I work in the retail merchandising industry. If you’ve ever gone up to someone in a store to ask for help and that tell you they don’t work for the store (but appear to be doing just that) then you’ve likely run into someone like me. Third party merchandising is big industry that hires thousands of part-time merchandisers to go into stores and do a variety of things like stocking shelves, placing signage or taking inventory. So what does this have to do with a car wrap employment scam?
Well as a merchandiser, I receive a large number of emails for part-time employment. As a manager in this industry, I also tap into my company’s applicant data base when I need to hire someone. So sending or receiving an email with an offer of employment is not unusual for me.
Job Offer
On July 30th I received an email from Adsmart Outdoor Advertising Inc. with an offer to drive with my car wrapped in advertising. The subject was 'Car Cover Job'. About 2 years ago, to earn extra money, I applied to at least 2 different companies who do this, but was told there was a long wait list. I thought I’d finally made it to the top of the list.I responded that I was interested, and received an email explaining the details, the payment and requesting information on the age, make, model and condition of my car. I was going to be hired for a 3 month period at $350 per week with advertising for Red Line Energy Drink. (This amount of income was within the norm of what I researched 2 years ago.)
Investigation
The first thing I did was look up Adsmart Outdoor Advertising Inc on the internet. Its co-founder, Thaddeu Bartkowski was even quoted in an article on bankrate.com regarding how to avoid a scam - one that made you pay for the privilege of getting the job. So what I found made it seem legitimate.Instructions
I was sent 2 CVS MoneyGram money orders of $983 each, with instructions to deposit into my account and when cleared, to keep my first week’s pay and pull out the rest to pay the graphic agency/artist. At first I was to send a MoneyGram to Waydes Mckenzie in Hollywood, FL. I thought this a little unusual, but I’ve had companies that do things a little strange at times. And when I received another urgent message with a different graphic agent, Zina Stephanie Pierre, saying the first one would not be able to take on the work, it seemed on the up and up to me.The return address on the USPS priority envelope was Jon D Hensley Temecula Reagent Limited of Temecula California. The name on the money order was Maria Bates.
I deposited the money orders into my account and when they appeared to clear, I pulled out the graphic payment and wired it. What I didn’t know at the time was that the bank released the funds, but that doesn’t mean the money orders cleared.
The Plot Thickens
I received a couple more emails, one of which said they were going to be sending me more money, because the ads would only run a week each. This was nearly a week after the first deposit. It sent up a red flag. On the same day I received additional money orders (Monday, August 12th), I was notified by my bank that the funds were on hold. My bank couldn’t explain why, as it was ‘in process’.The next day I deposited 2 of the 4 new money orders, because I just assumed that there was a mistake. I have dealt with companies that have bounced pay checks, but I knew these were money orders, so they are the same as cash, right? Wrong!
The Scam Revealed
Turns out the money orders were counterfeit. And my bank, Bank of America, wiped out my other two accounts to cover some of the negative in my checking account (even though I don’t have overdraft protection.) My paycheck is coming in tonight, and I have not been successful in stopping it and there is nothing my bank will/can do to help me out.I’ve applied to a credit union for a loan. My credit is not so good, but they did finance my car a little over two years ago through AAA, so I am hoping the loan will be approved so I can at least get back on my feet financially.
I am heading to the police station this morning to file a report and completed a complaint with IC3.gov last night.
How to Avoid & Help Others
Please be sure to get the word out to people. My bank cannot do anything to help me. Because I deposited the money orders, I am responsible. For someone who lives paycheck to paycheck, this is a devastating blow.I did learn a few things that can help:
- Anything can be counterfeited - money orders, checks and even cashiers checks.
- Just because the funds appear available in your account, does not mean that it is. Before pulling money out of your account, be sure to call your bank and see if they have been paid on items you deposit.
- Don’t use an ATM machine or mobile device to deposit this type of transaction. The bank told me that they would have spotted the fraud if I had gone into the bank to make the deposit. (However, after having been burned, I would not trust even that!)
- Use this site: http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue/.
