Description

I was approached via email about a data entry job I'd applied for on LinkedIn. I was not given the company website, I found that through online searches - which is what led me to believe the job was real. I had already completed the onboarding process of sending my SSN and Driver's License information with I9 and W4 forms (which also somehow made this feel more legit) when they stated that they were going to send me a check to procure a laptop and the programs I'd need for the job. I asked why they wouldn't just send the pre-loaded equipment to me or send me product keys so I could use them on my own desktop and they said this was company policy. When they sent the check, it didn't have any account holder info except the account and routing numbers at the bottom. I've attached the files they sent me. This was the red flag that caught my attention. I spoke with the issuing bank, trying to verify if this account belonged to who I was led to believe it belonged to. She said they couldn't give that info to a non-member. However, she advised me request a letter on bank letterhead verifying the routing number, account number, business name and who the signatory on the account is. I did so, telling my contact that my bank requested this information before they'd deposit the check into my account. I never heard from her again. I never tried to deposit the check because it sent my hackles up so much. Unfortunately, I'd already sent my SSN and Driver's License info to them before I realized this was not legitimate. The check they sent had the following routing number: 121000358 and account number: 325022902858 on it.