It is always important to be very vigilant when opening emails and choosing to react to them. We have all gotten the emails in odd text, with bad grammar, and funny logos, asking us to follow a link or call a number. Those are the easy ones to identify as a scam. However, scammers are getting smarter.
Here is a local scam that happened earlier this month. A local Lewis Clark State College Alum received the following email:
“Lewis Clark State College,
Department of Biological Sciences,
Student Services,
Lewis Clark State College, Student Services, urgently requires a
Research Assistant for a Remote Position to earn $370 weekly. The
Student Services Recruitment Specialist, [LC Staff name omitted] is currently
working on Research and would require the services of Students
(Graduate/Undergraduate) of any Department of the Institution to Obtain
a Remote Position in this Research. Slots are limited and acceptance
will be given on a first come first serve basis.
To proceed with the application process, contact [LC Staff name omitted] email
at XXXXXXXX@gmail.com using your alternate email stating your full
name, email address, year of study, and department regarding the job
description and further application requirements.
[LC Staff name omitted],
Professor,
Faculty,
Department of Biological Sciences,
Lewis Clark State College.”
This email used a real professor’s name and what appeared to be their email account. While there are parts of the email that make you stop and wonder, it reads credibly and is a fairly normal job request.
When the applicant responded to the email and was accepted, the applicant was then sent the following email.
“Good Day [applicant’s name],
You are receiving this email because your information has been successfully registered and will be scheduled for weekly payments through the Payroll Department. The Paycheck that covers the expenses for the office supplies you will be working with is attached in this email as a PDF file. A Sales Representative will be assigned to assist you with the purchase of these items once the funds are available from this deposit. Kindly proceed to make a mobile deposit and keep a copy of the deposit once completed for record. Further Assignments as well as your employment documents will be sent once the supplies are delivered. Kindly inform your professor letting him know that you have received this email.
I have outlined Instructions on how to make a mobile deposit below.
Print out and cut it to a ( check size/shape ) At the back of your check endorse by writing your
Full name
For Mobile Deposit Only at *financial institution name*
Signature.
Once you are done, you make a mobile deposit on your mobile banking app and save a copy.
Thank You.
Best Wishes,
Payroll.”
A check was included in a pdf attached to the email. The Check was made out from Lewis Clark State College using the Chesapeake Bank of Maryland. It was to the amount of $2,350.
Luckily this is where the applicant began questioning the validity of the job and check. Upon calling Lewis Clark State College they were informed that this was not legitimate and was in fact a scam.
If you have received this email, or one similar please verify it’s validity before moving forward.
Here are some best practices if you are ever unsure if something is a scam.
- If it is too good to be true- question it.
- You can always call the organization/ business that is sending you information with the contact information provided from the company itself. NOT THE CONTACT INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE EMAIL.
- Do not give out any personal or financial information without verifying the validity of the email.
- Report any scams to the police and the business/ organization that is being misrepresented.