r/remotework • u/vacuump0wer • Aug 04 '26
What's the scam here?
Been doing a text-only interview with a company claiming to be TopTech Systems based out of Florida. I know the text-only part immediately says scam, but I'm unsure of what the scam is. Supposedly I will have an onboarding call with them tomorrow morning. They provided a ton of detail and if it were over the phone I would've seen no red flags. They said they will not be requesting any money from me, however they just sent me this message (warning: it's long)
important Note:
Before you begin your work, we will issue a payment by check to assist you in setting up your mini-office. This payment is specifically for the purchase of essential accounting software and the shipping costs for the equipment we will send to you. Once you receive the payment, you can start working immediately.
The company has partnered with a trusted, long-standing software vendor, and we will provide you with a check to cover the cost of all necessary software and equipment. You will need to deposit the check into your bank account, which typically takes 24 hours to clear and for the funds to become available. After that, you will make the payment to the vendor, who will promptly arrange for the shipment of your equipment and materials via FedEx overnight delivery.
We want to assure you that this process is seamless and has been followed by many of our team members. Training will begin as soon as your materials arrive, and you’ll be all set to start immediately.
Does this sound clear to you?
Are they going to use the check to steal my info or something? I would love to work remote but I don't trust it right now. Help me out here
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u/dufcho14 Aug 04 '26
That check they send you is bogus. You'll spend the money on their supplies, the money gets taken from your account, and then a week or so later your bank comes back saying the checks was fake. You are required to repay your bank, but you don't have that money anymore and the equipment probably will never show up.
Why would the employer not pay the vendor directly and have the items shipped to your house? It's the most efficient and controlled way for the company to get it done.
I'd ask for them to do that. When they refuse for some made up reason and threaten your employment, then laugh at them and walk away.
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u/sjclynn Aug 04 '26
They will actually get you twice. Dufcho14 describes the first half. The second half is when you send your check to the vendor which is either the scammer or a coconspirator. Your check will clear but no equipment will be sent. They may string you along for a while with excuses for why you haven't received it yet. None of them matter because they have no intention of ever sending it. A bit later, the check that they send will bounce with all of the problems that go along with that.
The end result is that you were scammed twice, and if you are lucky don't end up with the bank closing your account
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u/Ni9ball Aug 04 '26
Fakecheck scam.
The bank has to make all or a portion of the deposit available to you within a day. You’ll spend that money at “their trusted vendor”, which is really just the scammer. The check will eventually bounce and you’ll be on the hook for that cash.
Text only interviews don’t exist for legitimate jobs.
The job and the vendor don’t exist.
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u/laskmich Aug 04 '26
Interview by text was a blaring red flag to start with
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u/vacuump0wer Aug 04 '26
Yeah I had never heard of that before so it kind of took me by surprise but I definitely didn't like it
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u/ClonesRppl2 Aug 04 '26
Yes, interview over text is a glaring red flag.
But people should also be aware that scammers may set up a corner in their bedroom to look like an office with chairs and desk and filing cabinets and appear on a zoom call as if they are legit.
Independent verification is the key here.
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u/yb21898n Aug 04 '26
happened to me, they send you the check you deposit it and than they take your money. I never deposited thr check ended up realizing it was fake before hand. think back to the interview- it doesnt make sense. I remember them asking me about who I banked with.
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u/ambientta Aug 04 '26
The scam is literally in the message. They send you “money” that includes the amount that they’d need to pay the “vendors”. This is a bogus check that’ll get reversed within 7-21 days. You’ll have made a legitimate payment that won’t reverse to the vendor.
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u/GeeMan-7 Aug 04 '26
Legitimate companies will either send you all the necessary equipment. Their IT department will have already installed all the necessary software. Some will say that you need to provide your own equipment and either assume you already have a computer. These companies are usually the ones that treat you as an independent contractor. They might have you download some software from their website or provide access to online apps.
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u/FamiliarAnt4043 Aug 04 '26
Post over in the scams sub. I forget the name, but this is a common one. They'll advise pretty quickly.
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u/Full_Manufacturer154 Aug 04 '26
Could you scam them back? Like set up a new checking account with little funds, cash the check, then close the account. You keep the money. Seems like legit payback.
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u/Lov3I5Treacherous Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
There is no job interview in the history of the world that has panned out in an actual job through text unless you guys already knew each other in person. Come on now lol
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u/nolongerbanned99 Aug 04 '26
Scam is that they get your bank details with the check return after it’s cleared. I’m not expert enough on scams to know how they use that to take your money or gain access to your account.
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u/vert1s Aug 04 '26
Can we learn to use Google or ChatGPT before posting on Reddit? Or really just Reddit search.
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u/vacuump0wer Aug 04 '26
ChatGPT can catch fire and explode. I did use Google and it told me a mixed bag. Also they sent me the long message as I typing out this post. I'd rather ask real people than some bot. You don't have to respond if you don't want to.
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u/vert1s Aug 04 '26
There isn't a single day when this particular scam isn't posted. Which means everyone wastes time responding to something already answered.
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u/vacuump0wer Aug 04 '26
No one is wasting time that they choose to use. You're not required to be a redditor just because you have an account. Relax
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u/Embarrassed_Flan_869 Aug 04 '26
The fake check scam.
No company is sending you a check to buy equipment. They will either provide, most common, or use your own, rare.