Seemed like a legitimate company at first, though I was skeptical that I was to create an yahoo account and supposed to have an online interview with a "Mrs Kathleen Moore". However, I went through with the interview.
Right off the bat, the person interviewing me wasn't using proper punctuation and making small, slight grammar mistakes, which, to me, is an automatic red flag.
The questions felt legitimate, at first, until I got to questions 10-12:
10)How would you like to be Paid ? Weekly Or Bi-Weekly
11)What means of Payment do you prefer ? check OR Direct Deposit ?
12)What is the name of the Bank you operate with ?
It isn't usual that an interview would ask such personal questions. Against better judgement, I continued.
"After you have deposit it into your account the funds will be made available the following day for you to withdraw and make purchase to the vendor who is the shipping agent who we have been buying software from for many years now....and means of payment accepted by the vendor is via western union which i will be providing you with the vendors information which you will be using in purchasing the softwares"
I have heard to never trust Western Union transfers. This company was saying they would send me a check for the software I would need to buy and simply the act of depositing this check would be a test of my accounting ability.
There was a lot of discussion about the process of depositing these checks, more so than there was on what the company does or other duties of the job.
After a 5 minute pause for this interviewer to "send our message to HR," I was hired, and greeted with an emoticon.
- kathleenm00: I'm back, Congratulations the company has decided to give you a chance for you to work for the company and will like to see your diligence,Charisma,Committement to this job.
Myself and the entire Board of Directors welcome you to Abacus Limited
- Me: Thank you for the opportunity! May I ask a few questions?
- kathleenm00: ok
- Me: What is the company website?
- kathleenm00: our website is under construction at the moment.. due to some upgrade from last year
- Me: Also, where are your offices located, and may we schedule a time to Skype?
- Me: Or, preferably, have an in person meeting?
- kathleenm00: i am a very busy person
- kathleenm00: sorry we dont skype
- Me: Does the company have a phone number?
- kathleenm00: Yes
- Me: May I have it?
- kathleenm00: You will have it on your next task
- Me: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, but I am going to have to turn down this job offer.
- kathleenm00: ok
- kathleenm00: have a nice day
There is a company with a website called Abacus Limited, but they are based out of Cyprus. I am not sure if these businesses are associated or if this online scam is pretending to be this company.
Overall, do not give any information to this company.