Consumer Alert
Job offer through Telegram Messenger? Not so fast
With more opportunities to work remotely, it’s common to find and interview for jobs from the comfort of your home. But scammers are finding ways to take advantage — including using instant messaging apps like Telegram Messenger for recruitment and interviews. Wondering how it plays out? Read on.
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Let’s say someone saying they’re a recruiter for a well-known company reaches out about a customer service position. They say Telegram Messenger is the only way they communicate, so you jump on the app to chat. After you text and answer some personal questions, you get the job — and a check to set up your home office.
Time to celebrate and deposit the check? Not quite. It’s a scam. Not only is there no job, those questions you answered might put you at risk for identity theft. And the check was a fake, too. If you deposited it, the bank will take the money back as soon as they realize it was a fake check. Even if you followed the scammer’s instructions and sent money on to someone.
To stay clear of this and other job scams:
- Verify job openings before you apply. Visit the official website for the organization or company you’re applying for. Don’t use the site the caller gives you. Find the real site yourself. Most have a “career opportunities” or “jobs” section.
- See what others are saying. Look up the name of the company plus words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
- Protect your personal information. Be skeptical of anyone who demands personal information right away. Legitimate employers won’t hire you before meeting you virtually or in-person.
- Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know. An honest employer will never send you a check and then tell you to send them part of the money. That’s a scam. Every time.
If you spot a job scam, the FTC wants to know about it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. And find more advice at ftc.gov/jobscams.
In Messenger and Face book. There are a lot of criminals taking money and peoples houses. Your good company should look and arrest these very bad people. Please find away to arrest those bad people. Facebook does not and messenger does not.
In reply to In Messenger and Face book… by William Shannon
because something happened to the Oppo A31 phone that I used before and I didn't use it until now, I deleted the app and updated the phone, what I'm worried about now is the Facebook I don't go into the facebook because I'm not sure about the Facebook system
In reply to In Messenger and Face book… by William Shannon
It's been five years since I've been able to claim something because of a system problem that seems like someone blocked it and now I have financial problems for....
Yes this happened to me twice and will never attempt this type of offer again
Very good information. Act in haste, repent at leisure.
Thank you. Very helpful. I had a person offering jobs to expat Americans on Facebook Marketplace and when I asked details on the company website I never got an answer. I see now that probably was a scam..
I got scammed by the company MTcom. They make a prepaid task then the amount they are asking make higher and higher.
In reply to I got scammed by the company… by Jahira
What happened to you? It happend to mw also. Can i talk to you?
In reply to I got scammed by the company… by Jahira
What happen to you? Can I ask for help if it is possible to me to recover my money?
In reply to I got scammed by the company… by Jahira
I had same experience with two sites Jacada travel and utest. I was asked to complete pretask and give money for negativ num. I lost alot of money and i Dont know if i would be able to get A refund
In reply to I had same experience with… by Jamila
Hello Jamila, i was also a victim of this jacada travel. Did you get your money back?
This just happened to me..
I received a text for a data entry job I applied for on indeed. I was told install telegram app. The man gave me the company name and location and it all checked out, but I am still skeptical. I have tried to contact the company Taskus, it seems to be a ligitimate company, but I know this could still be a scam. He said they are sending me a check by ups to deposit and purchase supplies with and I am afraid the check would be bad and then I will loose money. How do I find out if this is a scam or not. The only thing he has asked for is my email, name address and phone number. Can he still steal my identity not having my social security number
In reply to I received a text for a… by sheila kelly
I am experienced the same thing. Someone, who seemed local, posted on Facebook page for my city. Stating her company was looking for WFH people. I messaged her and she sent me a link to use for telegram. I did not use the link but looked up the telegram handle. Ended up going through the interview process all while researching the company (Capital Typing). Legit company but only a couple jobs posted that weren’t related to what I was interviewing for. Thankfully, I did not give the interviewer any personal info. Ended up deleting telegram as I don’t use it anyway
In reply to I received a text for a… by sheila kelly
Same happed to me but I didn’t give my ssc or bank acct # either so I’m wondering what they can do with the info they have.
In reply to I received a text for a… by sheila kelly
Don't do it!! I've had this happen to me by another company. They get you to deposit a check into your account and trust me that'll mess you up with your bank. It's a scam. Anything that has anything to do with such a thing is a scam!
There are lots of people who are loosing money on telegram apps cause they are asking to deposit money. No one knows if it's safe or not.
My wife almost got bit looking for a job
From GenesisCare company
Watch out for a company that says they are recruiters called Eve M Solutions. Total scam
In reply to Watch out for a company that… by S. Hogan
Hi can they still do something illegal or steal my identity or hack my bank if i used a empty account? 🤔😱
Got me too, i used a empty account. Then got paid a little, at R285 was asked to pay R100. Fine, I paid, then Got paid Another R200 . Then a task to pay R400. I had to transfer a little bit, I paid, 😔 now I'm back to 0. They took me off group and don't respond to questions...Didn't loose "my" money but question is: can they still do something illegal if i stopped communicating???