College students conned by fake employment opportunities

Company claims they were looking for logistics coordinator

SAN ANTONIO – Northwest Vista College Student Ashley Maxwell said accepting a job online was her worst nightmare.

"It just seemed good because it was a work from home job," Maxwell said.

Maxwell said about six months ago she received an email from a company that was looking for a logistics coordinator. She found out the company wasn't real when looking for their information online.

"They wanted it to look like it was a building, but it really wasn't and when I re-did it with the right address, it was a parking garage," Maxwell said.

Lydia Elder with Workforce Solutions Alamo said to watch out for on-spot hirings.

"There were reports last year in California, same thing kind of happening there," Elder said.

She said to be cautious with unsolicited emails.

"Typically there's a process that needs to be done before you get hired. Whether its just an interview or a background check things like that. If they are going to offer you a job over the phone or email that's not a good sign," Elder said.

KSAT 12 reached out to the Better Business Bureau who directed us to their website where there is an alert for the company. The alert said, "We have been unable to locate a valid corporation filing or fictitious business name filing for this business."

"If you get unsolicited emails, if somebody contacting you before you contacted them, especially if it has some sort of link or attachment for you to click on, be very careful because they may want to download malware to your computer," Miguel Segura, Better Business Bureau Regional Director said.

Maxwell, 21, never got paid, but did learn her lesson. She hopes her story will help someone else.

"Maybe have a Skype interview. Maybe set up a time to meet them and actually go over stuff. Find other ways to make sure they are like a legit company," Maxwell said. 

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About the Author

Tiffany Huertas is a reporter for KSAT 12 known for her in-depth storytelling and her involvement with the community.

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