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How Can I Verify that a Job is Legitimate?
I received the below email from a person I was referred to for a job. I was not referred by someone I know but someone from another job to which I applied. Is there a way to verify that this is legitimate? I've been scammed before.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 09:29:31 AM EST, Michael Hecht <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello KathyAnn,
I trust this message finds you in good spirits. Thank you sincerely for your interest in the personal assistant position and for promptly furnishing the requested details.
I am thrilled to extend to you an offer for the Personal Assistant role following a meticulous review of your qualifications. Your impressive skills and experience are precisely what I am seeking, and I am genuinely excited about the prospect of having you join our team. Upon my return, we will swiftly complete all requisite paperwork to formalize your employment.
Given the nature of our work, your responsiveness and efficacy will be paramount. I will relay instructions for your first week's assignment via email, with your initial payment disbursed one week thereafter.
As I am currently traveling, my access to wifi is limited to specific locations such as my hotel or designated office spaces, which may intermittently affect my availability.
Looking ahead, I kindly request your completion of the following questionnaires:
How do you manage competing responsibilities and deadlines when prioritizing tasks?
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
What is your typical frequency of email checks?
Please specify your availability in terms of days and hours.
Can you confirm your availability for the current week?
Do you have any prior criminal convictions? (Please indicate Yes or No, and provide details if applicable)
Honesty and integrity are paramount to me. How do you ensure trustworthiness when handling financial matters?
Would you prefer to receive payment via Direct Deposit or Check?
Please be advised that all expenses will be covered by me, and I will expect meticulous record-keeping regarding funds allocated to you, including a monthly report.
For seamless communication, kindly add this email address to your contacts list.
I eagerly anticipate your response.
Warm regards,
--
Michael Hecht
This message and any attachments transmitted with it are intended only for the
designated recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged material.
Any review, copying, distribution or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the designated
recipient(s) is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please
contact the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your system.
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Anonymous
05/28/24 at 2:46PM UTC
I too have been plagued with these scam jobs. Specifically after I posted my resume on CareerBuilders. They have ranged from a request to download a specific app. I looked up the name on LinkedIn and asked them if they sent the email, never heard back. I received a text (I do not assign up for SMS notification so I can screen scams too) and an email from some company. I looked up the company and reached out to them and asked if they were hiring. Surprise!!! it was also a scam. I think it is sad that these people will actually pry on people when they are down.
Tali ShlaferInterview Coach for Corporate Professionals
17
03/09/24 at 2:40AM UTC
Nope nope nope nope nope! This type of scam is so common. When I worked in the film industry, my email would get scraped from networking databases, and I'd get these types of emails all the time.
Good rule of thumb: If it seems too good to be true, if it's moving super quickly, or if they're reaching out via email without you having contacted them, beware!
KathyAnn KrajcikExecutive Assistant in NJ
255
03/07/24 at 7:05PM UTC (Edited)
There are so many scams out there today.
It's never been like this. I wish there were a really good way to determine what's real. On LinkedIn companies can verify their job post. I wish LinkedIn would require it for every post. This is ridiculous.
Anonymous
03/05/24 at 11:58PM UTC
Then I got this one after I reached out...
Thank you for expressing your interest. While the position you initially applied for has been filled, I am impressed with your qualifications and would like to extend an invitation to join me as my Personal Assistant. Your background and experience align closely with the requirements of this role, and I believe you would be an excellent fit.
My name is Michael Hecht, and I am currently seeking a dedicated and reliable individual to assist me with both professional and personal tasks. Your attention to detail and professional demeanor, as highlighted in your resume, make you an ideal candidate for this position. I envision this role as a long-term opportunity, contingent upon our mutual satisfaction in the initial months.
As my Personal Assistant, your responsibilities will include:
Creating and editing documents using Microsoft Office suite.
Managing my schedule, including travel arrangements and keeping me informed of upcoming commitments.
Serving as a primary point of contact in my absence, handling phone calls and correspondence.
Facilitating financial contributions to charitable organizations on my behalf.
In return, you will receive competitive benefits including 401K, Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, as well as bonuses and commissions.
This role is entirely remote, allowing you to maintain your current employment if desired. Flexibility is key, and you can work from any location. Your primary task will be to follow instructions promptly and efficiently. The compensation for this position is $1390 per week, with bi-weekly pay.
As someone heavily involved in various business ventures and charitable endeavors, I require a capable Personal Assistant to keep me organized and informed, especially during my frequent travels. Currently, I am volunteering in a remote village in Ecuador, but I plan to return in two weeks to conduct a formal interview and complete necessary paperwork.
To express your interest in this position, please provide the following details:
Full Name:
Complete Address (Including Apartment, City, State, and Zip Code):
Mobile Number:
Current Occupation:
Thank you for considering this opportunity. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Anonymous
03/05/24 at 11:57PM UTC
Mine started with this...
From: Ethan Chazin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 4, 2024 at 06:41:01 AM MST
Subject: Office Manager
Dear Candidate,
How are you doing today? Thanks for getting in touch. I'm really sorry to inform you that the Office Manager you applied for on our LinkedIn Job Post has been filled but the good news is that I have referred you to one of our clients looking to fill a remote position. If you are interested, please forward your resume to this email address [email protected]
I have also sent him an email.
Thank You,
Ethan L. Chazin MBA
The Chazin Group, LLC
Hema
12
03/04/24 at 9:12PM UTC
I received the exact same email and he is sending $2450 to begin the work. I didn’t know it was a scam until I read your post. Could you tell me how do we report to the police about such scam emails? Also, does the actual person knows that his name and his company name have been used to scam the job seekers?
KathyAnn KrajcikExecutive Assistant in NJ
255
03/05/24 at 12:56AM UTC
I don't know if the police would care or even how they would go about looking into something like this. Michael Hecht has a LinkedIn page. I don't know if it's legitimate or not. You could even look up the company on the Internet and call them, but that's not guaranteed to be legitimate either.
Anonymous
03/04/24 at 6:33PM UTC
I received the same letter on the 29th and was referred to by a Traci Kuther who I applied for an EA position and she responded it's been filled but there's a client.....
Gut was saying be leery and thank you everyone for the comments. That's an email that will be filed away.
Traci K
15
04/23/24 at 7:45AM UTC
Hi - My Linkedin was hacked. I did not post any jobs. If you saw the actual email address it wasn't mine, but by the time Linkedin shut it down the scammer started that 2nd scam emailing people. I put up postings on my Linkedin & my websites as soon as I was notified & contacted Linkedin a zillion times to get it resolved. Please contact Linkedin customer service. They need to be more accountable so that small businesses like mine are protected & honest people like yourselves looking for employment have their information secure. I wish you the very best in your job search.
Anonymous
03/11/24 at 4:53PM UTC
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/traci-kuther-330b3414a_traci-kuther-real-estate-did-not-post-any-activity-7168375324248928256-3-sI/
Traci K
15
04/23/24 at 7:40AM UTC
Hi - My Linkedin was hacked. I did not post any jobs. Please contact Linkedin customer service. They need to be more accountable so that small businesses like mine are protected & honest people like yourselves looking for employment have their information secure.
KathyAnn KrajcikExecutive Assistant in NJ
255
03/05/24 at 12:57AM UTC
I hear you on that. For sure...no further interaction.
Anonymous
03/01/24 at 10:48PM UTC
I received the exact same letter - word for word! Good to know. Thanks for posting this and saving me time to not get involved with this scam job offer.
Hema
12
03/04/24 at 8:48PM UTC
I received the same email. Word to word!!!
KathyAnn KrajcikExecutive Assistant in NJ
255
03/02/24 at 7:45PM UTC
You got the same letter? How did you get to this alleged job? I was referred by someone.
KathyAnn KrajcikExecutive Assistant in NJ
255
03/02/24 at 11:19PM UTC
No, I was referred by someone else. I can't believe you got exactly the same thing. Wow. Job hunting isn't what it used to be.
Anonymous
03/03/24 at 11:37PM UTC (Edited)
I also applied to a completely different job at Traci K and was referred by them to this position with his email.
Now suspicious of Traci K too. Is that who you were referred to this position?
Here is my letter:
On Mar 1, 2024, at 9:51 AM, Michael Hecht <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello ,
I trust this message finds you in good spirits. Thank you sincerely for your interest in the personal assistant position and for promptly furnishing the requested details.
I am thrilled to extend to you an offer for the Personal Assistant role following a meticulous review of your qualifications. Your impressive skills and experience are precisely what I am seeking, and I am genuinely excited about the prospect of having you join our team. Upon my return, we will swiftly complete all requisite paperwork to formalize your employment.
Given the nature of our work, your responsiveness and efficacy will be paramount. I will relay instructions for your first week's assignment via email, with your initial payment disbursed one week thereafter.
As I am currently traveling, my access to wifi is limited to specific locations such as my hotel or designated office spaces, which may intermittently affect my availability.
Looking ahead, I kindly request your completion of the following questionnaires:
How do you manage competing responsibilities and deadlines when prioritizing tasks?
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
What is your typical frequency of email checks?
Please specify your availability in terms of days and hours.
Can you confirm your availability for the current week?
Do you have any prior criminal convictions? (Please indicate Yes or No, and provide details if applicable)
Honesty and integrity are paramount to me. How do you ensure trustworthiness when handling financial matters?
Would you prefer to receive payment via Direct Deposit or Check?
Please be advised that all expenses will be covered by me, and I will expect meticulous record-keeping regarding funds allocated to you, including a monthly report.
For seamless communication, kindly add this email address to your contacts list.
I eagerly anticipate your response.
Warm regards,
--
Michael Hecht
This message and any attachments transmitted with it are intended only for the
designated recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged material.
Any review, copying, distribution or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the designated
recipient(s) is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please
contact the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your system.
Traci K
15
04/23/24 at 7:53AM UTC
Hi - My Linkedin was hacked. I did not post any jobs, but by the time Linkedin shut it down the scammer started that 2nd scam emailing people. If you saw the actual email address it wasn't mine. I put up postings on my Linkedin & my websites & contacted Linkedin a zillion times to get it resolved. Please contact Linkedin customer service. They need to be more accountable so that small businesses like mine are protected &amp; honest people like yourselves looking for employment have their information secure. I wish you the very best in your job search.
KathyAnn KrajcikExecutive Assistant in NJ
255
03/05/24 at 12:58AM UTC
No, it was not Traci K, but I'm sure that's not legitimate either. The whole thing is a scam.
See other replies
Anonymous
03/02/24 at 1:06PM UTC
This ^
Anonymous
03/02/24 at 1:51AM UTC
Yep, one MORE piece of validation it's a scam.
Suzanne scott
20
03/01/24 at 6:14PM UTC
Sounds fishy!
Anonymous
03/01/24 at 9:53PM UTC
Because it is :)
Danielle CastilloRecent graduate and aspiring Project Manager.
156
03/01/24 at 5:08PM UTC (Edited)
You can start by researching the company and looking up the employees.
Check if this Michael Hecht has a LinkedIn profile because most professionals should have one, especially if they make hiring decisions. If this is a real company, you should be able to find a legit email or phone number on the website to reach out and inquire if this person actually works there. Make sure you do your due diligence because yes, people are now scamming desperate job seekers. This happened to me about two weeks ago. Someone claiming to work at a property management company emailed me saying they were interested in offering me a job that I know I didn't apply for. I did all the steps above that I suggested. I checked the company's real website and looked under the "Meet the Team" section, and this person's name wasn't there. But what's funny is, I also saw another website that listed the scammer's name alongside actual employees of the company. So, they created a fake website and used the name of real employees to look legit. I emailed the actual company and told them about the email I received, and they confirmed that it was a scam they were aware of. Your email sounds similar to the one I received, and I highly doubt it's legit because real companies usually give job offers over phone not email, and they won't make offers before interviewing you. Unfortunately, this type of thing is becoming common so be very careful.
Anonymous
03/01/24 at 5:27PM UTC
Agreed. I'm not OP, but I don't trust anyone. Why would anyone come to me unless a specific circumstance (personal referral of sorts)
The letter OP has is FULL of red flags.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
20.71k
03/01/24 at 10:11PM UTC
I reach out to passive candidates (people who are not actively looking for a job) all the time. It's part of recruiting.
