Woman Gets Scammed With Fake LinkedIn Job Posting -- Here Are the Red FlagsOne woman is going viral after accidentally sending her personal information to scammers posing to be a high-profile tech company.

ByEmily Rella

Since the pandemic, remote work has become increasingly common, especially for tech jobs where in-person work isn't necessary in order to be successful at the job.

But as one prospective employee learned the hard way, scammers are taking advantage of the influx of remote jobs by pretending to be big tech companies and hustling interviewees out of personal information, including their bank accounts.

TIkToker Callie Heim was applying for a job at what she thought wasWaymo, the autonomous car driving company that was originally dubbed the Google self-driving project — a reputable company with a reputable name.

Heim says she applied for the job via LinkedIn easy apply and received an email a few days later telling her that they wanted to proceed with her application, but she was told that she had to download an external messaging app called Wire to conduct the interview, something she likened to using Microsoft Teams.

It wasn't a red flag because the company was very "futuristic," she said.

@callieheimtruly a humbling experience#scam#linkedin#linkedinscam#wire#fakejobposting#beware♬ original sound - Callie Heim

"At the time, I didn't realize it was a red flag, but like looking back, yes, it was a red flag," she told followers before explaining that the interviewer asked her very specific marketing questions. "They pretty much gave me the job like after a day of talking to them further, which again is a red flag … everything seemed like so awesome. But of course, if it seems too good to be true, it's too good to be true."

Heim's boyfriend was the first to point out that something seemed off, and she didn't agree until she realized she had made a horrible mistake.

The company had asked her to purchase a laptop and mobile device that she would be reimbursed for, and to do that, she had sent them all of her personal information including routing and bank account number to set up the "direct deposit" that would not be coming. She said she noticed this when the company sent her a fake check that was "obviously photoshopped."

@callieheimPart 2 of how I got scammed (emotionally and ALMOST financially) from a fake LinkedIn job posting.#linkedin#jobposting#wireapp#scam♬ original sound - Callie Heim

Upon research, Heim found out that the Wire app is known to be used for job scammers and that what happened to her is unfortunately a common occurrence.

"I learned some lessons here about being naive on the Internet and other things, like probably don't post about getting a new job on LinkedIn until you actually started working. I just was excited," she lamented.

@callieheimthe scammers are getting smarter (or we are getting dumber idk)#linkedin#scam#waymo♬ original sound - Callie Heim

Heim was able to get to the bank and shut down her account before the money was withdrawn but still said she is devastated about being "emotionally scammed" by the whole experience.

"Just be aware and be vigilant, kind of know that if a job is asking for you to do too much during the interview process, it's probably not good," she said.

Many commenters warned Heim to freeze her credit accounts so that the scammers wouldn't be able to open up cards in her name.

狗万官方has reached out to Waymo for comment.

Wavy Line
Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Living

How to Start a 'Million Dollar' Morning Routine

Restructure your morning with a few simple steps that may help to amplify your energy.

Business Solutions

Learn to Program an AI Chatbot for Your Business in This $30 Course

Get back-to-school savings on this AI coding course.

Business News

'Truly Unprecedented': If You Are Hoping to Score a Lionel Messi Soccer Jersey, You Are Going to Wait a Very Long Time

The soccer superstar's authentic Inter Miami jersey is sold out through October.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Thought Leaders

Mark Cuban Says These are the Dumbest Things Entrepreneurs Do

Whatever you do, don't do the first thing on this list. Or the second. Definitely not the third.