At Total Translations, Inc., we’re committed to maintaining the trust and safety of our clients, partners, and job seekers. Recently, we became the target of a scam involving fraudulent job offers that misuse our company name, logo, and address. This blog post details the scam, how to spot it, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
What’s Happening?
Scammers have been sending out emails from a fake email address, jobs@totalstranslations.com (notice the extra "S"). They pretend to be offering job opportunities on behalf of Total Translations. To make the scam even more convincing, they’ve been conducting fake phone interviews and sending out contracts with our company’s name but featuring a different logo in the background.
Here are some critical details about the scam:
- The fake email address: jobs@totalstranslations.com (the extra "S" makes it fake)
- Fake interview calls: From the number +1 (647) 313 6195
- Fake job contracts: Signed by someone named "Theresa M. O'Farrell" whom we don’t know
The scammers have been going as far as conducting fake interviews and sending contracts, then asking for personal information, including copies of ID, SIN numbers, and utility bills. They’ve also been asking people to buy home office equipment using fake cheques.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Scam
Here’s exactly how this scam has been playing out:
1. Initial Contact: Victims receive an email asking them to fill out a form with personal details.
2. Phone Interview: After sending the form, the scammer sets up a fake phone interview.
3. Job Offer & Contract: Victims are offered a fake job, followed by a PDF contract.
4. Fake Contract: The contract uses our company’s name but includes a different background logo.
5. Chat with "Stella March": After signing, victims are directed to chat with another fake person who requests sensitive information.
6. Requests for Personal Information: Scammers ask for identification documents, SIN numbers, and utility bills.
7. Home Office Equipment: The victim is encouraged to buy office equipment using a fake cheque.
8. Fake Cheque: The scam culminates with the deposit of a fake cheque (in one instance, for $1990.21), which eventually bounces.
How to Spot the Scam
There are a few key things to look out for:
- Fake Email Address: The scammers use jobs@totalstranslations.com, but our real email is info@totaltranslations.com.
- Unsolicited Job Offers: We never send unsolicited emails offering jobs or asking for personal information.
- Requests for Sensitive Information: If you’re asked for your ID, SIN number, or utility bill, it’s a huge red flag.
- Fake Cheques: Be cautious if you’re asked to deposit a cheque, especially if it’s to buy something for a job you just landed.
What We’re Doing About It
We’ve taken action to stop the scam and protect our reputation:
- We identified that the fake domain, www.totalstranslations.com, was registered in Iceland and reported it. The domain has since been taken down.
- Our colleagues at Total Translations in Miami have reported the scam to the Better Business Bureau and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- We’ve also notified the domain registrar, Namecheap.com, about the fraudulent domain.
How to Protect Yourself
If you come across a suspicious job offer, here’s what you should do:
1. Don’t respond to unsolicited job emails. If you didn’t apply for a job, it’s likely a scam.
2. Never provide sensitive personal information. This includes your SIN number, ID, or utility bill.
3. Don’t deposit any cheque unless you’re 100% sure it’s legitimate.
4. Report suspicious activity to the police, your bank, and the Credit Bureau of Canada if you believe your information has been compromised.
Stay Vigilant
Scammers are always finding new ways to trick people, so it’s important to stay on your toes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Be cautious of emails that look official but come from an unfamiliar or slightly altered domain.
- Always verify job offers or company details directly through official channels.
- If something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t proceed.
If you ever have doubts or need to verify an email, contact us directly at info@totaltranslations.com or give us a call at +1 (416) 447 2577.
Here you can find all the detailed information and screenshots.
Thanks for staying vigilant and helping us protect our community!