Trading Resources

Albert – Feb 07, 2020

Victim Location 51334

Type of a scam Employment

I was contacted by the company, Trading Resources LLC (which I will refer to as TR), through an online job posting site where I posted a resume. TR claimed to have done a background and credit check and said I fit their parameters. Next TR sent several emails outlining the position, pay rate, upcoming training schedule etc. Basically, these documents stated TR would put a "new hire" on a two week trial period to determine their productivity level. During the trial period TR would pay off one or more of my credit cards which I would use to purchase Apple products from local stores ie Best Buy, Target, Walmart, ship the product to a corporate office where they would be packaged and sent overseas. As I purchased products I would draw from their account, which TR provided a legitimate checking routing and account number from a bank in NY, to pay my credit card until my "corporate card" was being established. I was not to purchase anything online – only in store purchases. During the trial period I was a 1099 employee at $2000/wk and TR would reimburse travel expenses at $.58/mile. After the two week trial I would be sent to Florida, expenses paid, for further training and put on payroll at $4200/2 week pay period and given a company credit card with limits based on the productivity of the trial period.

I had some skepticism: 1) why no online purchases 2) why use my credit card if I have free reign to spend any amount I want, to be reimbursed by the company 3) why a 1099 trial period – either I am hired or am a full time 1099 employee 4) much of the written information was not worded in a conventional professional vernacular 5) why wouldn’t a company just go to Apple (or whomever) and set up a direct buying contract and skip "the home shopper".

I did pay a credit card balance off just to see where this would go, honestly the money was too good to pass if it was a legit. I made a purchase online for next day store pickup. When I told my "trainer" I purchased online he chastised me and said there were explicit instructions not to do so and that I would not get the product. He was absolutely correct, the order was red flagged and put on hold and my credit card company put a hold on my card. The credit card fraud division contacted me, did some investigating with the information I had and after some investigating stated TR was using a checking account not belonging to them and explained the scam as follows:

TR hacks into a big business checking account because it takes them longer to realize funds are being stolen.

TR then pays off my credit card so I can make purchases.

If I make purchases in store there is no "check" because you are there in person, but if you purchase online there are more verification because of all the fraud.

They keep balancing your card to zero until the company whose checking account they have hacked figures it out. Once the the gig is up all the money transfers are reversed and me as the credit card holder is responsible for all the new charges plus the beginning balance.

I am assuming all this basically takes place in the two week time frame and there is never any "additional training" or actual hire.