Victim Location 77057
Type of a scam Employment
I recently lost my job and have been applying for employment through LinkedIn. I received a request for an interview via email from Kate McEachern and was asked to complete the interview through Google Hangouts. After the interview, I was sent a check through email and was asked to print out the check. They already knew that I use USAA so I immediately became more suspicious that Military and their spouse could be targeted (because my resume includes "stay at home/work from home"). The lady said to Mobile Deposit the check. I have experience working in the Banking Industry so I went along to confirm the check was a scam. I checked the Routing Number and called the appropriate bank to verify the check/account number as some banks do verify certain checks but this Bank would not assist and I suggested they submit a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report). I also called USAA and spoke to the Supervisor that handles Mobile Deposits and asked him if he was aware of a scam targeting USAA. USAA was definitely concerned and took appropriate actions unlike the "Other" Bank. I googled the address on the check and it belongs to a Mobile Home in the middle of nowhere (which makes sense regarding the many typos coming from an uneducated person). The "Hiring Manager" (Kerstin Knapp) requested proof of the deposit so I could be sent to another website to purchase an Apple laptop with the pre-installed software required for the job. Technically anything under $5,000 should be made available immediately by most banks but I told them a lie about the funds being available tomorrow because some banks would do that depending on certain circumstances. Kate demanded proof of the deposit and is still trying to contact me today. Of course, I did not make the deposit because I know I would still be made liable to my bank for repaying funds on a returned/fraudulent check.
Our conversation went as follows:
Let’s chat on Hangouts!
Verification code is AIG_7716
Kate said-Hello, You are welcome to Marathon Health. I believe you are fully prepared and available for the job briefing/interview?
I said “Yes ma’am”
Kate said-Good..Let’s get started ..I want you to know your swift response and undivided attention will be highly appreciated ..Okay?
I said “okay”
Kate said-THE POSITIONS AVAILABLE ARE : Data entry,office assist,admin clerk,Front desk,sales manager,sales rep,auditing,book keeping,customer care,health care,Marketing,Human Resources Manager, insurance,Executive assist ,payroll clerk,medical biller, dispatcher,Security, medical case manager, case management supervisor, Compliance/Risk Manager, Pension Manager, Project Development , Front desk, Typist Clerk , Recruiter and IT jobs.. positions,others etc Which of the above position is your field of specialty?
I said “Finance industry so I believe I would be a good fit as a payroll clerk or even book keeping if you decide what better suits your company.”
Kate said-Excellent .. Welcome to Marathon Health I am Mrs. Kate McEachern -Marathon Health HR Director, Human Resources & Corporate communications. I am responsible for expanding the venture portfolio of the company and in charge of briefing you about the job position you are yet to occupy and about the company. Please introduce yourself and indicate your full name, Gender and location. Thank you.
I said “Good afternoon, my name is First Last. I am a Female and I currently reside in Houston, TX. I am a Military Veteran as well”
Kate said-It’s a pleasure communicating with you..The name of the company is Marathon Health (Medical device company) .Just follow the briefing and you can ask questions when i am through. Let me know when you have finished reading every line. You will be allowed to ask questions later.With each line just respond with an OK or YES…Okay?
I said “ok”
Kate said-Marathon Health is one of the nation’s leading providers of employer-based health services. We serve businesses throughout the United States, providing a different kind of healthcare program that focuses on total population health management and health risk reduction.
Marathon Health promotes a culture of health and wellness in everything we do. It is for this reason we seek to hire individuals who embrace wellness and model healthy behaviors in their own lives. We are proud to be a drug and tobacco free company. We value the richness diversity brings to our workforce and are committed to being an equal opportunity employer and provider (EOE).
The company is setting up new locations all over the USA the closest office location to you will be completed estimated three months from now. The position and job done for now will be done from home till the office is completed and ( NOTE THAT ): As soon as you are confirmed qualified, the company will provide you with complete office equipments to setup a mini office at home. You will be assigned to the nearest office as soon as its completed, but that is if you are confirm qualified and accepted for this position..
Let me know once you are done reading..
I said “ok”
Kate said-Alright good ..You will be working from home & online for now, the working hours are flexible and you can choose to work from anywhere of your choice. The regular pay is $45.00/hr, training is $20.00/hr, working 6-8 hrs daily and 30-40 hrs weekly, you will be working from home for a month for the main time until the office location is decided. If you are employed you are going to be working as a part time/full employee and not as an independent contractor… Do you understand ?
I said “yes”
Kate said-We also offer these competitive advantages: Competitive Salary *401k Savings plan w/ company matching * Pension plan * Paid vacation time * Paid Holiday time * Medical, Prescription Drug, & Dental Coverage *Tuition Assistance Program * Employee Assistance Program * Wellness Programs * On-site Fitness Centers * Bonus Plan and more! You would be eligible to Benefits after 1(one) month of working with the company.OKAY ?
I said “ok”
Kate said-Next are your interview questions. I’m going to ask you some few questions, you are to answer each questions briefly and accordingly..also you’re to end every answer with (DONE) ,Letting me know so i can proceed with my next question. Understood?
I said “ok”
Kate said
1-Have you ever had any experience working from home or online before ?
2-Are you currently employed ?
3-Will you be able to devote 5 hours of your time or more to Our company ?that is if you are given the chance to work with us ?
I said “1. Yes 2. No 3. Yes DONE”
Kate said
4-What do you understand by privacy and code of conduct ?
5-In your current or last position, what were your most significant accomplishments ? In your career so far ?
6-How hard working and productive will you be for our company when you start working with us ?
I said “4. During my time in the Military and working in the financial field, it is extremely important to deal with sensitive information ethically and I follow all necessary laws to uphold the code of conduct thoroughly. DONE. 5. Last position, i worked so hard and always asked what to do next in order to get the company ahead from its back log. DONE. 6. I like to prove myself as a valuable asset and to show you have made the right decision in hiring me by completing all assignments as required and anything else to get your company ahead. DONE”
Kate said
• What are your philosophy towards work .?
•Give me 3 genuine and specific reasons why you should be hired by the company ?
• Have you ever been interviewed online before by a different company ?
• In a grade of %100 how much can this company depend on you for your loyalty,diligence,hard work,team spirit and sincerity ?
I said “My philosophy towards work is to complete projects assigned to me and my strong work ethic proves that I do not slack off in anyway.
3 Genuine reasons why your company should hire me are 1) I have experience with sensitive and classified information and handle the needs of customers while maintaining the positive image of your company; 2) I don’t have much experience in the healthcare industry but I am a fast learner; and 3) I am honest and I always do what is ethically and morally right. Yes, I have been interviewed online before by my previous employer. Your company can definitely depend on me 100% for anything your company may need and to accomplish the tasks with a smile on my face and help out other co-workers as needed. DONE”
Kate said
7- How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
8-Can you work under pressure?
9- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
10-Do you have a printer, scanner and fax machine?
I said “7) I would work for your company as long as I am needed. 8) I can work under pressure without any issues. 9) I see myself advancing in my career (with your company if possible) with all my hard work I will do”
Kate said
11-How would you like to be Paid ? Weekly Or Bi-Weekly •What means of Payment do you prefer ? Check OR Direct Deposit ?
12-What is the name of your service provider and is it postpaid/prepaid ?
13-What is the name of your Bank you Operate with to see if it tallies with the company’s official salary payment account That is needed for documentation and NOTE that the company is not asking for your bank Information but the name of your bank.
I said “10) I do have a printer, and scanner but not a fax machine. 11) I would prefer direct deposit and paid weekly or bi-weekly; which ever is convenient for the company. 12) Service provider is Xfinity. 13) The name of my bank is Wells Fargo. DONE”
Kate said-I believe you have an account with USAA ?
I said “Yes I do have that as well”
Kate said-We have some military workers and most of them uses that institute , You would be making use of that bank okay?
I said, “Yes, I would use USAA for payment.”
Kate said-Alright You’ve been impressive so far. For me, you’ll be a perfect fit I just hope the company gives you a chance to show what you are made of.
I said “Thank you and I hope so. What is the next step in the interview process?”
Kate said-I need you to hold on online because i need to forward our conversation to the Head Dept to enable them see if you are committed and good for this job. I need you to standby your PC or Phone, i will get back to you with your interview result in a jiffy….. Understood.?
I said “Yes, thank you”
Kate said-I will be back shortly, Kindly Hold Online .
Kate said-I am back now with the result for the interview is on my desk…
I said “I am here. What is the status?”
Kate said-CONGRATULATION…… Your performance ensured you had a good score eligible for enrollment into our weekly routine training programme. You scored (91 percent out of 100 and above average) on the interview questions answered, This is to confirm that you have been approved to be a staff of Marathon Health.Having reached the requirements, passed the interview and recommended for the Job by the Board of Directors on employment.Also they will put you through our company’s guidelines under US human Resources Laws and Regulations., You are now given a chance to show your commitment,charisma,diligence and be a productive employee.
I said “That’s great! Thank you so much for the opportunity! When do I start?”
Kate said-You would be needed to start up ASAP ..Congratulations again and welcome to our company, hope you will be a good asset to the company?
I said “The soonest I would be able to start is Monday, March 9th.”
Kate said-Alright ..Position offer-documents and your working paper’s. Also they will put you through our company guidelines under US Human Resources Laws and Regulations You’ll earn $45.00/HR,you will receive your pay Via check or direct deposit and will be paid weekly. For the main time you will paid via check for the first two weeks of employment, then you will be paid via direct deposit..Okay?
I said “okay, sounds great; what can I do next?”
Kate said-You will undergo two weeks training(Paid Training) and will be trained for 4hrs daily and will be trained both online and in person. Your supervisor will contact you as soon as you have all working materials and also on how to commence training and the both of will decide on a location before training will begin.
I said "Will I be receiving the work materials via email or in person with the supervisor?"
Kate said-You will be receiving your duties online everyday and i will always be online to assist you with any difficulties.You will be receiving your W4 paper work, Company HandBook and HR document during your orientation and training from your supervisor, you are to fill,sign and send back to us,we take out taxes….Okay ?
I said “okay sounds more than easy enough.”
Kate said-You will need some Data entry/Accounting software and also a Automated tracker to commence your training and orientation and also you need the software to get started with work…the work of the time tracker is to calculate your hours worked since this is an online work from home.
I said “I can download the software with no problems. I will be out of town all next week but I can use these next few days to gather the materials and meet with the supervisor before I leave Sunday.”
Kate said-LIST OF SOFTWARES: Agilent version A.6.1.1, A.7.1.1 and A.7.1.2 Affymetrix version MAS 5 (5.0, 5.1), GCOS (1.0, 1.1), and dChip 1.3 GenePix version 3.0, 4.1, and 5.3 NimbleScan version 2.1.16 SpotReader version 1.0 Peach Tree version 2013 Premium US Patent Single Users Pack BS 1 Accounting software.
Kate said Are you familiar with the software’s?
I said “Is there links on your website to download the software? Would it be paid for by the company during the Training process or would it be an out-of-pocket expense?”
Kate said-No worries you will be trained ..The funds for the software will be provided for you by the company via check ….. Make sure you use them as instructed for the software and i will refer you to the vendor you are to purchase them from ..You will get started with work ASAP, The company will provide you an Apple Laptop with a fast internet connection will be coming along with the working materials you need to start working with. Also your working materials has to come along with the company’s official logo on it okay?
I said “okay”
Kate said-You will be issued a check of which you will have to use the funds to purchase your needed working materials from the Vendor…I just got an update from the Head Dept and you are required to make purchase immediately so you can listed among the next employee which would receive materials Noted this has nothing to do with the starting date ..I believe you know how to carry out a Mobile Deposit making use of your Bank App ?
I said “Yes I do know how to use the Mobile Deposit feature”
Kate said-Alright ..I will have the accounting manager issue your Check and once done i will have it E-mailed to you so you can carry out a Mobile Deposit ..What is your Mobile deposit limit ?
I said “My Mobile deposit limit is $10,000.00”
Kate said-Also according to the Head Dept. your Sign up Bonus of $200 is included in the Check ,Which you will be deducting once the funds have been made available .Okay ?
I said “okay, deduct $200 from the check and the rest will go towards the software programs.”
Kate said-How do you want your name to appear on the check ?
I said “First Lastname”
Kate said-Alright ..Notify me once you receive the check in your Email ( t***@gmail.com ) An instruction would be attached as well make sure you follow the instruction ..
Kate said-The check has been sent .
I said “I received the check. That’s quite a bit of money, how much does the software costs in total? I called my bank before I deposited it to find out if there would be a hold first and they said it would be a two day hold.
When would I be required to download the software? Can it wait for the check to clear?”
Kate said-The software’s are expensive that is why the company decided to cover up the cost .. You really did not get the message .. The funds for the software will be provided for you by the company via check which we did so you dont have to download any software ..
I said “I understand, I will download the software once the funds become available in my account.”
Kate said-No The company will provide you an Apple Laptop with a fast internet connection will be coming along with the working materials you need to start working with.which is your software that means you would be paying for it ..
I said “okay should I download the software the day I start training? Or the software will already be downloaded on the Apple laptop
Where do I purchase the Apple laptop that would already have the software installed?”
Kate said-The software will already be downloaded .. Once the funds are available i would instruct you on that..
I said “okay”
Kate said-But i believe funds would be made immediately due to it is a company check make deposit and let me know once dome
I said “Due to not having enough funds in my account, only $400 is available today and the rest of the funds will be available tomorrow.”
Kate said-Alright .. Let me have prove of deposit Take a snap shoot and have it attached on here for verification..
Kate said-Good morning how are you doing today? Missed call from Kate 8:55 AM. Kate said-Hello are we connected ?
End of conversation.
I have a similar experience I’m going through right now, I wasn’t quick enough to suspect until I tried depositing the check and my bank shut it down to check it for fraud.
I’m also in Houston, but not a veteran or anything, so I think they’re targeting around our area.