Contact 13 Consumer Alert
Valley woman warns other job seekers about check scam
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The internet helps many people look for work at home opportunities. That's how one Valley woman found a job as a personal assistant. But what showed up at her door from her new employer concerned her so much, she reached out to Contact 13.
"I've been on unemployment so I'm like desperately seeking for work," explained Marlene Rosado.
That's why Marlene says she finally gave in and got tuned into technology.
"It's my first computer and I thought oh yeah, ok, this is my connection to the world I'm going to get a good job," said Marlene.
It worked. Marlene posted her resume online and was contacted by someone looking to hire a personal assistant. The person explained that they're in London right now and needed someone to help with unattended chores.
"Then he said it was $700 a week and I thought I'm your girl," said Marlene.
Marlene didn't know much about this person who at one point gave her two different names. She never talked to him on the phone just via email or text. Happy to just have a job, she started working on her first task.
"I ordered 300 envelopes and labels," said Marlene.
She then waited for instructions on where to send them. The person asked Marlene if she could do payroll and she answered yes. Days later a package showed up at her door.
"There's a case of checks with my address on it and now I'm scared," said Marlene.
The checks are blank and the return address is to Marlene's apartment with a business name she didn't recognize. It says it's an office disbursement account. All this didn't sit well with Marlene.
"When I got the checks, I knew something was fishy," said Marlene.
So she emailed Action News and we did some digging. We called Merrill Lynch who joined forces with Bank of America. Merrill Lynch's name is on the check but spelled wrong. They confirm this check is fraudulent. When we tried calling the number Marlene has been texting this person on, we couldn't leave a message.
When Marlene emailed the person saying she was now skeptical and something didn't feel right, she never did hear back from them. Marlene says the only place the checks are going is to the shredder. She's still looking for a job, but now knows that new piece of technology comes with risks.
"If I can prevent someone else out there because I'm sure he's doing this to other people," said Marlene.
Here's the Contact 13 bottom line: The FBI says beware of anyone who wants you to receive and reship checks. Those checks could trace back to Marlene since her address was on them. They say beware of someone promising quick money for little work. All Marlene did was order some envelopes online and was promised $700 a week. So remember to do your research.







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