Victim Location 77034
Type of a scam Employment
I was initially contacted via email after applying for a work from home job known as Halter Group, but after contacting the company directly I discovered the emails were from someone impersonating the president and the HR admin by name, they even mailed me a check without me ever signing any employee agreement or actually speaking with me over the phone. That was the biggest red flag that encouraged me to contact the company directly. The emails are pasted below (I removed my information, but left all of theirs):
Thank you for applying
Feb 29
via Monster
Dear (Name removed),
We have received your resume submission for the Hotel Front Desk Agent position.
Halter Group: Employment Confirmation
Markus Mettler
to me
Hello (Name removed),
How are you today? I want to inform you that you have secured the position to work with me and your contact information was received and has been documented, Welcome to Halter Group!
Kindly confirm your name and accurate mailing address. As they say, punctuality is the soul of business. I have attached a picture of me to this email so you can add a face to my name, I believe promptness is key if any business is to thrive. Please note that we will meet as soon as I return back to the state which should be less than 2 weeks. I will send you a schedule soon with a list of assignments to complete and I will also send you some funds to complete the assignments as well as your salary. Kindly confirm the payment can be mailed to the address you provided and please include an apartment number if required.
Please fill out the form below.
Are you eligible to work in the United States?
How often do you check your email: ______
Days/Hours Available: Hours Available: from ____________
Do you receive text messages on your cell? (If Yes, Confirm cell #)____________
What date are you available to start work? _______
I await your response, HR will send you an employment agreement form to sign and payroll will contact you to have a paycheck sent to you for assignments as well as your salary. Always check your spam/bulk folder so you don’t miss out any of my messages.
Thanks in anticipation of your prompt response. Text me at the number below to confirm this message. I am looking forward to working with you.
Best regards,
Markus Mettler
CEO
Halter Group
Text: (510) 543-1914
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, may contain privileged and confidential information and/or Protected Health Information (PHI) intended solely for the use of Halter Group and the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, printing or copying of this email message and/or any attachments is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete this email and any attachments.
On Fri, Feb 26, 2016 at 10:21 AM, (Name Removed) wrote:
Good morning,
I was wondering if you have a website, so I could learn a little more about Halter Group.
As requested my contact information is listed below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
(Name Removed)
On Friday, February 26, 2016, Human Resources wrote:
Dear Applicant,
Your email was received, you have been shortlisted as a possible candidate to work for Halter Group.
Please find attached a word document with details of our company and a few questions. Kindly check and respond with the requested details in an email. You do not need to respond with the word file.
Thanks in anticipation of your prompt response.
Best Regards
Brigitte Lombardo
Human Resources Dept
Halter Group
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it, may contain privileged and confidential information and/or Protected Health Information (PHI) intended solely for the use of Halter Group and the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, printing or copying of this email message and/or any attachments is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete this email and any attachments.