I got the same initial email on January 4th, from 2 different email addresses:
recruiter@antiguasdesign.us
Doris Williams - recruiter@antiguadesign.online
Hi (my name),
I am Doris Williams and I work as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at ANTIGUA APPAREL. I saw your details through behance.net
and I was impressed by your experience. You have a very good portfolio
overall. Here at Antigua Apparel we are always looking to grow our teams
with talented people and achieve great things together. I’d love to tell
you a little more about the opening position and learn a few things
about you, as well. Are you available? If so, I’d be happy to coordinate
via Skype (live:.cid.7934ff4100a5138c) Work Hours Or Shift:
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 5: 30 pm Salary: $35 - 90 /Hr I hope you
have a great day. Sincerely, Doris Williams
Then
a follow up email after my response:
We are currently seeking an
innovative and dedicated Graphic Designer, Illustrator, UI/UX Designer,
Product Designer, Art Director and Visual Designer, Brand Designer to
work via remote base, either part-time or full-time.
I
am available anytime between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
You can connect with me now if you are available. if not, let me know
when you will be.
Just to inform
you, Our briefing and interview session will be text-based to monitor
and appraise all sections.Your verification code is (G0015), this would
serve as your interview verification code throughout the Online hiring
process.
here is the new Skype ID: (live:.cid.7934ff4100a5138c) send me an invite when you are ready
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank
I believe this is her profile on LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-williams-617509224
Because
of the 2 different email addresses, and the fact that the domains of
the emails do not resolve correctly, I thought it could be a scam. But, I did
reach out to their Skype address and did their text interview on Friday - which seemed real. I then
filled out some forms and they sent me an email check Monday for supplies
(laptop, internet service, etc) $13,839.09 to deposit. After depositing it, I called the
issuing bank to see if the check was real, they asked me for the name of
the company, the amount, and the numbers at the bottom of the check.
They said it is indeed fake. Yikes!
My original post to Reddit got removed per their rules:
https://new.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/pi4dmp/psa_phone_numbers_and_personal_information_in/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/107tk4k/job_offer_at_antigua_apparel/
I did some research and found that there are similar fake check job scams:
22-year-old shares nightmare of getting scammed by a fake job: ‘I went from excited to devastated in a month’ - Sept 18, 2022 - CNBC
https://archive.md/SVRLf
Laid-Off Workers Are Flooded With Fake Job Offers - Jan 11, 2023 - WSJ
https://archive.md/jCXJe
What can scammers do with your bank account number?
https://www.aura.com/learn/what-can-someone-do-with-your-bank-account-number
Tuesday update:
I called my bank today to see if there is anything that I need to do to protect myself - and to make sure my account is protected. They told me that they will check with their security team and call me back.
Doris asked me to deposit a new check that is specifically meant for Bank of America. I responded that I called the issuing bank and they said that this check is not valid. I told her to send me a valid check.
2/6/23 Update: My bank took almost 30 days to notify me that the check bounced!
1/13/2023 Returned Check 91762 Maker: ANTIGUA APPAREL Return
Reason: Account Not On File Returning Bank/ABA:
FARMERS BANK/0
$13,839.09 $12,738.36
01/13/2023
Are there no systems in place to protect bank customers?
When making a mobile deposit, could there be a prompt that says "If you have any doubt on whether the check is real, call the issuing bank to see if it is valid."?
Are there no systems in place to apprehend the criminals?
Why do banks, state and federal law enforcement not have a team that handles these types of crimes?
Why does it seem that the user/customer bears most of the risk, problems and pain?
