Veterans Targeted for Bogus Employment Opportunities

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 20:07:07 -0400

The US Chamber of Commerce Hiring our Heroes, Hero 2 Hired(H2H)and Hire Heroes USA, all have had issues where veterans have signed up with the sites and were sent bogus job offers by "scammers".

A fraudulent employer skimmed my data and started spamming me with fake job offers. They would say that my resume from H2H or Hire Heroes USA was reviewed and to interview by downloading a link they provided (to a virus laden program).
When pressed for details, the scammers wouldn't answer.
The other red flag is they asked questions you wouldn't normally be asked unless you were directly in front of an HR employee once you've offered the positioned and you've accepted.

One of the similarities in the email scams is the recipient of the email was asked to download Yahoo Messenger or another similar application to their desktop/laptop, to conduct an online interview. There are 5 major platforms companies use to conduct online interviews, Yahoo isn't one of them. Yahoo email is well know for being easily hacked too.

Any job offers from Rev. Geoffrey McAdams, HR Dept, AMETEK Inc. Recruitment Team, is also a scam. If contacted by Linda Newman of Accura Inc. identifying herself as United Healthcare via text, phone, or email DO NOT reply to her inquiry, it is not a trusted source for employment and is no longer affiliated with Hire Heroes USA.

Here is a sample what the email looks like, I've gotten 3 already:

"Dear Applicant

The Human resources have just reviewed your resume due to the one you posted on http://www.indeed.com.You are now scheduled for an interview with the hiring manager of the company.Her name is Mrs Barbara Kunz,you are required to setup a yahoo mail account (mail.yahoo.com) and a yahoo instant messenger(messenger.yahoo.com).After this process is done,you are to add up her yahoo ID( [login to see] ) to your yahoo buddy list for the interview.add her up now.She is online waiting for you.

Benefits: Health, Dental, Life and AD&D Insurance, Employee Wellness and 401k plans. Paid Time Off and Holidays with Generous Company Discounts. Free mini office equipment and other benefits which will be relayed in the course of this briefing.
Work Time: Part-Time /Full Time

Regards
Human Resources Dept
Swiss Life Group."

Response by SSG John Bacon made Aug 7 at 2014 12:09 AM

SSG John Bacon — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:09:08 -0400

Good to Know, I have had a lot of Issues myself trying to find reliable sources for seeking jobs. It seems to me that unless you want to drive a truck or be a prison guard there aren't many other choices out there. I apply for jobs off of indeed and end up getting some offers from places I never applied with. So I know they are selling off my info.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 7 at 2014 11:17 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 11:17:57 -0400

Damn shame. I've heard of similar schemes, but this is the first I've heard of any specifically targeting Veterans. With all of the various legitimate agencies and organizations now claiming to assist veterans with (you name it), I can see where a Veteran could just 'assume' that it could be for real.
Not sure what, if any, solution there is for this other than due diligence on behalf of the job seeker (such as the way you handled it). It would be nice if there some sort of accreditation that a private organization or company could hold to help to legitimize themselves, but that would probably hurt more than help since I'm sure many would just opt out rather than go through the process.
Thanks for sharing with the community!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Sep 12 at 2014 12:57 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:57:18 -0400

Good info.
One of the things I absolutely refuse to engage for the same reason is anyone who asks for a yahoo chat session as an interview from a major financial institution.\Yahoo is not a credible/ professional business solution for interviews.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 12 at 2014 2:27 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:27:44 -0400

Good intel! Way to look out for your military family SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 17 at 2014 6:34 AM

LTC Hillary Luton — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 06:34:36 -0400

The bad grammar alone would make me suspicious.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 8 at 2014 11:19 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 23:19:52 -0400

That happens often on various job boards. Unfortunately, the responsibility is ours to be vigilant and not just randomly click a link or take someone's word for it because they say they're offering us a job.

Response by Elizabeth Malkin made Oct 16 at 2014 9:39 AM

Elizabeth Malkin — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:39:38 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member thanks for sharing this with us, it is terrible to see the lengths that some people go to to do the wrong thing!

If you, or any RP members, ever have questions about an interview with a civilian organization or are trying to gain a better understanding of how the 'system' works then please feel free to reach out to me and ask any questions that you might have. Capt Brandon Charters is also a great resource for RP members as is the RallyPoint community!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 19 at 2015 4:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 16:12:44 -0400

Thanks for taking the 6 for us.