A job offer almost cost an Orlando man $2,000 just by responding to a Craigslist jobs ad. Scammers are now using that popular jobs site to target folks who are desperate for work.
Action 9's Todd Ulrich tracked down how it works and helped one man avoid a costly mistake.
It's a popular Craigslist site advertising Orlando jobs and saying the companies are hiring now. That's where Kevin McLaughlin thought he had landed a part-time job
“I was excited," McLaughlin said.
“He asked for my information so he could do a background check on me, so I gave him that information,” McLaughlin said
McLaughlin was told that he had been hired
To cover that cost, the company sent McLaughlin a $2,400 cashier’s check.
McLaughlin said the instructions were for him to keep $400 for expenses and then send the $2,000 balance to the company’s satellite office.
McLaughlin's credit union verified that the bank account on the check existed, but told him there was still a three-day hold.
“The check isn't going to clear for three days, yet I'm supposed to forward this money within 24 hours,” McLaughlin said.
Action 9 learned that it is an old Nigerian scam that asks someone to send money before the fake The scam is now targeting job seekers, and some are desperate enough to take the bait.
Holly Salmon of the Better Business Bureau said scams of the type that McLaughlin encountered are popular over the holidays, when people are in need of an extra paycheck.
McLaughlin caught on before the scammers could drain his bank account, although they do have a lot of his personal information.
“It must work," McLaughlin said. "People fall for it."
Ulrich found a dozen ads on Craigslist that were similar to the one that McLaughlin answered.
According to Ulrich, those running the scam will often ask that cash be sent by Western Union or Green Dot Money cards.
Action 9's Todd Ulrich tracked down how it works and helped one man avoid a costly mistake.
It's a popular Craigslist site advertising Orlando jobs and saying the companies are hiring now. That's where Kevin McLaughlin thought he had landed a part-time job
“I was excited," McLaughlin said.
“He asked for my information so he could do a background check on me, so I gave him that information,” McLaughlin said
McLaughlin was told that he had been hired
To cover that cost, the company sent McLaughlin a $2,400 cashier’s check.
McLaughlin said the instructions were for him to keep $400 for expenses and then send the $2,000 balance to the company’s satellite office.
McLaughlin's credit union verified that the bank account on the check existed, but told him there was still a three-day hold.
“The check isn't going to clear for three days, yet I'm supposed to forward this money within 24 hours,” McLaughlin said.
Action 9 learned that it is an old Nigerian scam that asks someone to send money before the fake
Holly Salmon of the Better Business Bureau said scams of the type that McLaughlin encountered are popular over the holidays, when people are in need of an extra paycheck.
McLaughlin caught on before the scammers could drain his bank account, although they do have a lot of his personal information.
“It must work," McLaughlin said. "People fall for it."
Ulrich found a dozen ads on Craigslist that were similar to the one that McLaughlin answered.
According to Ulrich, those running the scam will often ask that cash be sent by Western Union or Green Dot Money cards.
WFTV
