Description

I was offered a position starting at $35 per hour and a decent benefits package, my assumption is they used my linked-in account to find my contact. I was initially emailed and sent a questionnaire regarding my work experience. I was then moved to the second phase of the interview process without any direct contact from a live person. Afterwards, I was then sent a link for a Microsoft Teams interview, here is the link (https://teams.live.com/l/invite/***********************) and again did not speak with a person, just a text chat where I was asked generic questions and then asked for a start date. I signed the employment letter that stated the position as HR and not Payroll Clerk – red flag number one. I continued with the training until November 21, 2025. I did give them my personal information, W4, bank deposit information on a form, and life insurance form, still all the while reading the website of the company and thinking it is legitimate. Then I received a cashier’s check along with the letter explaining the provisional check for the procurement of your work materials – flag number two. I was told via chat not to cash the check – red flag number three, and it had to stay in my account for 24 hours. This person was adamant in asking me when I was going to deposit the check. -red flag number four. I went to my bank to inquire about this cashier’s check that looks legitimate to me, and it was flagged fraudulently by my bank - red flag number five. I immediately returned to the Microsoft Teams link and sent a long note with a back and forth being told I was not to cash the cashier’s check. I should have used the ATM. I also sent the HR department or what I thought was the HR department an email stating that I was not happy with the situation and I am not interested in the position no longer. The next morning, I received a Microsoft Teams chat stating that the person received noticed I sent the chat to the HR department and it was my fault (the applicant) that I did not get the job because I did not do as they asked with the cashier’s check. The audacity of the person. My hope is that no one else will go through this as far as I have. This is not right at all.