Hi fellow Active Rainers! Just wanted to post a quick post as I was readin on one of my many networks and there was a post about a Virtual Assistant who was targeted for one of those internet scams where they send you a money order for more money than you agreed on and you are to wire funds that you get from cashing the money order to someone for them.
This Virtual Assistant had answered a Craigslist ad for a women who said she was moving to the area and needed someone for only a few hours a week. She checked her out online and viewed her website everything looked good. But turned out to be a scam.
The Virtual Assistant needed additional equipment to complete the work for the potential client the client agreed to purchase the equipment needed. She also agreed to pay a much higher rate than normal, she also hired the Virtual Assistant without a phone call or any discussion. The client also would not (she "forgot") to send the Virtual Assistant her contact info.
Then the Virtual Assistant got an email stating that client had sent her a money order for $2000 she was to keep $100 for the equipment that they discussed, then she was to wire the $1900 to a cousin who needed a heart transplant.
The Virtual Assistant received the money order and called Money Gram to confirm validity of the money order. Money Gram told her that the money orders were no good as they had numbers that had already been previously cashed money orders.
The Virtual Assistant of course did not deposit the money orders but did do a search for the lady by name on the Internet. She did find the lady on Facebook and she had posts on her page that someone was using her name for this scam.
So when we get a lead sometimes checking online is not enough, make sure you get contact info for the lead, speak with them on the phone and follow your gut instincts. If something sounds to good to be true it probably is.
Skye Hawk
At Your Service!
Virtual Assistant Specialists
Phone: (480) 463-4971
Toll Free: (800) 403-2430
Email: Skyeh@atyourservice-va.com
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