I recieved an email saying my resume had been seen and I was perfect for the job. Customers in the United States will UPS a check, money order or cashier's check to me.
I was to cash the funds and wire them to an address they disclosed. I was to keep 10% for myself as well as the cost to wire the funds.
Of course, it sounded too good to be true but I'm a curious sort. I did a little research on the internet and could find no bad information about Portland Fabrics, Cole Dieter, Harry Willson or Edwards Larry.
I made it clear that I would accept the UPS delivery and once the check cleared that bank upon which it was drawn (NOT just my own bank), I would do as they had asked.
The first check was a business check. These guys are pretty sneaky... they included a customer service number for the business' bank I could call to verify the funds.
I called each day to see if the check had cleared. I had learned from my own bank that regulations require my bank to "say" the funds have cleared, even if it actually hadn't posted on the check's bank. So, I decided to wait until that bank had posted the check, just to be on the safe side.
Of course, the check was returned after five days. It was stamped "exceeds check limit." The check had been written over the amount predetermined for that business' checks.
During this waiting period, I was urged continually, to wire the funds. I stuck to my plan and did not wire the funds. I'm glad I didn't.
I was then told there was a problem with the business' customer. They would resend the funds in the form of a money order.
The money orders arrived. They'd been drawn on CVS. When I called Money Gram, I gave them the numbers on the money orders and the amounts drawn. You guessed it... the amount and the money order numbers did not match. These were fraudulant money orders. I didn't even bother to take them to my bank.
Again, I was told it was a "customer" problem. Could I accept a cashier's check? Sure, I'd accept a cashier's check.
The cashier's check arrived via UPS. It had been drawn on Sterling Bank, Houston, Texas. A red flag went up this time as I'd Googled Sterling Bank. The FDIC website had posted a notice about stolen, fraudulant Sterling Bank cashier's checks. A phone call confirmed I'd received a bad cashier's check.
Three strikes and you're out! I've not heard from Cole Dieter, et al since I emailed them the bad news. I don't think I'm working for them anymore! Ha!
Later internet research revealed Portland Fabrics was part of the Nigerian scam. I'm hoping my curiousity about this "job" offer will help others from actually falling victim to their scam.
0 comments