Package Inspection and ReShipping is a Growing Scam for Job Seekers. (Fotolia)
Better Business Bureau of Delaware has seen a significant spike in reports from unwitting consumers that have accepted "jobs" to work in logistics, package inspection or delivery for companies that do not exist. The most recent reports are from a company calling itself "The Smartest Delivery", claiming a Delaware address. Read the detailed report on the company.
Upon further review, BBB has found the following:
- BBB received reports that the "companies" offer jobs receiving, inspecting, and then reshipping out goods in exchange for payment. BBB encourages consumers to read the tips on shipping scams before responding to these offers.
- Consumers are then the recipients of packages that they are then responsible for "re-shipping" elsewhere, often out of the country. Consumers never receive payment for their work and are often re-shipping items purchased with stolen identities.
- These websites all use the same names under their staff or "Team Members" on the about us section of their websites. They have changed images but use identical names and titles. In addition, these websites use identical customer testimonials but have altered the images associated with those testimonials.
- Addresses used in Delaware are not valid, and unverifiable.
Two recent stories from consumers are below:
Story 1: "The Smartest Delivery Company offered me the job of Remote Courier. The job consists of having parcels delivered directly to Fedex UPS USPS. After receiving the package, I will take a photo of the box and upload the photos to the CRM system. Then I will receive an outgoing shipping label to print. All labels are prepaid. I don’t need to pay for shipping. Just simply print out the shipping label and go to the nearest UPS or FedEx office, or just drop off the package at a nearest location. The payment will be paid $25 per each shipped package biweekly. Plus a monthly salary of $3500. $3500 is a guarantee payment every month (that's their promise to me). My payment may be deposited, or they may mail a check, or it may be sent to the PayPal. Then after I reviewed the agreement, I signed it last November 17, 2022. I started to receive tasks for dropping packages. I followed their instructions. Then suddenly one week before my first payment of $3,500 plus bonus of $350, supposed to be December 18, 2022, they stop communicating with me and they shut off the control panel system and I cannot log in. Although I'm not paying for the shipping label, I use my own paper, ink, electric, and transportation expenses and since I don't drive which is why I'm using Lyft or Uber, so I lost $265.00."
Story 2: "To make it a short story, I accepted the offer and signed the agreement. I thought everything was fine. I drop off all the packages with my own transportation expenses. The total is $234.65, Then they told me that I will receive my first paycheck on December 18, 2022 plus a bonus of $350.00. Then lately I'm wondering why they stop sending the parcel in my portal control panel, I ask them no one answers my questions. Suddenly on December 15, 2022 they shut off my login portal. I cannot log in anymore. (Here the context of the email job proposal) please READ! The Smartest Delivery Company is pleased to offer the home position job Remote Courier. What does the job consist of? Parcels will be delivered directly to you by Fedex UPS USPS. After receiving the package, you take a photo of the box and upload the photos to the CRM system. Then you will receive an outgoing shipping label to print. All labels are prepaid. You do not pay for shipping. So you simply print out the shipping label and go to the nearest UPS or FedEx office, or just drop off the package at a nearest location. Payment You will be paid $25 per each shipped package biweekly. Plus a monthly salary of $3500. $3500 is a guarantee payment every month. Your payment may be deposited, or we may mail you a check, or it may be sent to your PayPal. We hope that you will accept our offer, and look forward to working with you. We are confident that you will perform well in this role and make a significant contribution to the continued success of the company. An employment contract is attached to the letter. Please download the agreement, read it carefully in full and ask any questions if necessary. After reading, print the agreement,sign it, scan or take photo of it and send it to: [email protected] This offer will be open until November 25th, 2022. Attachment : Employment Agreement. We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, ******* HR manager thesmartestdelivery.com +13029272405. Please help me what to do, if you want me to submit all the proof I have here. Thank you."
"This story is all too common right now, with consumers looking to work in the "Gig Economy" and earn a little extra money during the holidays," said BBB Delaware President Christine Sauers. "BBB warns that consumers really need to do their research before they take a job and verify the legitimacy of the company and the type of work being performed," continued Sauers.
How to spot a fake job offer:
- Be very cautious of any job that asks you to share personal information or hand over money. Scammers will often use the guise of running a credit check, setting up direct deposit or paying for training.
- If a job looks suspicious, search for it in Google. If the result comes up in many other cities with the exact same job post, it is likely a scam.
- Check the company out on BBB.org.
- Check out the business' website. Scammers often falsely use the names of real businesses. Check on the business’s site or give them a call to confirm the position exists.
Read more details on shipping and employment scams. Consumers should report these scams to BBB via Scam Tracker to help warn others.