Job Scammers in Katy Are After Your Bank Account

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

July 5, 2018

Ashley Lancaster

If you're searching for a new job, beware of the opening listed online for "Amazon Financial Analyst." Katy Magazine shares how to tell the difference between a legitimate post and the scam.

Katy job-seekers should double check the legitimacy of one particular job opening found online recently for a "Financial Analyst" at Amazon.

Amazon is a popular job search in the Katy area because a new fulfillment center is being built and recently announced that they are hiring 400 new staff members for this location, but one listing in particular is absolutely false.

We contacted Amazon's Corporate headquarters for an update on the situation.

"Amazon is aware of this situation, and while we do have work-from-home opportunities, this is not one of our initiatives. We are doing what we can from our side to pull down these listings," says Kayla Hansen, Strategic Communications Specialist for Amazon.

What It Looks Like

Below is a copy of the bogus contract, sent by an "Alexander Solomon."

What You'll Get

Applicants who are being targeted by the scammers will receive:

Phone calls from a (509) area code phone number. In this case, (509) 320-4046.

An email of congratulations from "Solomon", letting them know that they have been hired without any interview process at all, or with minimal phone and/or email correspondence.

Two contracts via email, one for Full-Time employment, and one for Part-Time employment.

"Candidates" are given the option to determine their work schedule, and are asked to fill out and sign the agreement and return via email.

The applicant will be asked to provide a copy of their photo ID, a photo of themselves, street address, and bank account information for "Direct Deposit" purposes.

The job offer includes a work-from-home, 1099-basis, full-time employment contract for $5,800 per month salary with 5% commission, full benefits and retirement. Hint: If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

WARNING: The official procedure for Amazon Inc. new-hires is to obtain bank account information ONLY after an extensive interview process, and usually occurs during an in-person employee orientation. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you email or text message your bank account information to anyone claiming to be a recruiter or Human Resources rep.

One close-call candidate became suspicious of the offer when he was hired on the spot, and without meeting anyone either by Skype or in person. The red flag was when he was asked for his bank account information sent via email.

"Something just didn't sit right with me, so I called Amazon's Corporate office and was informed that this was a popular job scam, and not to give out any personal information," says Ted Lawrence.

After his phone call with Amazon, Lawrence called the "recruiter" and informed him of what he learned. Mr. "Solomon" hung up and refused to answer or return his calls.

Hansen encourages all candidates interested in jobs at the Houston or Katy locations to visit amazondelivers.jobs to apply.

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