Be Scam Savvy: My Brush with a Sophisticated Job Scam

 

I recently encountered a very convincing job scam that almost fooled me!

Here's what happened:

I received a text from someone claiming to be from XO Agency, a digital marketing agency, about a proofreading position, even though I wasn't actively applying. This person mentioned that she came across my profile on Indeed, which I do have. Sometimes legitimate companies or individuals do initiate contact after spotting you online. (That’s how I landed my position with the editorial agency I’m currently freelancing for. Before that opportunity came about, I’d applied for only one position with another agency, a creative staffing agency, and I hadn’t been cold-emailing or cold-calling any other company.)

The wording in the original and subsequent texts was a bit weird and awkward (here’s where my potential scam radar first went off!), but the company website and email checked out. The job description and compensation seemed realistic. The interview chat on Microsoft Team felt natural, and so did the interview questionnaire on Microsoft Forms.

The so-called agency asked for personal information, including my home address, which I refused to provide. The only contact information I submitted was my Gmail address and Google Voice number.  That way, if this job was truly a scam, I could easily filter or block the scammer.  Fortunately, the so-called agency didn’t ask me for my Social Security or bank account number, although my spidey-sense tingled a bit when it asked if I wanted to receive payment via check or direct deposit.

Major red flags:  The so-called company offered the job immediately without a phone or video call, and the real agency website itself warns against text job offers.

Lessons learned

Be cautious of unsolicited job offers, even if the company seems real. In my case, the scammer(s) impersonated a reputable company. Sadly, this is the current trend in job scams.

Legitimate companies won't ask for personal info like your home address early on. When they do, it’s typically after a phone or video call or meeting in person.

Trust your gut! If something feels off, it probably is.

Don't let this happen to you! Stay alert and be safe when searching for jobs and vetting job offers online.

PS. This experience wasn't a complete waste. It got me updating my résumé for future legit opportunities, and I can reuse my interview answers for future job applications!

PPS. I am open to legitimate employment or freelance opportunities. Here’s some info on what I have to offer.