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This content is based on victim and potential victim accounts. Government agencies and legitimate business names and phone numbers are often used by scam artists to take advantage of people.
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One 2/2/2024, I was offered an interview for a remote administrative assistant position with Anser Advisory of Santa Ana, CA by Jennifer Small via my personal email. I accepted. I online interviewed with her. On 2/8/2024, Jennifer informed me that I was chosen for a second interview via phone. The phone interview was with James Sherman (from 502-482-3588) on 2/12/2024. I was hired by James Sherman that day. One 2/20/2024, I was emailed onboarding paperwork by Jennifer Small to complete and return via email to [email protected] (including bank info for direct deposit, copy of driver's license for proof of identity, copy of utility for home office remote location, and W-4 for SSN for tax purposes, and a two page appointment letter to sign) - all of which I did on 2/21/2024. The email didn't go through, so I was told to resend it to [email protected], so I did. I was to then proceeded to "training" with Joseph Hansen from Bradenton, FL. I was able to find both Joseph and Jennifer on LinkedIn, and they do work for Anser Advisory. I was told to contact Joseph, as he was going to be my team leader. I proceeded to message Joseph Hansen via Microsoft Teams. Our first message was on 2/23/2024. I was provided with a job description, the hourly pay rate, the minimum hourly requirements, the necessary office equipment that would need to be acquired, and a training date. I was informed to purchase an iphone and ipad from Apple or Best Buy and to submit the receipts for reimbursement. I messaged Joseph for confirmation & was informed the Anser finance department was setting up my account. We were to start training on 2/27/2024 at 9 am. I went to the Apple Store on 2/25/2024 and purchased the iphone and ipad, totaling $3,500. On 2/27/2024, Via Teams, I was given an employee id number and told about a sign on bonus ($450). I was informed by Joseph of the cost of the high-end equipment that was necessary for the job, as they provided only the best for their employees and customers. Joseph shared with me the value of the software, hardware, and other items totaled $13,810.89, and the finance department will be issuing a check to cover the materials. Later on 2/27/2024, I was asked about my banking information and what my daily mobile deposit limit was via my mobile banking app and to send a screenshot. I informed Joseph that I did not have mobile banking set up. On 2/28/2024, Joseph asked me how I deposited a check. I answered with "In person at the bank." That was the last correspondence on 2/28/2024 at 10:48 am. I tried contacting other personnel within the Anser Advisory company, but I couldn't reach anyone. I then went to their physical office in Ocoee, FL (529 E. Crown Pointe Road, Suite 170, Ocoee, FL 34761) on 3/1/2024 at 4:00 pm. By 5:30 pm that day, I received an email from an actual Anser Advisory employee, Margaret Peschke, stating that this was a scam and to file a police report and FTC report. There is at least one, if not more people impersonating the Anser Advisory Recruiting team.
FL, USA- 32806
Employment
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Anser Advisory
March 7, 2024
817762
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