The letter is meant to look like a legitimate offer of employment from New York City-based distributor The Sourcing Group.
Instead, it’s a scam intended to dupe unsuspecting job seekers.
Now, The Sourcing Group is sounding the alarm on the fraud, which federal authorities report is an increasingly common con.
The company has posted what it called an urgent message on the homepage of its website saying that the job offers are not from TSG. Indeed, the firm is also a victim, with its identity being spoofed by would-be swindlers.
TSG said the fraudsters are using its company name in letters that extend offers of employment. It appears the criminals have been pushing the communications out to students in technical classes and job seekers who posted online that they are open to work.
“Contact names of our officers or other random employees throughout the company are listed, as well as valid office locations” in the employment offers, TSG shared.
However, these communications aren’t coming from TSG and are “totally fraudulent,” executives said. “These do not originate anywhere within TSG, but use information that is publicly available,” the company said in its warning message. “We have no active offers of employment pending.”
It wasn’t clear as of this writing if any of the targeted individuals had fallen prey. ASI Media and Print & Promo Marketing contacted TSG for additional information, but hadn’t received a response.
A Con That’s on the Rise
Federal authorities warn that scams aimed at hoodwinking job seekers and related “business opportunity” cons are increasing. Typically, the intent is to get the victim to send money and/or sensitive personal information.
Data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) indicates there were 108,459 business and job opportunities scams reported in the United States in 2023. Victims were swindled out of an estimated $500.8 million combined, with the median loss put at $2,169. In the first quarter of 2024, losses reported from nearly 27,500 such schemes had already totaled $134 million, FTC data showed.
When it comes to targeting job seekers, it’s most common for a scammer to approach an unwitting victim through online job-search platforms including LinkedIn and/or email, authorities shared.
The FTC said some ne’er-do-wells will even send invitations to virtual interviews and a briefing that describes details about the job and benefits. If the victim remains on the hook, they may get an offer letter that boasts a wickedly deceptive veneer of validity, featuring the company’s name, logo and other seemingly legitimate identifying information.
“After they offer you the job…you’ll get an invoice – it’s fake – for equipment like a computer they’ll order for you, but tell you to pay for using cash, Zelle or PayPal,” said Larissa Bungo, a senior attorney with the FTC. “They promise to reimburse you, but they won’t – because it’s a scam.”
In other iterations, scammers may trick individuals into paying for starter kits, training or certifications – or even have the worker start doing what is ultimately bogus preliminary work, pay them, and then ask the victim to send money back due to overpayment. The check from the supposed “employer” will of course bounce, and the victim will owe the bank the full amount of that fake check, while the swindler makes off with the “overpayment.”
The scam isn’t necessarily just about a direct cash grab. “Instead, they’ll ask for your personal information, like your driver’s license, Social Security or bank account number, to fill out ‘employment paperwork,’” Bungo said. “And they want it before they’ll answer your questions about the job. But if you share it, they might steal your identity.”
Take Heed
Authorities offered tips to help job seekers and others who may be targeted from getting victimized. These include never paying for the promise of a job or start-up costs related to it.
“Honest employers will never ask you to pay upfront fees for a job or for equipment,” Bungo said. “And they won’t ask you to pay them using cash, Zelle or PayPal. Anyone who does is a scammer.”
Stay vigilant: Con artists are posing as #promoproducts suppliers, targeting industry distributors with a malware-fueled scam.https://t.co/NbVzJB8yDh@asicentral
— Chris Ruvo (@ChrisR_ASI) March 22, 2024
It’s also a good practice to undertake a bit of online sleuthing. “Look up the name of the company or the person who’s hiring you, plus the words ‘scam,’ ‘review’ or ‘complaint,’” the FTC advised. “See if others say they’ve been scammed by that company or person.”
Even if there’s nothing indicating a scam, it’s still a smart practice to never provide personal information until you do research. Find the company’s legitimate phone number and contact them directly, asking to speak to the person recruiting you and/or human resources.
Scams aimed at or involving the print and promotional products industry have been on the rise in recent years. In some cases, con artists pose as buyers for legitimate businesses and institutions and try to get distributors to provide products for which the crooks will never pay. In other instances, would-be crooks try to trick promo pros into clicking malware-infested files in emails supposedly sent by industry suppliers. Sadly, these are just a few of the numerous examples.
