So I’ve been looking for a new source of work to replace what used to be a steady second-job/freelancing role I was in for at least a decade. While the traditional route of a part-time position has been a whole lot of ghosting at best and simple auto-rejections at worst, I was not expecting that contracting platforms would now be targeted for scams as well.

My “victim” experience started innocently enough responding to a job posting looking for a long-term contract writer that would turn into a regular position if things worked out well. I don’t typically hold out hope for these; I’ve yet to know anyone actually hired on through a contractor/freelancer role as most companies and employers like not having to pay employee taxes in addition to the cost of labor when they can get it via freelancing hires.

Getting Connected Can Mean Picking Up the Wrong Attention

So, like I typically do, I sent out a batch of “bids,” jotted down on a tracking sheet which ones I responded to, and sat back and waited. Interestingly, one responded the next day (red flag #1, good jobs never gut hire within 24 hours), and they indicated they wanted to do an interview process for fit on Microsoft Teams. Now, prior to COVID, my hackles might go up, but since then, hiring via online meetings has been extremely common. I responded positively and connected on Teams. The interview was never voice or video though, it was just a serious of questions about what PC equipment I had, and can I do the job tasks and have the relevant experience (this was after I had already sent them my resume). So, I responded with a question as to whether they read my resume (red flag #2). There was a 5 minute lull and then the conversation moved onto I needed to do an assessment online. Okay, no problem, test away.

The assessment was a simply batch of questions basically asking me the same thing as was asked in the interview already (red flag #3). Then I get the instructions from the interviewer that they would consider the answers and get back to me the next day. So, the next morning I see another ping on Teams, and I’ve passed. They’ve now sent me a offer letter to sign to start things with HR. I scan the letter and here’s where things get interesting.

Google is Your Friend, Honest

The letterhead was with a bona fide company. It checked out, with the address, and had a real presence. It also showed up as an active business on Google Maps. So, at this point I’m thinking odd, but so far things still look viable. Now the HR side is pinging me on Teams and wants to set things up from training. I’m supposed to be trained online for 3 days before starting work. Oh boy. So, they ask me if I have the requisite PC specs. Nope, I don’t use Apple, I use Linux. They respond, no problem, we will send you a check ($2,500) and you will buy the Apple laptop from our chosen vendor loaded with the company software. Again, post-COVID this doesn’t seem abnormal. We’ve even done with our own contractors at my day work, but we provided them the working PC outright.

So, they send me the $2,500 check and ask for immediate confirmation of deposit. Oh? In the meantime, I check out the “special” vendor; hey, it’s the same street address of the business. Now I zoom in on Google Maps street view — the building has a vacant rent sign on it. Uh oh. At the same time, my bank has notified me the check they sent will be held for 5 days for clearing. I see.

I Actually Lived in Africa Once…

I tell the HR office this on Teams. “Well, you need to buy the equipment right away, and then you can just keep the money on the check when it clears.” My response, at this point is borderline sarcastic — “Are you familiar with the Nigerian check scam play? Because I am, and this whole hiring stinks of it. So let’s be honest up front and cut the bull.” After a bit more tit and tat, the Teams HR person fesses up. It’s a scam. They’re just trying to get easy money. Please don’t be mad and can you just send $70? Uh…no.

The most annoying part about this experience is that I was genuinely led on for a bit because I really wanted to get hired again. My skeptic attitude saved my bank account and wallet, but how many other folks have been ripped off with a similar approach? There’s a lot of people looking for work these days, and this kind of bullshit throws salt on the wound when it’s successful. The money amount is too small for law enforcement to do much of anything about it, and even the companies who are used as fake fronts are annoyed but helpless to stop the problem.

So, now I’m twice as grumpy with so-called recruitment and reach-out contacts, which probably won’t help my positive reception in getting hired. And I’m still not hired…

This article was originally published on Medium on 8/17/24.