LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — College students could get a lesson in cybercrime courtesy the latest scam to hit campuses across the country.
It begins with an email in your school inbox, alerting you to a job that aligns perfectly with your class schedule. It promises remote work with flexible hours and quick pay. The email will look like it came from a campus job board, a professor, or student services, but it’s fake.
Respond, and they immediately hire you. There’s no interview or any explanation of your regular duties. You do get a check in the mail along with instructions to deposit it. You’re told to spend part of the money to buy gift cards, to wire money to other people, or to buy “job supplies.” You’re told you can keep the rest as long as you keep following instructions.
But then, the check bounces. You’re not only on the hook for the amount of the check, but also all the fees associated with any returned transactions. To make matters worse, the scammers now have all the sensitive information you provided as part of their fake application and hiring process.
Verification is the key to protection in these types of scams. So do your homework!
Always make sure you know with whom you’re sharing personal information before you share it.
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