I’m really disappointed for almost completely falling for it. I’ve been trying so hard to find a job in this fucked up economy and when this “recruiter” reached out to me, I thought my luck was beginning to turn.
But I’m such an idiot. The rest of this experience you’re about to read is gonna be extremely lengthy and sound very cringe.
How it started was through Handshake. I applied to a job for a remote position as a Data Entry Specialist that didn’t require any prior experience and only a high school degree because I literally have nothing on my resume after graduating college.
I didn’t realize the title of the company name was not legitimate (like it was a company called “NutriData inc” the “inc” should’ve been typed as “Inc.” for professional companies). I got the offer from a recruiter with that job I applied for linked to it but they welcomed me for an interview with with a different company name called “Pacific Depot”
When I clicked the link to the job post I applied for it was gone but they wanted me to message them on Microsoft Team for an interview and provided the link.
I clicked it and we started messaging to set up a proper interview. They gave me a survey to fill out as their way of interviewing and I completed it. They asked me to log in again the next morning at a specific time. I logged in the next morning hours earlier than agreed upon but they still told me I got the job offer anyway.
I was so glad because I desperately needed insurance, which they were offering for the job description.
I accepted the offer and they started the onboarding process.
So then I was told that I would be starting this month on the 27th and that I would need to acquire the equipment needed for the job position. And they were giving a lot! A whole new laptop, iPad, desk, chair, everything! Then they asked me what bank institutions i used so they can send me the checks to purchase the items from their selected vendors. I told them and then they sent me the checks through email and I tried to deposit it in my account. The checks were placed on hold for process and would be available on the 25th, about two days before I have to be prepared to start the job
So I told them how long it would take and then they urged me to buy the items as soon as possible because two days to buy and deliver the items to my house after the checks cleared was not gonna be enough time to prepare.
Then they proceeded to ask me if I could purchase the items with my own money and that I’ll be reimbursed later with those checks incoming. I said that I only have so much of the equipment to buy with about $1000 currently in my bank (I’m bluffing because I sensed something was wrong at this moment).
They told me to use what I had and urged me to continue with the purchasing process. I agreed and then they instructed me on how they want me to buy the equipment from their “authorized affiliated vendors”.
They asked me to use a phone number given by their “affiliated vendor” and using Apple Pay send $1000.
That’s it. I set up my Apple Pay and then took a step back…. Who are these vendors anyway?
I know a vendor typically has a legitimate name and source. So I asked them “May I ask who the vendor’s I will be purchasing these equipment from?”
They paused… then replied “Company’s authorized affiliated vendors”
Yeah no sh\*t Sherlock. I asked again.
“I understand but I would like to know what is the exact name of the vendor?”
They pause again longer this time. Then a message glitch happened that replied with my name backwards and said
“His name is Scott”
Yeah this is wrong. That is not the answer I was looking for. I asked,
“I would like to know the name of the vendor Scott works for and the equipment I will be buying from him.”
They asked me “how much do I have to purchase the equipment?”
That wasn’t my request. I told them,
“As mentioned earlier, I only have about $1000 to possibly purchase a few of the items needed for this job. But before I proceed to send this, i would like to know the name of the vendors I’ll be purchasing this equipment from and what exact equipment I will be buying from them?”
They listed out three useless items, two of which was not a part of the initial list of equipment the company was going to provide for this job. It wasn’t even important equipment, it was computer specs and software. How would I use that without a pc they claimed they were going to provide? Why wouldn’t they suggest I purchase the pc first over anything else? They also gave me the same name for the vendor this time it’s “Scott Malcolm”
So then it was clear to me this job offer was completely a scam.
I shouldn’t have to ask three times for a name if it were a legitimate company with legitimate vendors.
I shouldn’t have to send my money first to an unknown number through text messages. The number they wanted me to send the money to I was curious if they were a real vendor. And since it was my money, I wanted to see if I could get confirmation from the vendor themselves about their partnership with the company I’m applied too. The person on the other end, had no idea what I was talking about and told me I have the wrong number.
I then contacted the recruiter again. Telling them how I felt about this process. I told them how I don’t feel like they answers my questions fully and I don’t feel comfortable proceeding with the purchase if they never gave me a proper name of the vendor.
They still asked me a few minutes later if I will proceed. And I eliminated the onboarding process.
And with that they finally end our wonderful conversation with,
“Okay. Thanks for wasting my time”
And me being stupid and petty replied,
“No problem. Your AI could use some improvements.”
The scammer then replied “would AI send you a check?”
A check I’m sure was gonna bounce if I had agreed to give my money to a mysterious vendor.
I then said “you may cancel that process” and report, blocked and completely ended the conversation.
This was the most embarrassing and dumbest experience of my life.