Online Employment SCAMS & FRAUDS

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Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening fellow members,

Most of you are here in this platform to make some money, and that's absolutely fine! All of you might've heard of this website called Freelancer. You heard that right, Freelancer!

A couple of days back, I was searching for jobs in this website as a Freelancer and some random guy approached me saying that "Your profile has been reviewed and you're a perfect fit for this job". Now, I was so excited to hear this and I blindly walked into the "MOUSE TRAP".

So, what happened next?

They told me to invite them on Google Hangouts and then I was interviewed for about 15-20 minutes by the hiring manager. Everything went quite well, and in the end, the hiring manager said "Congratulations! After taking a close review at the answers you've provided, you have been selected for the job as a Data Entry Clerk".

The Checks

After 2-3 days, they got back to me and they said that they would be sending me a check via Gmail. I received the check, took a printout, signed it, and then deposited it though my mobile banking app. The check is worth $950.00.

The reason why they had sent me the check in the first place is to purchase some work materials required for the job. This includes, expensive software, printer, and some other work supplies like you have at you're office.

The money was available in my bank account and I sent the funds to the vendor of their company.

The Twist...

I'm being honest with you guys here, my personal money that I had in the bank was about $375. something cents. I made the payment to the vendor, and the people from this FRAUD company, stopped the payment of the check.

The next day, I got an email from my bank saying that my balance went to a whooping negative $610.00.

I was so shocked to see that email! I logged into my bank account immediately and found out that the payment of the check has been stopped; in other words, the company did not release the payment in the first place.

Result

I went to college and hoped that everything would be back to normal. Last night, I was working with my bank for 2.5 hours and trying to get back the money from the idiotic SCAMMMERS!!!

This morning, have of my money was returned and I'll be getting all the lost money to my account by the end of the day. This is really a rough time for me because I've never experienced something like this ever in my life, and it's a lot to take in for an 18-year old.

The Moral

Guys, please trust me on this, okay? Never look for online jobs! Conduct the necessary research and then decide what's best for you. You definitely don't want to walk in the same trap as I did. AVOID IT!!!

If you're an individual who is looking for jobs at Freelancer, make sure that the person verifies their email, phone number, makes a deposit, and finishes up with other formalities.

Not just Freelancer, this is something which is for any job searching platform. This covers platforms like Glassador, Indeed, and thousands of other websites.

When they mention the salary that they are going to pay, it'll tempt you at first to apply for them, but try to see if they are verified hiring people. If not, avoid them!!!

Thank you for taking you're precious time in reading this post. If you have any questions, leave them below and I'll get back to you ASAP!!!

Ani2001 :)

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Recent Comments

26

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing your story, so that others can benefit from the knowledge you've gained from this experience. Preying on those who are wanting a greater opportunity is soooooo UNCOOL!
I'm glad you're ok tho :)
I'm following you now :) thank you for being here.
All the best,
Stephanie

It's okay :)

In a way, this has taught be something good because I'm never going to trust online employment again. The safest way to make money online is with reputable websites or to build your own website by utilizing a platform like Wealthy Affiliate.

Thank you for the feedback Stephanie, I really appreciate it!

Ani

I feel really sorry for you Ani it been a bad experience for you at the same time is a lesson for you all of us here and really appreciate you share this with us.

welcome back again to WA, and good luck for your journey here

Yes, it has been a bad experience as well as a good experience. The reason why I say that this is a good experience is because, I get to learn an amazing lesson from this mistake which I've committed.

There are somethings which your parents can teach, and you just need to learn somethings by making mistakes.

Thanks a lot and I wish you the same!

Ani

The lessons you have learned are valuable. They are valuable not just to you, but to the whole community. You have something to be thankful for: it was only $950.00 and you were fortunate enough to get that back. There other scammers out there that deal in millions of dollars and you don't get the money back!

Excellent post!

Yep!

I actually didn't know that they even do that for millions. Some should put a stop to this NONSENSE!!! This isn't fair.

Thanks a lot for your comment sir :)

Ani

Your right Ani it isnt fair. Scammers will always find a loophole. It is so sad. That's why sharing this kind of stuff can help us all to at least avoid it.

Be double vigilant now as you will be open to more fraud they have your details. I.E. Cell number email address. etc.

Make sure you redo all your passwords on anything you have like banking apps etc. That way you stay extra safe at all time. I always use a three step process.

On one of my emails I get a notification that someone is attempting to login.

I don't use it so it doesnt bother me but it just goes to show they will go at any lengths to get anything they want. Reset all your passwords and make the passwords difficult for them to break.

I'll work on tightening my bank security and activate the 2-step process (forget the exact term).

Thanks for sharing the tip, I'll do that right way

Ani :)

be very careful because there are many scammers who wants to took your money any time.

I will definitely take your point into consideration.

Thank you very much Merven :)

Ani

I'm really sorry you went through that :( but I'm glad you shared it within our wonderful WA community; thanks for looking out for us!

I hope this is all resolved soon. Keep us posted and good luck in your job search.

Best of luck on your journey to success!

It is my duty to share with you guys so that you won't walk into the same trip as I did.

I'll keep blogging here and share all my personal experiences that I've encountered in this amazing journey that I had so far.

Thank you and I wish you the same!!!

Ani

HI,
I absolutely hate scammers. My poor dear old Dad was scammed. They threatened the police everything. He called me up he is 3 and half hours drive from me. Whilst he was on the phone to the scammers the police were actually outside my Dads house on another matter.

I told my Dad to put the scammers on hold on his land line. I told him to go outside to the police.

He went out side I spoke to the police myself via my Dads mobile they went straight back indoors with my Dad told the scammers it was the police. The scammers hung up obviously.

The police checked my Dads computer etc told him what to do and how to contact the fraud squad. They were brilliant. The police officer then called me up from North Yorkshire to myself in London.

They told me my Dad was fine and he can contact the police if it happens again and they will be there immediately to assist him. The police were brilliant. They didnt have to call my but I thought it was lovely they did to let me know my Dad was fine.


These scammers get away with it and unlucky for them this time they weren't getting you. I am so happy you are sorting it out. So many people don't and end up loosing thousands.


It's always great to share this kind of thing so we can all be aware of it. Thank you Ani and by the way it's great to see you back. (Even though we didn't quite hit it off in the beginning. )

I am so happy you are getting your money back being a student is hard enough and I hate those kind of people who try and steal anyone's money and even a young man like yourself.

Take care and thank you for the post. I shall be watching out for these. Oh and sorry for the long comment lol.

Debs :)

Doesn't matter if the comment is an essay or one word.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your dad might've found it quite painful because at that age, it's hard to cope up with things, you know?

He must've felt the pressure, tension, and all sorts of emotions going on at that time.

So sorry to hear that. I'm indeed very lucky!

Thank you,
Ani

He did bless him The only other terrible thing is once these scammers get you they sell on your information. As he is nearly 80 years old they try again and again. He is quite computer savvy for an old boy so I am proud of him for that.

Just wished I was closer to him. I tell him to watch the YouTube videos so he can learn how to beat these scammers. There are some good videos that can help us stay safe. Anyways have a fabulous day Anirudh. :) So happy you sorted it!

Ask your dad if he can join us here at Wealthy Affiliate!

An 18-year old young man working with a 80-year old techy person! It would be an amazing combination!!!

Yes, indeed. Most of the bloggers have written stuff on their website on SPAM, and YouTube is a wonderful platform as well.

Have a nice day ahead!

Ani

Lol I will bless ya. :)

Hi Debs

This story of your father is truly a horrible experience; How come an individual fails to build him self to earn for his living and instead to start wanting to steal your hard earned money. that is too cruel

I wish all the best for your father bu now

regards
Mukta

That's an amazing point that you've made.

People don't fellow sympathy and empathy anymore. They just want to fool other people, but they don't realize that they are doing something terrible.

They just want to carry on with whatever pops in their STUPID brain!!!

Ani

People don't show* sympathy and empathy anymore.

I apologize for the grammatical mistakes.

Hi, Yes it was but luckily they couldnt get to his money. There are so many old people that get scammed and the thing is they dont really tell anyone some of them.

These scammers are very forceful and manipulative and can become abusive and nasty. Thank fully my Dad was ok Bless him.
Thank you for caring. I appreciate that.
Debs :)

Hi - when I first became a freelance writer, many years ago, I worked at Freelancer.com for a while, to gain experience. The best way to avoid being scammed, is as you say, is to check the potential employer has verified their account and preferably, has reviews from clients.

Thank you for mentioning about that.

I've actually noticed that the people who offer writing jobs, always verify their details; however, they don't do so for other jobs like Data Entry and stuff.

Most of the writing jobs that are being offered at Freelancer are trustworthy.

Again, thanks for mentioning about that! :)

Ani

I'm glad to read that you're getting ALL of your money back; many who are scammed like you were don't have that luxury.

As a point of note though, not all jobs on the internet are scams; you just need to be a little more vigilant.

A new employer sending you funds to buy computer software, printers, etc isn't something you won't see - sending it by check and not making sure the funds clear is definitely something to do.

Yes, I'm a 50ish year old ex-bank manager and am quite financially literate but these are some of the things I think they should be teaching our college students who are looking to find a part time job all the while getting an education.

Don't forget, when it's too shiny to be true; it usually is!

Happy once again that you got all your funds back and that this was a learning life experience that only cost time and a bit of exasperation without any loss of funds.

Your absolutely right!

I'm really lucky that I'm getting all my money back, that's actually the best part of it!

It was definitely a learning experience for a guy of my age because I've never faced anything like this before.

Thanks a lot for taking your time in providing with the valid points, I really appreciate it.

Best,
Ani

I appreciate that time you've taken to comment, but your comment is not related to what this blog is about.

I see that you're a new member. You can post this thing on your profile description in this platform.

Thank you,
Ani

Hi everyone, I joined this platform to make the difference in the work through you, you are all educated and I telectuals. We all need to support each other to make the world peacful place to live. Money comes and goes but peace is priceless gift. Lets distribute this gift from individual to individual and I firmly believe that one day our world will become peaceful.

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