Today, I encountered a sophisticated employment scam, and I want to share this experience to help others recognize and avoid similar situations. These scams are often phishing scams, designed to steal your personal information like bank account details, addresses, and Social Security numbers.
Below, I’ve included the entire interaction – exactly as it happened – starting with the initial text message. The majority of our communication took place on Google Hangouts, as requested by the scammer in their initial text.
From the outset, I was suspicious, having encountered scams before. I decided to play along to gather more information about their tactics.
Notice how I repeatedly asked for a direct phone number and contact information for their specific office, including an extension. These requests were either ignored or met with vague, unhelpful responses.
They found my phone number on my Indeed.com profile and initiated contact via text message.
Initial Text Message (Received from 915-263-8940):
“Good day,
In regard of your resume on INDEED for the Customer Service/Data Entry has been reviewed and you are qualified for a job interview for the position. I want you to setup a Google Hangout and if you have one, add Mr David Becksman the Hiring Manager and IM his on his ID Hangout ([email protected] ) ASAP for the interview and job briefing following our newest online screening introduced, the interview session will commence online.
To Contact our Hiring Manager
Name: David Becksman
Google hangout: [email protected]
Company Name: Luxottica
Time: ASAP
Best of luck,
Human Resources Department.”
Red Flags: Spotting the Scam
Several things immediately raised suspicion and acted as job scam warning signs:
- Generic Email Address: The use of a FREE email server like @gmail.com (or @outlook.com, etc.) for official company communication is a major red flag. Legitimate companies almost always use their own domain for email addresses.
- Unsolicited Contact: The text message mentioned my “resume on Indeed.com.” I did not directly apply for this position; they found my profile and reached out. While recruiters do proactively contact candidates, unsolicited job offers, especially via text and with urgent interview requests, should be approached with caution. This is a common tactic in online job scams.
- Poor Grammar and Unprofessional Language: The text message and subsequent communications contained grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. Professional companies typically have polished and error-free communication.
- VOIP Phone Number: A quick search of the phone number https://www.411.com/phone/1-915-263-8940 revealed it to be a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) number, categorized as “non-fixed.” VOIP numbers are easily obtainable and disposable, making them difficult to trace and often used in scams. While not all VOIP numbers are scams, it’s another factor to consider.
The Google Hangouts “Interview” – A Play-by-Play
Here’s the conversation on Google Hangouts (again, verbatim):
David (scammer): “Hello
My name is Mr David Becksman the Hiring Manager of Luxottica. Am here to brief you more about the job/interview and will also like to know if you are ready for your interview?”
ME: “Hi David. Sure!”
David: “It’s nice connecting with you. Just follow the briefing and interview, you can ask questions when I am through and I will be glad to answer them. Let me tell you about the company you would be working for. Respond with an okay after each paragraph so I know you have read and understood okay”
ME: “ok!”
David: “Luxottica is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. Its portfolio includes proprietary brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Vogue Eyewear, Persol, Oliver Peoples and Alain Mikli, as well as licensed brands including Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Bulgari, Chanel, Coach, Dolce&Gabbana, Ferrari, Michael Kors, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Valentino and Versace.
Luxottica’s international expansion has developed its geographic footprint worldwide. The Group’s global wholesale distribution network covers more than 150 countries across five continents and is complemented by an extensive retail network of approximately 9,100 stores, with LensCrafters and Pearle Vision in North America, OPSM and Laubman & Pank in Australia and New Zealand, Spectacle Hut in Singapore, GMO and Óticas Carol in Latin America, Salmoiraghi&Viganò in Italy and Sunglass Hut worldwide.
One of the Group’s competitive advantages is the vertically integrated business model built over the years, covering the entire value chain: design, product development, manufacturing, logistics and distribution.
Product design, development and manufacturing take place in Luxottica’s six manufacturing facilities located in Italy, three facilities in China, one in Brazil and one facility in the United States devoted to sports and performance eyewear. Luxottica also has two small plants in Japan and India serving the local market.
Luxottica also has produced sun and ophthalmic lenses for more than 20 years. The Company has increased its manufacturing capacity with the recent addition of three new laboratories in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific which are completely integrated with its logistics hubs.”
ME: “Ok”
Note: The scammer provided an excessive amount of information about Luxottica, much of it accurate, likely to build credibility. This is a common tactic in job interview scams.
David: “This is strictly online and works from home job for now and you can as well work from anywhere of your choice or anytime that does suit you. You can choose to work during Morning, Afternoon and even during the evening. The pay rate is $25 per hour while training is $15 per hour and will be getting paid weekly or bi-weekly via check, or direct deposit. let me know if you are interested so we can proceed.”
Note: Offering a high hourly rate for a remote, flexible position is another lure. The mention of direct deposit is also a setup for requesting banking information later.
ME: “Sounds great!
One question though: If you work with Luxottica, why the @gmail.com domain?”
David: “We can’t use google hangout with the company email”
Note: This is a blatant lie. Google Hangouts (now Google Chat) can be used with business email addresses. This was a key moment confirming the scam.
ME: “Actually, you could; I used my outlook.com email with Hangout; they sent me a validation code to type in to register this account.
You would be able to do the same with your company email address.”
David (scammer): “We couldn’t”
ME: “Odd; ok.”
David: “KNOWLEDGE: Clerical/Administrative, English Language, Customer and Personal Service
Abilities: Information Ordering, Written Comprehension, Category Flexibility, Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression, and Written Expression.
hope you posses the above listed?”
ME: “Yes. Is it customer service via telephone, or VOIP?”
David: “Via telephone. The Positions currently available are :,Customer Service Rep, Data Entry. Which are you applying for?”
ME: “I would be interested in both, but I would say data entry for now.”
David: “Data Entry:
Main duties and responsibilities is to enter data into computers. This data may be text and numbers. It may relate to customers, suppliers and manufacturers and may be scientific, technical, financial or sales-based. The computer system dictates the way the worker enters the data. The system requires data to be in a specific format so it can produce material such as invoices and analytical reports. Can you handle that ?”
ME: “Yes”
David: “Note: You will be trained by one of the company supervisors that will be attached to you On-line. My supervisors will reach you via e-mail or phone for your position offer-documents and your working papers. Also, they will put you through our company’s guidelines under US Human Resources Laws and Regulations if you are hired.”
ME: “Ok, sounds great.
Could you also send me the phone # for your office? And what city/state/country it’s in. Thank you!”
Note: My questions about the office location and phone number were deliberately ignored. The scammer then shifted to the “interview questions.”
David: “You should provide answer to the following questions starting from number one to number 13… You have 25 minutes.
( 1 ) What type of jobs have you had?
( 2 ) How did you get your previous jobs?
( 3 ) What were your main responsibilities? Achievements?
( 4 ) How long do you intend working for this company ?
( 5 ) Are you currently employed?
( 6 ) Are you willing to work flexible or long hours?
( 7 ) Do you have a HP laser-jet printer, copier and scanner?
( 8 ) Are you seeking a Full time or Part time Position ?
( 9 ) What mobile carrier network do you use?
( 10 )Are you proficient in Word and Excel ?
( 11 ) How would you like to be Paid ? Weekly Or Bi-Weekly/Direct deposit or Wire Transfer ?
Note: Again, the mention of direct deposit is setting the stage for requesting sensitive banking information.
( 12 ) What Bank Do you Operate with to see if it tallies with the company’s official salary payment account ?
Note: Here it is – the request for bank details. This is a major red flag for job scams.
( 13 ) What do you understand by privacy and code of conduct ?”–end David’s quote…
My (Sarcastic) Answers:
“(1) Fork-lift, warehousing, sandblasting, manufacturing, technical support, customer service, data entry, sales, and help desk.
(2) Usually applying directly, or through contingent agent.
(3) In any customer service/technical support role, consistently maintain a 95%, or above, customer rated satisfaction rating. I have a lot of experience implementing 5S/6S Lean+Safety in an industrial/warehouse environment; improving safety, organization, and process improvements by designing improvements and implementing them. Typical typing speed around 69 wpm with at least 97% accuracy.
(4) I am looking for a long-term opportunity; with potentially, the possibility of advancement. (5) No. (6) Yes. (7) Yes [not HP brand, but equal].
(8) Prefer full-time, but open-minded to other options. (9) t-mobile. (10) Yes.
(11) Weekly via direct deposit; open to other options.
(12) They all do, it’s a credit union in a national network of other credit unions.
(13) Confidentiality of customers’ personal information, and the protection of private information; to ensure it’s not distributed to 3rd parties without consent.”
David: “In a grade of %100 how much can this company depend on you for your loyalty,diligence,hard work,team spirit and sincerity ?”
ME: “I would say 95% plus; at least. I rarely get sick, and I do not abuse time off requests; so they will be there for me when I actually really need the time off for something important. I prefer to be efficient on the front end, so I have more time for organization, soliciting feedback, etc. I know team-work is required and important for maximum effectiveness.”
David: “Your answers will be forwarded to my head of department now for review and consideration for (15-20) minutes. I will be here shortly with your interview result. Please standby and make sure your Hangout is available.”
ME: “Ok. Thank you David!”
Note: The “head of department review” and quick turnaround is another tactic to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy.
David: “CONGRATULATIONS!!! After due consideration and answers you provided during the interview session, Luxottica is pleased to offer you the position of a Data Entry. Due to your experience and communication skills we have decided to give you a chance to work for the company and we trust that your knowledge, skills and experience will be among our most valuable assets.”
ME: “Great news; thank you!”
David: “Your Primary duties include: Assist on general administrative duties, Preparation of Balance sheets (Mini), account balancing, invoicing recording,proper data analysis of sales records and recording pay slips into accounting database all these will be done through the use of the Accounting Software.
Secondary duties: Now, your secondary daily duties would be to report to your Supervisor, who would be attached to you online, He/She would assign logs of duty daily and you would be required to work according to instructions, using the Microsoft Office tools and the Accounting software. Now the function of the Accounting software is to arrange, formalize and manage the data you have processed, sent to your supervisor via E-mail.
Can you handle these effectively if been trained towards it ?”
ME: “Yes.”
David: “As for your duties, I will assist you with any difficulties.. You can as well work between 40 hours weekly and you are 100 percent sure of getting paid for it.. Working hours are flexible. All activities and corresponding time are to be recorded in excel spreadsheet. You will Earn $25 per hour, You will receive your pay via Direct Deposit/Cheque weekly Okay”
Note: The phrase “between 40 hours weekly” is grammatically incorrect and nonsensical, further highlighting the scam.
ME: “Ok; thanks.”
David: “In the meantime, I need you to provide me with the following info so my secretary can put you to register….
Full Name:
Home address:
City:
State/Province:
Zip Code:
Cell and home number:
Favorable email address:”–end David’s quote.
ME: “Can you send me your contact information first please?
I have zero information about your office, except your email.”
David: “Luxottica.com”
Note: Again, avoiding providing direct contact information and office details.
ME: “Oh, thanks; I meant your office phone, extension, address of your office. Thanks!”
David: “It’s international company don’t you read about it”
ME: “Yes. But they aren’t going to list the phone # to your office. Are you in Italy? What’s your extension?”
Note: At this point, the scammer stopped responding. They had likely realized I was onto them and were moving on to other potential victims.
It’s generally not recommended to engage with scammers for this long. It’s a time-consuming process, and your efforts are better spent elsewhere. However, in this instance, my goal was to document the scam tactics for educational purposes.
Remember, scammers often operate from overseas and use untraceable VOIP numbers, making it difficult to gather substantial information or pursue legal action. Knowing when to disengage is crucial.
This detailed example illustrates the typical progression of an employment scam. While specific methods may vary, the underlying goals remain consistent.
The Scammer’s Objectives:
- Prolonged Engagement and Credibility Building: Scammers aim to keep you engaged in the process for as long as possible, gradually building a false sense of legitimacy.
- Information Extraction: They start by gathering general information and progressively request more personal details, culminating in requests for banking and identification information.
- Company Impersonation: They often use information that appears accurate about real companies to enhance their credibility and deceive victims.
- Exploiting Hope and Financial Vulnerability: Ultimately, these scams prey on job seekers’ hopes for employment and can lead to financial loss if victims fall for their schemes.
Tips to Identify and Avoid Employment Scams:
Refer to reputable resources like TheBalanceCareers.com’s “Top 10 Job Scam Warning Signs” for comprehensive guidance.
Key Takeaways to Protect Yourself from Job Scams:
- Be wary of unsolicited job offers, especially those received via text or instant messaging.
- Scrutinize email addresses. Legitimate companies use their own domain names, not generic email services.
- Beware of poor grammar and unprofessional language in job communications.
- Be suspicious of overly high pay rates for entry-level or remote positions.
- Never provide sensitive personal or financial information during the initial stages of an online interview process.
- Always verify the company’s legitimacy. Check their website, LinkedIn profile, and look for independent reviews.
- Request to speak to someone on the phone and ask for direct office contact information. A refusal to provide this is a major red flag.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels too good to be true or seems suspicious, it probably is.
Remember: Due diligence is your responsibility!
You have every right to ask questions and verify information! Don’t hesitate to contact the actual company directly to confirm the legitimacy of a job offer, even if it means making a phone call to their official headquarters.
Stay vigilant and share this information to help protect others from falling victim to employment scams.
Alt text: Suspicious text message example for a customer service data entry job with grammatical errors and a request to contact a hiring manager via Google Hangout, a red flag for job scams.
Alt text: Screenshot of a Google Hangout conversation with a scammer impersonating a Luxottica hiring manager, showcasing typical tactics used in online job interview scams.
