Keep An Eye Out For Internet Scammers!
Within the past several years, I have gained several certifications in a new field of employment that I am having to enter due to a previous on the job injury that deemed I could no longer do what I have done my whole life.
I have pursued IT courses in the computer and network areas of employment by going back to school at my young age of 55. So far I have received the CompTIA A+ certification as well as the ComptTIA Network+ certification and am working on my certification for Microsoft Windows 7 Configuration.
After receiving the two CompTIA certifications, I did an updated resume and posted it to LinkedIn, Monster as well as Craigslist, in hopes of getting some prospective leads for jobs. Needless to say, the job opportunities began pouring into my email inbox! I was delighted to start with until, over a period of time, I realized that the majority of those whom where contacting me were nothing more than scammers, criminals if you will! Scams after scams I received!
They are good at what they send you as well. The email will have a legitimate logo and email address on it, and the logo will even link to a legitimate site, that one would think would verify the email and source of the email. Not true. These all still were scams..
One offer I received was very legitimate sounding, wanting me to format seven laptops, install the O/S and various other programs on them as well as clean them. I was asked to bid on the job, which I did. Next thing I get are two certified checks in the mail, via Fed Ex, that was over the amount of my bid. I was asked to deposit the checks and then to pay the person via USPS the difference so that the laptops could be delivered. Well, needless to say, I went online and check on how to tell if such checks were fake, and sure enough, they were fake, lacking certain markings, interwoven threads and such. I have those checks still sitting here on my desk. Scam again!
Another offer was for a technical assistant, pretty much the same scenario... however I received a Postal Money Order for over the amount with instructions to deposit and Western Union the difference to another. Scam!
This list goes on, but I have learned from it. First of all, never deposit such things in your bank account as they initially be accepted by your bank and your account credited. It is further down the road that you will be notified that such items were fake and you will be held responsible at that point and out a good deal of cash as well.
Take the time to research, with is very time consuming when you get a rather large volume of offerings. I have learned that simply typing the name of the email contact into a Google search will take you straight way to forums and articles about this being a fraudulent scam.
You can also Google the particular payment document such as a Postal Money Order or Cashier's check to see what to look for if it is fake.
The whole scenario will leave you gun shy without a doubt. Last week I was contacted by a legitimate person wanting work done, and I had to screen him to make sure he was not a scammer. Lucky for me, he understood and did not take it the wrong way. I went out on the call and made a few dollars and hope for some referrals.
Lastly, be sure to report any such things to the proper authorities such as the FBI and the USPS. Remember to keep any and all emails you have received from the scammer as well as the payment documents including the envelope that contained them that was sent to you, as they will need to be turned over to the authorities.
Now, I am still seeking employment, and continuing to get bogus offers and sift my way through them. Hopefully the God/Goddess of Tech will smile upon me and send me a solid lead/job, and I can stop sifting through the offers!