Invoice Scams
There is a job offer with the following requirement. Is this a scam?
Your job will be to print our invoices and ship them using US mail.
- Working from home.
- No investments from your part.
- Flexible program-2 hours anytime on the day.
- No selling; No telemarketing; No hot calls.
- Checking e-mail, printing invoices, ship the invoices.
We would prefer to be careful about such mails because there are many cases of “Invoice Scams”. Why would the company need to hire someone to send out invoice on their behalf? Is the invoice legitimate? There is a possibility that the scammer is looking for a “job mule” to help send out illegal invoices.
There are variety of invoice scams reported over the web, and one such website mentioned about invoice scams for directory listing, magazine subscription, office supplies, etc. While the invoice scams are targeted at the recepient, there may be jobs out there who seek “others” to sign up and be a part of the grand scheme without even knowing what is happening.
In a particular case of Invoice Scams, the scammer collects a database of decision makers in the company and sends invoice to the procurement department. Due to the work load, some companies may think that any invoice they received would mean that the goods were “delivered” and they simply have to pay for it. They may not perform a check with their receiving party, possibly out of convenience or laziness, and simply pay out accordingly.
Some scammers simply send fake invoices in a mass mailing campaign, hoping that someone would also “simply” pay according to the invoice especially if they are dealing with the company.
In another case, the scammer goes to the extent to record a telephone call with a retail shop. They called to confirm the mailing address of the retail shop and record that conversation. The voice record is used as a proof that the “retail shop” had ordered the goods, and the scammer simply sent an invoice to the shop.
Some try to trick by adding a fine print on the invoice, esp. on a “free subscription” basis since people may not take the invoice seriously, until they provide their credit card number and see the amount charged in the next invoice.
Now, the email that we received in question is a job offer, asking someone to take up the job just to send invoices. We think that based on the email alone is not enough to confirm that this is a scam as we need to find out more of what the company is invoicing. Do not sign up for a job that sounds too good to be true, without knowing the details. Before you know it, the $1,800 isn’t as great as going to jail for being an accomplice in a scam.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,1000000097,39161910,00.htm
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/direct-data-center-inc-c104598.html
http://www.local10.com/news/15441021/detail.html
http://www.scambusters.org/invoicescams.html
—–Attached—–
From: graham.jordan42@gmail.com <candidateemail@site.careerbuilder.com>
Subject: Message from Careerbuilder: We have an open position for you.
To: “graham.jordan42@gmail.com” <candidateemail@site.careerbuilder.com>
Date: Friday, December 5, 2008, 2:03 PM
After the evaluation of your resume, we have come to the conclusion that
you are perfectly fit for our open position, as a part time associate. In this position, you will be paid at
least $30 hourly, with a guarantee $1,800.00 salary per month. Our company needs a person, who has at least 2
hours per day, able to print 200-500 invoices per day. Our company supports all the expenses, including
special printer hardware, and offers 0.30 US Dollars per invoice printed and shipped. We have at
least 200 invoices to print daily for our US clients.
Your job will be to print our invoices and ship them using US mail.
– Working from home.
– No investments from your part.
– Flexible program-2 hours anytime on the day.
– No selling; No telemarketing; No hot calls.
– Checking e-mail, printing invoices, ship the invoices.
Requirements:
– US citizen or permanent residence/green card
– Internet access for sending and receiving e-mails
– Two free hours daily, not including weekends.
If you are interested on starting collaboration with our company then
answer to the following questions:
1. Are you older than 21 years?
2. Did you use a printer before?
If you have more questions then don’t hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards
Graham Jordan
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I received a letter similar to the ones presented here. I had a feeling that this was too good to be true so I asked for more information on the company. It was not forthcoming. I never sent any personal info or bank name that was for real. The final hint that this was not for real was that all transactions had to go through Paypal. I know from experience that all transactions that go through Paypal can be held and or refunded at their discretion. Even if you have proof of shipment if a buyer complains they get a refund, whatever they want and the hell with the seller. I then found this info when I googled Paypal scams. I have told the letter writer that I’m not interested since this smells of a scam. He was very into sending me emails non stop and now – nothing. Also, the last email had a very glaring spelling error – another hint that this is a scam.
Jay Schrader is still at it. He goes by Dr. Jay Schrader in his e-mails and is offering all sorts of “employment opportunities”. He fronts at least two ‘opportunities’ to make millions from listing stuff on E Bay. One from a female wanting $67.00 to train you to do this and another one with a guy;s success story wanting $197.00 for the same “opportunity”. Both stories contain much of the same wording and charts. I went for one of them but immediately contacted my bank and had them get involved and put in a claim to the alleged company.
I got another “offer” today from Dr. Jay Schrader but have not looked at it yet. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is as the old saying goes.
My husband received an email with this exact offer. We have been searching for a part time job to make ends meet. Seemed too good to be true. I used to work for a check cashing store. I’ve seen and heard about all types of scams, so I my husband that we will not ask for a check. I emailed the “company” told them they can do a paypal transfer. I never heard from them again.
As of August 4, 2009, they are still at it:
Dear Candidate,
After we saw your online resume we decided to contact you with a part time job offer.
Our company needs a person, who has 2 hours per day, able to print 200-500 invoices per day. Your obligation it will be only to print the company’s invoices.
We support all expenses, including shipping fees, printer, ink, paper and envelopes. We offer 0.30 US Dollars per invoice printed and shipped, with a guarantee $1,800.00 salary per month.
We have at least 200 invoices to print daily for our US clients and it takes less than 1 hour to print 500.
Your job will be to print our invoices and ship those using Fedex mailing services, using the company’s prepaid account. You can choose to receive the invoices in the morning or evening.
Benefits:
- Working from home…
- Flexible program-2 hours anytime on the day.
- No selling; No telemarketing; No hot calls.
- Checking e-mail, printing invoices, ship the invoices.
Requirements:
- US citizen or permanent residence/green card
- Internet access for sending and receiving e-mails
- Two free hours daily, not including weekends.
If you are interested on starting collaboration with our company then reply this message with answer to the following question:
Do you know how to use a printer and how to change ink cartridge?
Kind regards
Patricia Malberg
How do we stop these people?
This is exactly how fake check scam works. In some cases, the bank takes up to 10 days to find that the check is fake.