for the bogus customer service course, I've had to contact my bank since they have my account number, and now this! They need to be investigated!