I'll go ahead and say what the scam was in case it'll head off someone else:
The job posting on Craigslist talked about processing forms from home. I applied. I got an email explaining about the process further ("You will be processing applications, as well as filling out forms in specific company databases... You will get paid $ 20.00 for each application completed.... When you have been accepted as a Data Entry Specialist you are considered an Independent Contractor" etc., etc., lots of legitimate-sounding details), and asking for $12 to cover training fees;
Quote:There is a one- time non refundable fee for the training
package. This also includes all processing fees and training costs. We offer
training for the full length of your employment. This is a one-time fee, and
there will be no other charges to you. We must accept this fee to cover
training costs, processing fees , as well as to ensure that only that only
serious applicants apply.
I cocked an eyebrow, and did a bunch of research. No BBB complaints, real website. Figured that I was willing to sacrifice $12 to see what was up. PayPal said, "This recipient is currently unable to receive money." More cocked eyebrows. (Found out later that was more of a cause for alarm than I realized at the time.) Sent 'em an email saying, uh, hello? Got a response from them:
Quote:"We had to disable payments through paypal for a short period of time. Everything is back and fully operational at this point in time and there are many job openings still available. We look forward to helping you out along the way; we have just been really bogged down around the office. Sorry for the delay."
Eyebrow was disappearing into my scalp at this point, but went ahead. (Found out later that only PayPal disables payments, and only because of possible wrongdoing.) Then a bit ago got the promised training materials...
Quote:SECTION 1: GETTING STARTED
To get you started making money, we have some simple steps for you to follow. Your first steps are to place ads similar to the one you responded to.
FIRST STEP: HOW TO PLACE ADS
In order for anyone to respond to you about this opportunity, you must place an ad on the Internet, again, similar to the one you responded to. Use one of your own or one from the Reference Section A. You may need to retype it and put it into your own words. You can place your ads on Yahoo, Google, just to name a few. There are literally hundreds of places to place your ads for free! Remember, the more ads you place, the more exposure you will have and the more orders you will have emailed to you. I cannot stress this enough: DO a search in any major search engine like Google.com or Yahoo.com for "free job postings" or "free job sites" and that should give you more than enough to get started. When you're on those sites, always look at their "links" and this will give you opportunity for more sites. Each site will walk you through the process of placing your own ad. Some places will require you to register with them. You will need to do this to post your ads. The information that you provide them with will not be in your ad unless you want it to be. You will definitely get responses, and you definitely be processing orders right away! When I got started, I got responses four hours after I placed my first ad. Believe me, everyone's mailboxes are always full.
So, got that? The scam is that you post the job announcement I responded to and then get $12 (or whatever -- their lovely "sample letter" suggested $20) for each person who falls for the scam and sends money for training materials.
PayPal and BBB both require that you contact the company first before complaining to them (as I found when I started to file my complaints), so I wrote to the company saying nice scam, I don't expect to get any money back but for the record, here's what I'm doing. [Reporting to PayPal + BBB] If you DO happen to refund the money, it might give you time for more "training fees" to come in before you're shut down for good.
Mutter.
A particularly scurrilous scam.