Spotting an Interview Scam

I've been on the job hunt for a bit now. After being out of the full-time market for a few years, I'm ready! 

Imagine my excitement when I got an e-mail from a company that they wanted to interview me right away. They sent me a link to log in where the digital interview would take place and gave me a code I could use to verify my spot. 

I ironed out my interview clothes and did a quick search and found their website so I could be ready.

But on the day of the interview, I quickly found I was being roped into a scam.

Even Digitally, an Interview Should be Face-to-Face

It made sense that this would be a digital interview since it was a remote job listing. However, they asked me to sign onto Google Hangouts to use the messenger system. No video. No call. No voice. Just text. If your interviewer can't bother to pick up a phone or use video, that's a red flag.

They Ask Questions they Shouldn't Have to

Yup. This interviewer asked me questions like "What's your name?"
What's my name? Um, if you had my resume and requested an interview, shouldn't you know my name? Red. Flag.

Little to No Digital Footprint

A legit business would have some type of digital footprint. A website, a social media page, at least a Yelp review.

Actually, this one had me for a minute. I was able to find a website quickly (Abcodia.com). And I suppose this could be a very legit website with a very legit company. However, the website is clearly UK based. The person I talked to had a @USAbcodia.

A few Google searches and I found no evidence of Abcodia in the United States. Nor could I find it in the BBB or in any online reviews. I searched the interviewer's name (Elisa McCormick) as well and couldn't find any matches that made sense.

They Want You to Pay

I've always heard if a company wants you to pay for something upfront, to run away in the opposite direction. Well, Elisa didn't ask me to pay for anything. However, she did ask if I had very specific hardware (a 14' Macbook, specific scanner, fax machine, and printer you can't find in local stores.)

When I said I did not have those specifics, she said it was no problem and they would send me a check. A brief moment, I was excited I'd get to have brand new supplies to stockpile my at-home office. But then I thought about it. There's no reason why I would have to have that exact Macbook, that exact printer, that exact scanner, or that exact fax machine. And there are several "send a check" scams out there. So even if she didn't want me to use my own money, perhaps she was asking me to use stolen money... or a check that would bounce... or whatever.

They Won't Give You a Chance To Ask Anything

It's a professional courtesy to give the option to ask any questions and clear up any misunderstanding. However, this Elisa (or Lisa as she briefly mentioned she wants to be called) never once gave me that option. And when I did ask a question, the answer was quick, moving right along without any much explanation.

Rapid Fire Questions

Typically, an interviewer asks one question at a time, right? It only makes sense to give time for a person to answer.

Elisa literally sent me a list of about 20 questions rapid fire and expected me to aswer them all. Oh, and it was timed. So if I didn't answer them within that time limit, I forefitted the job.

"Passing" the Interview

After I answered these questions, She asked me to sit still for about 30 minutes. After that time, she came back with "congratulations, you've passed the interview stage. We welcome you to the team." Doesn't it seem fishy to hire someone so quickly? Without seeing their face? Or hearing their voice? Or taking more than 30 minutes to think if they are a good fit for the entire team?

Time Crunch

After I had "passed," Elisa told me she would send me files to fill out via email. She would send them 8:00am the next day and I would need to fill them out and fax them back over by 10:00am the same day.

Two hours to read all the fine print and legalese, sign it all, and fax it back? But wait.. I still don't have the exact printer she wanted nor the exact fax machine. That time crunch is not only too demanding, but it's also quick enough to make you feel a bit rushed, possibly not questioning what you're filling out or who you're giving your personal information to.

No Answers

By the end of this entire interview, my warning bells were going nuts. So many red flags showed up. But I still wanted to know how Elisa would respond to some pretty tough questions thrown at her. We were supposed to "meet" through Google Hangouts the next morning, but I wanted to send her some messages to answer in the meantime. I asked:

"Why is your email USAbcodia? I don't see a US division of the company anywhere."
"In fact, I can't find Abcodia in the BBB. Why is that?"
"What if I can't find the exact hardware needed for this position? It doesn't look like anyone local carries them in-store"
"Do you go by a different name on social media? I can't seem to find you anywhere."
"I need more than 2 hours to fill out paperwork. Is that possible?"

Guess what? I never heard back with any type of answers. 

Confirmation: Scam.

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Want to read more? Find me on my website here: www.AmandaBJaeger.com