In recent times, fraudsters have developed new tactics to exploit freelancers and those seeking remote work. In this detailed examination, I will reveal one particular scam and provide guidance on recognizing such fraudulent schemes before they can cause harm.

Despite the length of this piece, I encourage you to persist through it. The significance of this topic demands your attention, as I will share numerous vital insights that could safeguard you from becoming a victim of scams like these. You’ll learn specific warning signs to watch for if you encounter a similar job offer.

Unfortunately, scammers have long devised new methods to swindle individuals out of their hard-earned money, a practice as old as currency itself. I’ve encountered my fair share of scams, but recently, I nearly fell prey to a scam I hadn’t previously known about—more on that shortly.

Many of us earn a living or supplement our income through various online freelancing platforms like LinkedIn Jobs, Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, Medium, NewsBreak, among others. Additionally, a significant number of individuals search for remote jobs for personal reasons.

Until recently, I was unaware of numerous scams targeting freelancers—especially those that are not immediately recognizable as fraudulent. I consider myself savvy enough to detect many signs of deceitful behavior, and I’ve learned to trust my instincts over the years when something feels off.

That said, I must admit that this particular scam nearly ensnared me—at least for a while—until my instincts kicked in. It is this near miss that prompted me to share my experience with my followers, listeners, and friends.

Here’s how it all started—

Like many of you, I maintain profiles on platforms such as Upwork, LinkedIn, Freelancer, and Fiverr, as many of us are always on the lookout for extra income or unexpected career opportunities.

Last week, I received a seemingly harmless message on LinkedIn from Lime Digital Media—a prominent player in the digital branding arena. Given my history of remote freelance work for Lime, the message didn’t raise immediate suspicions, even though they usually contacted me through Upwork.

This lack of concern was partly due to LinkedIn’s purpose of facilitating professional connections. After exchanging greetings, the sender, a senior executive, inquired if I would be interested in applying for a full-time senior copy editor position at Lime.

Since I had worked with the company multiple times since 2019, I had no reason to doubt the message. It felt like a well-crafted scam designed to exploit my previous experience with them.

After a brief discussion about salary and benefits, I agreed to apply and received a link to a polished job application. I completed the application and submitted it as directed. A few hours later, I received an email congratulating me on landing the job.

I was informed that I would earn $25 per hour during training and $35 afterward, along with full benefits—rates in line with what I had previously charged the company and those listed on my Upwork and Freelancer profiles.

I was also told that my home office needed specific high-end equipment to connect securely to the company’s servers—again, nothing unusual, as my current full-time job requires a similar setup.

To cut a long story short, I completed the necessary HR paperwork, attended a pre-recorded training session, and awaited a Zoom call from an executive to arrange for the office equipment delivery.

During the call, I was surprised to find it was text-only—no video or audio. I thought it strange since we could have communicated directly on LinkedIn. This was my first red flag.

As my suspicions grew over the following moments, I clicked on the link in the requestor’s email and noticed a few irregularities—details that weren’t obvious unless I examined the email address carefully.

The person requesting the chat went by Jamie, but the email address was samantha@lime…… This mismatch raised my suspicions further, prompting me to investigate.

Next, I reviewed previous email communications with Lime staff to identify their typical email extensions. I found that Lime employees usually have accounts ending in @lime……...com. However, the emails I had received were from addresses ending in @lime…….<i>jobs</i>.com.

The oddities didn’t stop there. During our chat, the person claiming to be Jamie explained that the company would send me a check for the office equipment, which I was to deposit using my bank’s mobile app.

This is a clear indication of a scam. Legitimate employers never ask employees to purchase equipment using checks they provide. Instead, they send the necessary equipment directly, pre-loaded with their software.

At this point, I decided to investigate further to understand the extent of the fraud. The scammers had filled out business checks with my information along with Lime’s account details. They emailed me images of a check for $7,590.10, instructing me to deposit it immediately.

They also requested that I inform them of any holds placed by the bank and upload a screenshot of the deposit confirmation for their records.

I had no intention of depositing the check but needed to keep the charade going long enough to gather evidence to report to the authorities. As a true crime reporter, I have a solid relationship with the FBI and submitted the information to them, although I suspect these scammers operate outside the United States and may never face consequences.

It’s crucial to share this information with fellow freelancers and remote workers to help protect them from similar scams.

Now, how can you safeguard yourself from identifying scams like this one quickly?

Before we delve into that, let’s examine the various components of this scam, as there are multiple facets to consider.

Initially, the scam involved posing as a potential employer and requesting a detailed job application, including personal information for background checks. They even asked for photos of my driver's license.

This type of request opens the door for identity theft since the scammers gain access to sensitive information. The request appears legitimate, particularly given the substantial salary associated with the position and the need for trust when installing costly equipment in your home.

Here are some steps to take before providing personal information to a prospective employer:

1. Obtain the hiring manager's name who contacted you.
2. Call the company's main number using publicly available contact information—not the number provided by the supposed hiring manager.
3. Verify that the person contacting you is indeed an employee in that role. Be aware that sophisticated scams may research the company and use real employee names.
4. If the employer checks out, request to speak directly with that individual to confirm they reached out to you.
5. If you reach the person and they affirm your contact, you can confidently proceed with the application. If they deny knowing you or the job, you’ve encountered a scam.

Be extra cautious if you receive unsolicited job offers, and look out for these red flags:

• Any job that requires you to pay during the application process is a scam.
• Any job that sends you a check to deposit and then instructs you to send money elsewhere or purchase supplies is always fraudulent.
• Legitimate employers will never ask for banking information before officially hiring you. Such requests before hiring are illegal.

While this list is not exhaustive, it covers many common scams. I encourage others to share their experiences and tips in the comments to help build a comprehensive resource.

Until then, stay vigilant and safe. Wishing you success in your online endeavors.