I've been hired to work full time remotely as a Junior Graphic Designer for a well established pharmaceutical company.

46 Comments

1. Yamini BangarusamyMay 17,2025 at 6:32AM UTC

   Hello, this does sound suspicious. Interviews done entirely over chat, immediate offers, and checks for equipment (especially with a required vendor list), are all common signs of job scams. The lack of a design team presence online makes it even more questionable. Please don’t deposit the check or purchase anything unless you can independently verify the legitimacy of the job offer. Attempt to contact the company directly via contact info posted on their official website, not any contact info the "recruiter" has shared.

2. AnonymousMay 17,2025 at 12:13PM UTC

   Look up the company and contact HR before you spend any money or give your social security number.

3. Terry EvansMay 17,2025 at 12:43PM UTC

   It is a Scam. They want you to deposit the check immediately through your phone, then give most of it to their vendor. The check is fake. Already happened to me. Make sure the check clears before you withdraw the money or your responsible.

4. Diane J HuffMay 17,2025 at 12:59PM UTC

   Yeah. I’m sorry but this is a scam. Please don’t deposit that check.

5. AnonymousMay 17,2025 at 4:28PM UTC

   Scam.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 18,2025 at 7:31AM UTC

   As others have said this is a scam scam scam. No legitimate company "interviews" jobseekers by chat.

   No legitimate company's IT department works that way.

   They want you to deposit the check so they get your bank account information.

   It seems like many of the scams that I hear of start and continue by text.

7. Alexis GladstoneMay 18,2025 at 12:34PM UTC

   Please don't walk, but run away from this. It is a scam. There isn't a any legitimate company that will interview and hire this way. I hope you haven't given them any money or personal information. If you have, freeze your credit immediately.

8. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 12:38PM UTC

   This sounds like a scam. Are you communicating with them through whatsapp? If so, 1000% a scam. Please do not send them any of your personal information and do not deposit the check. If you cannot find the company on Linkedin..RUN!

9. Evelyn LivantMay 18,2025 at 1:07PM UTC

   That’s a scam! If you deposit the check, they will say there was an accidental overpayment and have you send them money. Then their check will bounce .

   Any real company will mail you a laptop and all other equipment — most likely UPS.

10. Deb AllenMay 18,2025 at 1:19PM UTC

    Delete and block. If you have provided any personal identifiers you need to lock down your credit and LI profiles immediately. Change passwords for any apps on your phone. Check for malware.

11. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 1:55PM UTC

    If you're interested, you could also call the bank listed on the check. Look up the bank's contact info on their website. Ask to speak to the fraud department. Explain that you think you may have been sent a fraudulent check. Provide the account information and the bank can confirm. Going this route could impact your confidence in knowing this isn't a bona-fide company and offer.

12. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 2:26PM UTC

    Do not deposit the check. They want your banking information. Hopefully, you haven't shared any personal info (ss#, bday, etc). If you have, you need to lock down your credit asap. Total scam.

13. Colleen HansonMay 18,2025 at 3:40PM UTC

    I would try to look up as much information as you can on the company itself before you do anything! I went through something similar and by the time I received their "check" to deposit I had already garnered enough information to realize that it was a scam. I actually turned the check they sent me into my bank and they were going to send it through their fraud department and asked me to "play along" with the company as long as I could so they would have time to investigate it and turn them in. Many of these places shut down immediately after you cash these checks and "buy" their eequipment (that is why they have told you where you are approved to buy from-it is all funneling back to them, and you will ultimately be spending your own money when their check eventually bounces). By the time everything is said and done they have pocketed your money, shut everything down and moved on to the next victim under a different company name.

14. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 4:31PM UTC

    Don't spend any money unless you want these items for yourself. Any employer that is going to hire you should and would provide all the tools for you to get the job done. You could be the sole designer that they would have on board. IF the company is in the US ask them for their FEIN number which identifies them as a proper employer and look them up. Check to assure they are not some scam place...good luck.

15. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 4:50PM UTC

    The perspective is simple. You already feel something is wrong. You must go with your gut. No one gets hired without some sort of call or F2F interaction. That’s bad business. Any company who says you pay for the tools you need is shady.

16. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 4:50PM UTC

    Run, do not walk to the nearest exit. It is 100% a scam. Hope you did not give them any personal info, eg. SSN, bank account., address etc. I went through the same process via Signal chat last year. Thankfully, I was able to see through the scammers.

17. Imelda del MundoMay 18,2025 at 8:14PM UTC

    It’s a big scam. Always remember no legit company does an interview without seeing and/or showing themselves to the applicant. I have a friend, who did purchase the “mini office products” needed to set up his wfh office but never received any check from the employer. He paid a large amount. I knew about this because I got the same offer and he said, “NO! If you don’t want to sacrifice your money for something you may already have at home.” Because even if you tell them you’re all set to start and have your own small office they tell you they have requirements to follow blah blah blah blah!

    Just forget it and save yourself from big trouble!

18. MidwestMaven456May 18,2025 at 10:19PM UTC

    SCAM! Once you deposit the check, it will bounce and/or they have access to your ban account number. Does not sound legit at all.

19. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 3:51AM UTC

    Wow, I've never heard of this scam, so am very grateful for all the input from fairygodboss subscribers!

    Scammers are crappy people!!

    To the OP, hope you have been able to preserve and secure your personal info and any finance info.

20. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 5:05AM UTC

    I agree with all the previous comments. I had a similar experience a few years ago, and when I searched the company name along with “hiring scam,” multiple results came up. If you're able to, check the company’s official website—they may have a warning about fraudulent hiring practices. Trust your instincts and walk away. Whatever you do, don’t give them any money.

21. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 9:38AM UTC

    "Well established pharmacy company" and that's how they roll? Scam. I mean, if they are well-established, they have a legitimate online presence - website, etc. Find them. Find their 'contact us' section and reach out.

22. brandladyMay 19,2025 at 12:03PM UTC

    This is a scam. Don’t do it.

23. Maltag LouisMay 19,2025 at 12:12PM UTC

    Sounds like a scam to me.

24. Mary JohnsonMay 19,2025 at 12:21PM UTC

    Sorry, but this screams scam to me. They'll send you a check which will bounce and then the issues start plus they'll have your ID etc for 'new starters/HR reasons'. If this is a pharmacy company that you have heard of, they will have an email address on their website. Reach out to that email address and check if its genuine.

    Remember too, that the scammers want you to believe this is real, so it's quite possibly them in the chat rooms saying 'oh I had this and it was fine' etc.

    No genuine company would recruit in this way and I urge to be very careful now. Good luck with your job search.

25. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 12:28PM UTC

    Sorry but this doesn't sound right. I work for large pharma company in a remote role. Original laptop was shipped to me. And recently my new laptop was shipped to me. How else will their IT department be able to get your account set up?

26. Kari ShepleyMay 19,2025 at 12:35PM UTC

    This is a scam. The exact same thing happened to a former colleague of mine. Everything you are explaining is the same, except he was an IT support person and you are in graphics. Please do not buy anything or quit your existing role until you are able to verify with the pharmaceutical company in real time that you have actually been hired.

27. Joyce van den BergMay 19,2025 at 12:49PM UTC

    Sorry. Definitely a scam, unfortunately. This happened to me too. If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is.

28. Nickee TaylorMay 19,2025 at 12:49PM UTC

    Be careful. It sounds like a scam

29. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 12:58PM UTC

    It's definitely a scam. Do not cash the check (it will likely bounce).

    Check the email address. It's likely 1 or 2 characters off from the real company address or they added recruiting to it.

    You can find the real company and reach out to validate. But this is definitely a scam as remote companies will send you equipment.

    Sorry.

30. Barb HansenMay 19,2025 at 1:03PM UTC

    This. Is. A. Scam.

    I know how exciting it can be to receive a job offer—especially one that seems like a great opportunity—but let’s take a step back and look at the facts:

    You’ve been offered a role at an established pharmaceutical company, and yet:

    --The entire interview was done over chat only—no video, no phone.

    --They’re sending you a check to buy equipment, instead of shipping you what you need directly.

    --They claim shipping is too complicated for them—despite being a company that likely deals with complex supply chain logistics every day.

    --You can’t find anyone from their design team on LinkedIn or listed on their site.

    None of this adds up. If this were a legitimate role at a real company:

    --The IT department would ship a pre-configured laptop with the correct software and access.

    --Communication would include at least one live conversation—Zoom, Teams, phone, something.

    --You wouldn’t be asked to handle large amounts of money for equipment up front.

    No matter how much you're hoping this is real: It isn’t. Scammers are getting better at creating plausible stories, but this one still has all the classic red flags. Please don’t cash or deposit anything they send you, and DO NOT send them your banking information.

    You deserve a real job with a real company—keep looking. The right one will come.

31. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 2:07PM UTC

    Put a freeze on your credit. Don’t accept or deposit any checks from them. Do not give any bank info. Shut it down now and warn others.

32. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 1:24PM UTC

    I would make sure you are contacting HR at the pharm company. If not, you are being scammed. Sorry to tell you but as a previous recruiter, NO ONE gets hired by chat, email only or text messages. Always fact check before you engage. Sorry to be the "debbie downer" but you are being scammed.

33. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 2:07PM UTC

    Please do not give anything like your social security info or other personal info. If you did you may want to immediately freeze all your accounts with all 3 credit buteaus and Chex system (which frankly is good practice anyhow), and call your banks. This happened to a tenant. It was a scam, they ended up using his personal info to open a bunch of accounts, and drain his banking. It set him back for a while.

34. Emily RolonMay 19,2025 at 2:49PM UTC

    This is a scam. I got got this way. I’m sorry.

35. Krystin MorganMay 19,2025 at 3:43PM UTC

    I'm sorry, but this is absolutely a scam. Please don't engage with them further.

36. Janice MasonMay 19,2025 at 6:05PM UTC

    IF after reading that everyone says it is a scam, you decide to go ahead and cash the check (which I hope you don’t) set up a new account at your bank (that you can close later if you choose) and deposit the check into THAT account. That way they will not have access to your primary long term account number. I know it sounds strange but it is just a precaution. (I actually use a second account if I need to access at a place I am not familiar with such as a gas station, nail salon, restaurant, etc. since my primary account has been hacked before.)

37. Kim KayMay 20,2025 at 12:35PM UTC

    This is absolutely a scam. If you have any doubt, contact the pharmaceutical company directly, not via the person you spoke with through a number readily available on their established website or social media. They will have no idea who you are because this person is just pretending to be with them because the name recognition makes you let your guard down. Ultimately, you will spend the money on the equipment and never get any money or a job from them. The check is either forged or will bounce and you'll be on the hook for that, as well, especially if the bank allows you to cash it. You also won't get the equipment because the places you are required to buy it from are just how the scammer takes your money.

38. M BaazaMay 20,2025 at 1:34PM UTC

    Known scam

39. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 2:47PM UTC

    An acquaintance of mine was just scammed in exactly this way. NO reputable employer sends you a check to purchase items needed to work. Their explanation .about “not wanting to be the middle man” doesn’t even make sense.

40. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 4:00PM UTC

    Unfortunately, this is a scam.

41. Renée Tessier NunleyMay 20,2025 at 4:10PM UTC

    what is the name of the company? go online, and get contact info from their website- not what you have. then ask to speak to HR because you're not sure whether you've been hired or being phished. But, this sounds like a scam. I am an Art Director and have worked for large pharma companies, and was never asked to purchase specific equipment from a specific list of vendors, ESPECIALLY since the IT at pharma companies is insane and they would never let you set up your own computer.

42. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 8:47PM UTC

    I agree that you should verify with an HR department if this is real.

    I've had "reputable" companies, such as Amazon, hold similar interview processes, with no face-to-face contact (virtually), and been offered a job.

    Many of their responses seemed canned, and if I asked a specific question, the answer was not grammatically correct.

    I was told the same thing about supplies. They would email me a check to pay for my home office supplies, using their suppliers, which seemed shady.

    Although I am desperate for a job, I was skeeved about about the whole process, and, was concerned that if I deposited their check, they might get access to my bank account.

    It could be completely legitimate, but be cautious and careful.

43. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 9:42PM UTC

    This is 100% a scam, my sister got offered a position accepted because she was wanting a job. They sent her a $3,000 check by FedEx. Before she did anything I put on my detective hat and found out the company name on the check did not match the name of the company she was “hired” by, the address on the check did not match the company name nor the phone number. They told her to buy everything from certain vendors and what she didn’t use, send back to them. They also told her that they only communicated via text and only used Telegram texting app and that she had to download it so they could communicate. They also started getting really pushy when she refused to deposit the check, but they never asked for it back. Beware!

44. Nina JohnsonMay 21,2025 at 2:10PM UTC

    I know you've already received lots of comments, but I'm so concerned, I wanted to confirm for you that legitimate remote/WFH opportunities do NOT send you a check and have you purchase your office equipment. While many remote employers will interview via virtual meetings, there is usually a background check before an offer letter is emailed. And no one hires via chat alone because of the risk of hiring someone masking with AI.

    I've worked enough remote roles to know that each piece of electronic equipment is provided by the hiring company because it must be loaded with their proprietary software and firewalls. It arrives with an identification sticker they've assigned to it and you refer to that # when calling with IT issues. It's company-owned equipment and you return it if you leave the company.

    I'm so sorry they wasted your time - these scams are ruthless - and I hope you find something legitimate soon!

45. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 9:16PM UTC

    Sadly, this also happened to me. I almost deposited the check but I spoke to a friend that was able to see all the red flags that I didn’t want to see. When the “manager” emailed me the check and asked where my receipt was for my equipment that I had purchased thus far, I asked a few more questions about the need to have this done same day? I was told by “manager” that they couldn’t send me the remainder of the funds until I had proof of purchase. I decided that I should give this a bit more consideration. The following morning, I was receiving so many calls that my vm was out of space. The truth is that I wanted to believe I had finally found work, but that I know better than this because if it’s to good to be true, it most the time is not true. I decided to take a call and he was not happy with my comments about the concerns I felt and so I said that I needed an offer letter to move forward. He said the email he sent with my check for supplies was the offer letter, and I then said I had attempted to deposit the check and that my bank had now frozen all of my accounts (it wasn’t true but by this time I was done being lied to, imagine the response he gave me when I told him my financial institution would be taking this case of fraud very seriously and that I would also be suing for having my accounts frozen(which neither were true but I needed to bring this nightmare to a conclusion, and I got my last word out as he hung up on me and then never responded back after that happened. It was such an embarrassment but had I not confided in someone else, I may have really deposited that fake check with my bank and then he could access my information as I had to include my bank account number with my endorsement on back of check. Almost got conned into this because it seemed like I finally got work, but I am so happy I camped to see the red flags as I explained this to a friend who cared enough to say this sounds wrong. I never deposited the check in all reality but did google all the info and none of it was real. He was using this to harass me to deposit and buy same day to make the offer stand so when I took some time to think more about it, he wouldn’t leave me alone until I answered and told him my bank was coming after him and that I would be working to press charges…a bit of a fib but he never tried to call and had his number cancelled all together before the week ended!!!

46. Patricia Osborne RandolphMay 22,2025 at 2:37PM UTC

    This is scary! Pls becareful! If it feels uncomfortable it may be unreal. What do you find about the company or the name of interviewers on your research?