Jun 15 min read

Great Interview, New Scam: My Recent Experience

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I recently had an interview experience that turned out to be a scam, highlighting the importance of vigilance when job hunting. This article will share my story, the red flags I encountered, the steps I took to protect myself, and advice for others to avoid similar scams. I hope this detailed account helps others stay safe and informed.

Below is the interview from screen shots from my phone during the interview.

The Interview Experience - Had me fooled as It played out normally just in a text.

I had an hour-long text-based interview on Skype with someone posing as Hayley Gordon. Despite the unusual format, the interview seemed typical initially. Due to being unemployed for six months following industry cutbacks, I was eager for any opportunity and perhaps overlooked some early warning signs.

During the interview, the interviewer was impressed with my responses and promised to get back to me the next morning. When I called back, they outlined the position, pay, and training but asked some repetitive questions. They then mentioned that I would need to purchase equipment using a provided check, which made me uneasy.

Red Flags and Realizations Set in and My Stomach Turns

The first red flag was the insistence on a text-only interview. This format made it easier for the scammer to control the conversation without revealing their identity. The second was the offer to send a check for purchasing equipment without any contract or formal documentation. The check itself looked suspicious, with obvious signs of being a printed JPEG rather than a legitimate document.

My concerns grew, and I decided to verify the legitimacy of the offer. I reached out to the actual company, Vanta Inc., through their chat service and discovered that the email and job offer were not from them. This confirmed my suspicion that it was a scam.

Here are the screen shots minus my personal info.

Consequences and Protective Measures

The potential consequences of falling for such a scam are severe. If I had deposited the fraudulent check, my bank account could have been frozen during the investigation, causing significant financial disruption. Additionally, the scammers now had my personal information, which could be used for identity theft.

Steps I Took to Protect Myself:

Contacting My Bank and Phone Company:

Reason: To inform them of the potential fraud and secure my accounts.
How to Protect and Secure Accounts: Contact your bank’s fraud department and explain the situation. Most banks have specific procedures for handling potential fraud cases. Similarly, contact your phone provider to secure your phone line against cloning.
Result: Prevents unauthorized transactions and potential financial loss, providing peace of mind and reducing stress.
Consequence of Not Acting: Scammers could clone your phone or access your bank accounts, leading to financial theft and disruption.

Changing Passwords and Security Questions:

Reason: To protect and safeguard your information from unauthorized access.
How to Protect: Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each account. Change your security questions to ones that are not easily guessable.
Result: Strengthens account security and protects personal information, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to safely continue your job search.
Consequence of Not Acting: Scammers could gain access to sensitive information, leading to identity theft.

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication:

Reason: Adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
How to Protect: Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts. This typically involves receiving a code on your phone or email in addition to your password.
Result: Makes it significantly harder for unauthorized users to access your accounts, providing additional security and peace of mind.
Consequence of Not Acting: Accounts are more vulnerable to being hacked.

Identity Protection Services is Still on the Table:

Reason: To monitor and protect against identity theft.
How to Protect: Sign up for services like LifeLock or IdentityForce, which offer monitoring and alerts for suspicious activity.
Result: Provides alerts for suspicious activity and assistance in recovery, offering comprehensive protection and reducing stress.
Consequence of Not Acting: Increased risk of identity theft and difficulty in recovering stolen identity.

Lessons Learned

This experience taught me several valuable lessons:

Insist on Face-to-Face Interviews: A legitimate employer should be willing to conduct video interviews. This helps verify the identity of the interviewer and build a more genuine connection. Text-only interviews are a red flag, as they can be easily manipulated. Video interviews allow you to observe body language and establish a more personal rapport, making it harder for scammers to deceive you.
Be Wary of Upfront Payments: Any request for upfront payments or equipment purchases should come with formal documentation and contracts. This protects both the employer and the employee by clearly outlining the terms and ensuring accountability. Without this, there's no recourse if things go wrong. Legitimate companies will have formal processes and vendor agreements in place to ensure transparency and protect all parties involved.
Verify Job Offers: Always verify the legitimacy of job offers, especially if something feels off. Contact the company directly using official contact information from their website. This helps prevent falling for scams and protects the company’s reputation. Reaching out to the company can also help them identify and shut down fraudulent schemes using their name, safeguarding their brand and other potential victims.
Protect Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information during the job application process. Providing sensitive details without verification can lead to identity theft and other forms of fraud. Always ensure you are dealing with a legitimate entity before sharing any personal information. It's crucial to use secure methods for sharing personal details and to double-check the legitimacy of the recipient.

Don't Lose Faith! Keep Trying!

If you are currently job hunting, stay vigilant. Scams are out there, and it's essential to safeguard your information. Report suspicious job offers to platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to help protect others. Despite this setback, I remain resolved to push forward and hope that sharing my experience can help others avoid similar scams.

Job hunting can be stressful, especially when faced with rejections or scams. However, staying positive and vigilant can lead to genuine opportunities. Each experience, even negative ones, teaches valuable lessons that can help you navigate future job searches more effectively. Remember, legitimate employers appreciate thoroughness and caution, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek verification.

My Final Thoughts And Resolved

Scams like this highlight the importance of being cautious and informed. While this experience was stressful, it has strengthened my resolve to continue my job search with a more discerning eye. Stay safe, be vigilant, and ensure that your job search efforts lead to legitimate opportunities.