The Too-Good-To-Be-True Remote Job
You apply for a job on a major platform, or get contacted on LinkedIn. The interview is conducted entirely over text (via Telegram or Signal). You are hired instantly for a high-paying remote data entry or customer service role.
The Fake Check Ploy
The "company" tells you that you need a specific MacBook and software. They send you a check for $3,000 to purchase the equipment from their "approved vendor."
The Mechanics of the Check Bounce
- You deposit the check. Your bank credits your account within 24 hours (as required by law).
- Seeing the money in your account, you wire the funds to the "approved vendor" (who is actually the scammer).
- Two weeks later, the bank discovers the original check was forged. They remove the $3,000 from your account. You are now liable for the negative balance, and the money you wired is gone forever.
Verification Checklist for Jobs
- Check the Email Domain: Are they emailing from
@company-careers.cominstead of the real@company.com? - Interview Format: Legitimate companies do not conduct interviews exclusively via text messaging apps.
- Equipment Policy: Real companies ship you the equipment directly. They do not make you buy it with a check they provide.