Scam Alert - Job posting Scam (Craigslist NYC) - Ted Weinbaum
Below is the communication from a reported Scam posting for a Studio assistant ad posting on craigslist in New York.
**Note there is a perfectly legit Ted Weinbaum who is in the industry but it is not him.
The extra crappy thing about this scam is that they sometimes use legit company names and people's names who are in the industry so not only are they trying to scam people out of money but good people and their company name gets caught up in this scam.
See the email chain below... If you have any questions or have more emails that we can publish to help warn others, please let us know.
Note the type of scam - This appears to be a check cashing scam whereby you are hired then sent a series of checks to cash then send them back the money or make travel plans with their "travel agent" and then you are to wire the travel agent the money- yes it sounds so obvious but people fall for it all the time.
If you want to see how this scam develops take a look at this email chain -
https://help.entertainmentcareers.net/article/90-job-posting-scam-alert---bright-sky-film
As always, take a look and you can see the issues. We don't want to dissect the email to give the scammers a road map on better ways to do this but if you read it carefully you can see the problems. Ronin principle, "When there is doubt, there is no doubt." If it seems too good to be true it is. If you guys ever have any questions don't hesitate to reach out. We have a security system in place to screen all the postings so we have become experts in spotting them. When in doubt, reach out.
Note it looks very similar to
this scam we reported earlier this spring.
Email #1
Greetings,I hope you had a wonderful weekend, I recently received your resume in response to the AD posted for a Studio assistant position.After reviewing your resume, i feel excited with your past experiences,Kindly confirm your availability so that i can send over the full job descriptions.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Warm Regards
Ted Weinbaum.
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Warm Regards
Ted Weinbaum.
Email #2
_____________________________
Thanks for the confirmation of your availability.
Thanks for the confirmation of your availability.
About Me:
Ted Weinbaum is a digital digital media strategist, Moving Picture Producer, Video Editor, Photographer, VIdeographer, Video Artist, Interactive Designer & Illustrator. Also i specialize in landscape and night-sky photography, motion-controlled time-lapse, and creative dSLR film-making. I also hold private and group workshops and classes, as I love to teach other people how to achieve their creative photographic vision.
I really feel I need some assistance at this time that's why I need someone who can work with me hand in hand throughout the production period. We are presently working on a short film which I'm directing the production aspect, although work hasn't commenced and we should start working on the film in next 20 days.
As a Studio Assistant at Ted Weinbaum studios,you will work closely with me throughout the production process, Your duties basically would be ;
1.Relaying information from the director to each department
2.Escorting actors to and from their trailers
3.Assisting with crowd control
4.locking up locations
5.Assist designers with managing pens, brushes, layout pads and printing stationery.
6.Passing out scripts and schedules
7.Collecting paperwork
8.Delivering film to various locations and helping move equipment,Taking care of Financial activities.
9.Organize and maintain studio logs, records and statements.
10.Maintain studio premises neat, clean and in an attractive manner.
11.Ensure compliance of studio laws, procedures and standards.
1.Relaying information from the director to each department
2.Escorting actors to and from their trailers
3.Assisting with crowd control
4.locking up locations
5.Assist designers with managing pens, brushes, layout pads and printing stationery.
6.Passing out scripts and schedules
7.Collecting paperwork
8.Delivering film to various locations and helping move equipment,Taking care of Financial activities.
9.Organize and maintain studio logs, records and statements.
10.Maintain studio premises neat, clean and in an attractive manner.
11.Ensure compliance of studio laws, procedures and standards.
NOTE:
Before our HR department reviewed your resume and gave their report I decided to consider you among the three applicants that will be on probation before i finally pick the right person as the Assistant to carry out some activities on my behalf.you need to be very honest because sometimes my personal or corporate items such as financial instruments or non financial items can be with you. In conclusion I'm looking for someone that can be trusted and reliable to work very well and with good understanding and i believe you posses those qualities.I have decided to offer you a probationary offer (trial period). Here i want to see how you will demonstrate your skills and how exceptional you are and how efficient and on time you will be. I will need you to perform a couple of tasks for me during this week, which are part of basic duties you will be performing when fully employed by me. Successful completion of the trial period qualifies you for an interview and temporary weekly wage for the trial period will be Six Hundred Dollars/weekly.
Available Position: Studio Assistant
Type: Part-Time
Hours: 9 Hours per week
Days: 3 days per week [ Each day 3 hours ]
Weekly Pay: $610
BENEFITS:
• AD & D Insurance
• 401(k)
• Medical, Dental, Vision
Willing to take this job position, reconfirm your information. I will have my financial adviser have payment for these purchases and tasks, mailed to you. The trial period runs for a week or two. If you want to sign up for this, Kindly provide the details below ...
Your Full name ;
Mailing Address ;
Apt;
City, State, Zip Code :
Mobile Phone Number :
Two Work or Personal References ;
Best Regards,
Ted Weinbaum,
772-266-2605.
_____________________________________
Mailing Address ;
Apt;
City, State, Zip Code :
Mobile Phone Number :
Two Work or Personal References ;
Best Regards,
Ted Weinbaum,
772-266-2605.
_____________________________________
If you get an email like this or any shady sounding email, please let us know so we can help warn others.
Take a looks at our
Top 5 Ways to spot a scam article and see other
examples of scams we have helped uncover.
If you have responded to an ad like this and received an email or a check,
What To Do:
- If you receive a check, keep it but do NOT cash it.
- If you have already received a check and have cashed it, contact your bank immediately to let them know that the check is fraudulent. Tell the fraud department that it is a 'check cashing scam' .
- Ideally, you should report this to the FBI . You can use the following link to submit your case: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx . If the FBI gets enough reports, it can help track down these guys or at least get their back accounts seized and help other people not get scammed.
- Most importantly, the best thing to do is to cease all communications with them. Keep all your emails but don't respond (even to call them out). This is not an identity theft issue and the criminals are thousands of miles away (in our experience 100% of the time this originates from overseas) so once you stop replying they will move on and this will be over for you.
- If you receive a check, keep it but do NOT cash it.
- If you have already received a check and have cashed it, contact your bank immediately to let them know that the check is fraudulent. Tell the fraud department that it is a 'check cashing scam' .
- Ideally, you should report this to the FBI . You can use the following link to submit your case: https://www.ic3.gov/default.
- Most importantly, the best thing to do is to cease all communications with them. Keep all your emails but don't respond (even to call them out). This is not an identity theft issue and the criminals are thousands of miles away (in our experience 100% of the time this originates from overseas) so once you stop replying they will move on and this will be over for you.
If you guys ever have any questions don't hesitate to reach out. We have a security system in place to screen all the postings so we have become experts in spotting them. When in doubt, reach out.