SCAM!

Well, its been an interesting week. I've been applying for part-time jobs on Craig's List and wherever I can find them. Working for Tammy is great, but I could use some additional income. One day last week I was feeling really anxious about money and worrying about stuff out of my control, then I received a reply back from one of the many postings I replied to...

It was a guy named Desmond. Said he and his family (with pregnant wife) were moving to the States and would need someone to help them get settled in and clean each week. He'd mentioned something about organizing and using the computer...sounds perfect for me, right? Well, he said I'd just need to clean three hours a day for $650 a week! $650! Now I won't lie. I lost a bit of sleep over that first email. Do you know what I could do with $650 a week? A month even? I was dreaming of paying off loans, putting Brad through school, working for Tammy for free. I thought, wow! God is really providing! He's entrusted me with little, and now He's entrusting me with much. Sure I thought it sounded too good to be true, but then we all know people who do ridiculous jobs for ridiculous amounts of money. And now you're all judging me, seeing this as an obvious scam...but I did title it scam so you had a hint. :)

Anyway, over the course of emailing back a few times, my bubble was pretty deflated, realizing it probably wasn't for real. I asked advice from some of my friends and they, like me figured it probably wasn't real, but how awesome it would be if it was! So it all culminated today with a $4500 check arriving at my house with instructions to deposit it and make a wire transfer. Um, yeah right. Scam. The check has been ripped up.

There were several obvious hints at a scam:
He'd never give me numbers or references to call. He wouldn't give me a formal contract. The apartment he is supposedly moving into said no one by that name was moving in when I called. And why would he need to send me a check to pay for shipping his junk across the ocean (oh yeah, did I mention he said he was moving over here with his pregnant wife from SCOTLAND?)...why couldn't he pay for it himself. Anyways. Retrospect.

Just FYI:

Recognizing scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
• Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"
• inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consumating transaction

My guy had all three. What a winner.

I'll admit I feel a little stupid now. I am thankful this didn't go any further into something more stupid. But what a cruel trick that on the day I felt lowest about money an offer that was too good to be true came through. Guess I'll have to keep depending on God for my daily bread. :) Jehovah Jireh.