Firstcom Group LLC

Victim Location 92596

Total money lost $1,500

Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order

Feb 28th I responded to a job notifications from Glassdoor for a Purchasing Specialist 375913583o. I sent my resume to Ashley [email protected]). March 6th, Thomas Adler, HR Manager contacted me saying I was pre-approved as a candidate to our Purchasing Manager position. I was sent a job description and company overview and informed that if I was interested in the position to respond to the email. I responded and was told due to the high number of possible candidates I would be contacted on the 13th. I received the following: "We appreciate your interest in the Firstcom Group, LLC. According to your skills and experience we decided that you are the suitable candidate on this position.We are happy to offer you the employment with Firstcom Group, LLC. Please check the "Employment Offer" attachment. Be advised, this offer of employment is a Conditional Employment Offer. Your probation period will last for two weeks. Probation is expressed as a term of the employment. If you are glad with the process and if you are ready to begin on the position, email us back your acceptance as a signed Employment Offer. Also you should check the detailed information about the position (see enclosed attachment). Position flexible schedule allows you to stay with your current job

during two weeks probationary. We look forward to having you join us!

If you will have any questions after reviewing the attachments, please

let me know." I reviewed and signed the offer, the whole time Mr. Adler was timely and available to answer my questions. I was told since I would be handling company funds I needed to send in a credit report. I was suspicious about not filling out normal employment paperwork but was reassured I would receive them during and after probation. I was also informed after the probation period I would receive a company’s cell phone and notebook. During this period I would work with simple purchasing orders. I would be paid biweekly and if I completed the probation successfully, "We may discuss the amount of your next salary." The offer letter stated my salary as $94K to $107K along with benefits, etc. and my supervisor will help you to start.

I was called by Alwin Hall who introduced himself and briefly gave me a rundown. I was given a Citi bank account information and told to payoff my credit cards. I would be using them until I past probation and got set up with the corporate card. I paid off my cards, my Citi card cleared right away but Chase held funds for verification. I was instructed for my first order (1 of 7 to satisfy probation) to purchase $5,000 worth of gift cards earning in addition to my salary a 7% commission. I was to then to give the digital code and receipt information to my supervisor. This is where I got really suspicious and uncomfortable. I delayed the process even though pressured and I never gave this "company" the gift card info. In two days funds for the initial payoff were rejected and payments returned. Since I was able to make addition charges with my Citi Card I’ve incurred these charges. The scam is to clear your personal account and have you buy gift cards giving them the digital information so they can make purchases or cash them out. They work within the float time of banks verifying accounts and funds. Ultimately if you work fast as they request you’ll get stuck will paying for the gift card with your money, actual funds. Not to mention the humiliation and embarrassment you’ll face with your card company and vendor. Lastly I’ve worked with corporations using my personal cards while waiting for a corporate account to be set up. This scheme seemed awkward but legitimate at first.