Description

Received a text message on Saturday from somebody claiming to be from VXI Global Solutions, LLC about a Data Entry/Admin Assistant job paying $25 an hour, and asking if I was still interested in the position. I didn't recognize the company name, but I had applied for similar jobs in the past, so I didn't think much of it. I replied "yes" and asked for further details, but the individual immediately directed me to speak with the hiring manager via an App called Telegram. I didn't know what the app was and thought it to be similar to Skype or some other video messaging app. Again, seemed unusual, but nothing jumped out at me yet. We spoke for a few minutes, answering what seemed to be standard interview questions, and then was told to wait until Monday for the final hiring decision. I was contacted again Monday, was told they accepted me, and that they would be overnighting me a check for the supplies I'll need to perform the job, including a Mac Book and assorted hardware and software that will be purchased through a supplier they designated. I was to deposit the check in my account, and send them a receipt of deposit with my info blacked out, for "records". I replied that I understood the instructions, but now I started to suspect something, particularly when said individual was persistent in finding out if I deposited the check the following day. The check arrived on Tuesday, after work, but when I saw that the check was for nearly $5,000 and was from a random bakery in Chicago, sent via FedEx from an address and business in Texas, I held onto the check and contacted both my bank and the bank listed on the check the following morning. After speaking with both, we deduced that the check was likely fraudulent and I was advised to disregard it and report my experiences. After reading through some of the scams listed on this site, I found that other individuals had almost identical experiences to mine. Thankfully, I never deposited the check or gave out