Description

I applied for a job listing sent as a recommendation by indeed.com for a remote position as an Order Entry Associate for United Elevator Company, LLC which I Googled at the time and found a real company. I later received an email from a candidate email ending in @united-elevator-company-llc.breezy-mail.com under the name Harold W. Carroll, stating I was chosen for an interview for their Data Entry Clerk position, and the company name listed for the signature was CardConnect LLC. I checked the email address and saw United Elevator Company in the address so I figured they hired through a secondary company. I was told to download an app called Telegram. Within the email was a link to contact their "recruiter" David King via Telegram, https://t.me/David_kingdesk, that could only be used after downloading the app. The interview was conducted via text chat. Basic interview questions about my skills, previous work, and what makes me right for the job were discussed. He explained what software would be used and stated that a fully programmed laptop would be provided by the company with everything I needed. A job offer was made and accepted. A work contract was sent to me from [email protected] for me to review, sign and return. The name listed as the employer on the contract was CardConnect Inc. After reviewing the contract and everything seeming normal (I didn't notice the change from LLC to Inc right away), I signed and returned it, then asked when I could expect to receive the equipment that the company was to provide. He stated I would be sent a check and then he would give me instructions on how to order what I needed from their vendor. A few minutes later a check was sent via email using OnlineCheckWriter.com under the company name Secure Transportation Co, Inc. I was instructed to print the check on plain paper then deposit it to my account. I started to feel nervous because I've never received a check like that and the names weren't matching. I started Googling the company names that were used to see if I'd been scammed. There is a company named Secure Transportation with the same logo picture, but their name does not include "Co, Inc." in the name. I called to inquire if they legitimately sent me this check. They confirmed that they have received other calls with the same question and that it was unfortunately a scam as they don't make large payments on behalf of other companies. The check was labeled Comerica Bank, so I drove to my local branch and gave them the print out of the check. I voiced my concerns that it might be a scam to the teller and explained the situation. They scanned the check and sent it to their fraud department to investigate for us. It was determined that the check was fraudulent, information was incorrect and the document was missing information. Upon confronting the "recruiter" to rescind my job acceptance and notifying them of the confirmed fraud, the entire chat was deleted. Super fun way to think I got a work from home job only to find out people suck and scams never stop.