Job Scam Reporting and Resources - University of Houston
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Job Scam Reporting and Resources

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in fraudulent and illegal job scams via email or via the phone. We created this page for our students and alumni to understand how to identify a job scam, what to do if you get an email and to notify the UH community of currently known job scams.

Note: Please remember that your UH email address (@uh.edu) is publically available on the UH website directory and may increase the amount of junk mail you receive, including job scams.

If you have responded to an email regarding a job opportunity and you now suspect it to be a scam, please do the following:

  1. Notify Information Security, 832-842-4695. You will be asked to forward your PeopleSoft ID and any email or text message correspondence you have had with the scammer.
  2. To help secure your UH information please set up your PeopleSoft password security questions and then reset your PeopleSoft and CougarNet account passwords:
    • Log into AccessUH and click the myUH icon
    • Look for the option "Setup Security Questions" on the left menu
    • Set up the two questions with answers only you will know
    • Reset your myUH (PeopleSoft) and CougarNet passwords using the Password Wizard.
  3. Report the scam to the UH Police Department, 4015 Wheeler Avenue Houston, TX 77204 or by phone at 713-743-3333. Inform them that Information Security asked you to make the report.
  4. Report the scam to University Career Services.

How to identify a job scam:

  • The email is from a Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook address. Legitimate companies should email from their corporate email account. UH will not post jobs from employers that do not have corporate email accounts.
  • You are not the only recipient on the email. Legitimate companies will not send an email about a job offer to multiple people at once.
  • The email does not address you by name. The email may say your information was obtained from a job board, school database, or Career Services office. If so, they should address the email to you directly, rather than “Hello Student” or “Good Morning”.
  • The company name may be a legitimate company. To make the scam more believable the email will use the name of a legitimate company. However, the person contacting you has no relationship with the company they are claiming to work for.
  • They ask to continue the conversation by text. This makes the scam harder to document. Conversations about legitimate offers should be conducted by email.
  • They ask for personal information in an email. Legitimate job opportunities require you to apply and provide your personal information in an official application, many times on the company website.
  • The email contains grammatical or spelling errors. A very common attribute of scam emails is that they do not bother to spell check or grammar check their outgoing emails.
  • There is no contact information for the sender. Any legitimate email from a company’s Human Resources or Recruiting department should have a signature line for the send with their name, title, and contact information.
  • The email asks you to visit a non-UH website. UH will only ask you to visit the website for an official career center on campus.
If you receive an email that contains this type of information, delete it. There is no need to respond. If you ever have questions about whether or not an email is legitimate, forward it to security@uh.edu.

Never:

  • Never give out personal information like your social security or bank account number over email or phone.
  • Never take cashier’s checks or money orders as a form of payment. Fake checks are common and the bank where you cash it will hold you accountable.
  • Never cash a check that comes with “extra” money. Scammers send checks that require you to deposit a check at your bank, withdraw the “extra” money as cash, and then deposit that cash elsewhere. The check will bounce and you will be held accountable.
  • Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram or any other service. Anyone who asks you to wire money is a scammer.
  • Never apply for jobs listed by someone far away or in another country.
  • Never agree to a background check unless you have met the employer in person.
  • Never apply for a job that is emailed to you out of the blue.

Always:

  • Be skeptical. If a job is offering a lot of money for very little work, it could be a scammer trying to get personal information from you.
  • Research the employer. Do they have a reputable website or professional references? Is the job listing you want to apply for also on their main career page? Note: work-study jobs may not be advertised on employer websites.
  • Meet face-to-face with a potential employer. An in-person interview or informal chat over coffee will help you determine the employer’s intentions.
  • Be sure to choose a public place to meet, tell someone where you are going and bring your cell phone, just in case.
  • Trust your instincts. If a job sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam.

Job Scam Scenario

A student applies for an online data entry job posted by a scammer from out-of-state. When payday rolls around, the scammer tells the student they will receive a cashier’s check, however, the value of the check will be more than what the student has earned. The scammer offers to “trust” the student and asks that they repay the difference with a wire transfer. The student cashes the cashier’s check and then wires the scammer the balance. Even though the bank cashes the check, it is later discovered to be a fake and does not clear. The student now owes the bank the full value of the check.

What to do if you receive a job scam email:

  1. Email UH University Career Services and UH Information Security. You will be asked to forward your PeopleSoft ID and any email or text message correspondence you have had with the scammer.
  2. To help secure your UH information please set up your PeopleSoft password security questions and then reset your PeopleSoft and CougarNet account passwords:
    • Log into AccessUH and click the myUH icon
    • Look for the option “Setup Security Questions” on the left menu
    • Set up the two questions with answers only you will know
    • Reset your myUH (PeopleSoft) and CougarNet passwords using the Password Wizard.
  3. Report the scam to the UH Police Department, 4051 Wheeler Avenue Houston, TX 77204 or by phone at 713-743-3333. Inform them that UIT Security asked you to make the report.
  4. Please remember that your UH email address (@uh.edu) is publically available on the UH website directory and may increase the amount of junk mail you receive, including job scams.

Further steps:

Currently known job scams:

Check this list periodically if you feel like you received a scam email. If your email is not listed but you believe it to be fraud, follow steps above.

Date of Email: December 2023
Name of "company"/ "contact":
Stryker Corporation / Gloria Mathison
Subject:
Interview Invitation for Accounts Receivable Representative Position
Text from email/message: 

Dear Candidate,

The human resources department of Stryker Corporation has received and reviewed your resume recently submitted to our Accounts Receivable Representative job posting on the UHouston cougar pathway. We are impressed by your qualifications and background and believe you are an excellent candidate to fill one of our current openings. As a result, we want to invite you for an interview. There is an organized training program for hired applicants and the position working hours are flexible, you can work from home or on-campus as a part-time or full-time employee, and the pay scale is negotiable at $30.50/hour to $50.50/hour depending upon skill level.

As a potential candidate, you are required to set up a Chatwork account or download one using their website link ( https://www.chatwork.com/ ) Use the plus sign on your Chatwork account to add me to your contacts using my email address ( humanresources@strykercop.com ) I am the hiring manager in charge of the employment process and I will be available to conduct the online Job briefing and interview with you, send your name and phone number to me on Chatwork to get started.

Regards,Human Resources,Gloria Mathison,Stryker Corporation.

Date of Email: December 2023
Name of "company"/ "contact":
Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. / Julia Davis
Subject: 
Invitation for Interview and Training Program
Text from email/message: 

Dear Candidate,

Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. Human resources have reviewed your resume recently updated on UHouston cougar pathway. You have excellent qualifications and background, we are impressed by your profile and believe you will be a perfect candidate to fill one of our current openings. Here at ApolloMed, we are always looking to grow with talented people to achieve great things together. As a result, we want to invite you for an interview. There is an organized training program for hired applicants, and the position working hours are flexible, you can work from home or on campus as a part-time or full-time employee, and the pay scale is negotiable at $30.50/hour to $50.50/hour depending upon skill level.

As a potential candidate, you are required to set up a Chatwork account or download one using their website link ( https://www.chatwork.com/ ) use the plus sign on your Chatwork account to add me to your contacts using my email address ( hiringmanager@apollomedinc.net ) I am the hiring manager in charge of the employment process and I will be available to conduct the online Job briefing and interview with you, send your name and phone number to me on Chatwork to get started.

Best Regards,Career Center,Julia Davis,Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.

Date of Email: August
Name of "company"/ "contact":
Dr. Michael Schmitt
Subject:
UNICEF
Text from email/message: 

Thanks for your interest in the job position, I have a list of unattended chores duties that are undone and therefore require you to run these errands. I understand you may be studying or working; therefore, the position is part-time and can be done online at your flexible time as work from home. This is an opportunity to earn extra cash as well as gain experience.

The job is flexible so you can do it wherever you are as long as there is Rite Aid | CVS | Target | Staples | Micro-Center | 99 Cent | Walmart | H-E-B | Target | or any Stationary store in the area. My present daily busy schedule demands the role of someone who is trustworthy, someone who will help support my workload when I am not in the US and to help me establish on-time delivery of services and also attend to important matters regarding my professional life, the sensitivity of this position warrants Responsibility, Trustworthy, Emphatic, Persevering and Honest.

I would like you to start immediately if you accept this offer. I have a huge workload pending that needs immediate attention.

Every month, UNICEF and other foundations engage in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity by catering to the needs of foster homes across nations. This month is unique due to the current pandemic ongoing. There is a list of items to be gotten this month, and my team will be responsible for purchasing some of such items and their delivery as well as making donations. The good news is you are part of the team now if so please proceed.

You will be responsible for the donations to some Orphanage Homes | Purchases of Items, Electronics & laundry Materials that you would shop for and send to foster homes specified. I am willing to pay $500.00 weekly including gas and other expenses.

I will be needing your service immediately, so once the information above is received, I have a financial in the state which will handle your payment. I will request your first-week payment be sent to you along with the pay to run errands for me for the first week. you also need the ability to carry out the task with less or no supervision on time. I want to believe you will be committed to assisting me.

You will have the opportunity to review your workability and decide if you would like to work for an extended period, which would include the benefit of Health Insurance, vacation bonus, etc.

I look forward to reading from you soon indicating your interest to work with me as my assistant.

Sincerely
Dr. Michael Schmitt
Professor Humanitarian Relief.

Date of Email: August
Name of "company"/ "contact":
Martin (HR/Finance Administrator)
Subject:
UH Full/Part-Time Employment Opportunities Available
Text from email/message: 

UH, recruiting department, needs the services of students, staffs to work remotely as a personal assistant gets paid $850 weekly.

Work time for up to 8-10 hours a week, at 850-1,000(USD) weeklies, hours can be split throughout the week. You'd have to choose what hours work best for you.

Candidates interested in applying for these positions can complete the online applications that are accessible by follow the link below. Do not apply TWICE. Thank you.

APPLY HERE

NOTE: THIS IS STRICTLY A WORK FROM HOME POSITION.

Sincerely,                                                                             

Martin

HR/Financial Aid Administrator

Date of Email: July 2022
Name of "company"/ "contact":
Dr Michael Schmitt / UH emails 
Subject:
UNICEF
Text from email/message: 

To whom is may concern, 

I am sharing a job information to students who might be interested in a UNICEF part-time job to make up to $500 weekly. Attached is further information about the employment schedule, if interested kindly contact Dr. Michael Schmitt with your alternative email (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail Aol, etc) and not your Edu email for urgent employment. 

Note: This is strictly a work from home position. 

Regards

University of Houston

Careers and Internships Services

[UH logo]

Date of Email: June 2022
Name of "company"/ "contact": Joanna Miller
Subject: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY OPEN FOR ALL
Text from email/message:

Job Alert! Application for position of Personal Assistant/Sales Agent/Customer Representative open to Students, Alumni & Staff.

EARN MORE THAN $850 WORKING FROM HOME.

     Excellent opportunity opens for anyone interested in becoming a Personal assistant (Remote). This position offers an excellent working environment, growth, and a CEO that values and celebrates his employees. To be Qualified for this role. you need to have Strong Service skills, a flexible attitude, and a team spirited attitude are what this CEO is seeking. Excellent Benefits!!  For this great position as a PA! Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Work time for up to 8-10 hours a week, at 850-1,000(USD) weeklies, hours can be split throughout the week. You'd have to choose what hours work best for you.

Candidates interested in applying for these positions can complete the online applications that are accessible by follow the link below. Do not apply TWICE. Thank you.

APPLY HERE

NOTE: THIS IS STRICTLY A WORK FROM HOME POSITION.

Sincerely,
Joanna Miller
Financial Aid Administrator
F 646.389.3562

Date of Email: June 2022
Name of "company"/ "contact": Ann Harris, AHEAD
Subject: 
Text from email/message:

Do you Want to enjoy the flexibility of working from home and gain academic credit if applicable? AHEAD in conjunction with "University of Houston" is looking for a motivated and curious intern to perform various administrative tasks and support our Atmospheric Effects Group Intern Program. Sure, you’ll learn new skills and finish with a resume that opens doors.

My name is Dr. Ann Harris, AHEAD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of students with disabilities.

Interns at AHEAD are paid $620 weekly and can work remotely with a commitment of approximately 8hrs - 10hrs per week and the working hours is also flexible with the student schedule.

For employment consideration, all qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their resume and reply to: aheadintern@mailbox.org with this information

Name
Age:
Residential Address:
Alternate email (different from school email):
Cell #:

Regards,
AHEAD, University of Houston

Date of Email: May 2022
Name of "company": Steve Bill
Subject: Part - Time Employment Opportunity
Company email: steve891016@gmail.com
Text from email/message:

Hello
I wish to congratulate you on the new job, we had to verify all the information you provided. I hope I will have your 100 % loyalty and cooperation. Your quick response to emails and effectiveness will be required, and you will be receiving your first assignment very soon. You will email with detailed instructions, I believe we started with TRUST, HONESTY AND SOUND MIND....! Please assure me of your trust, honesty and commitment.

Date of Email: May 2022
Name of "company": Bill Sanders
Subject: Part - Time Employment Opportunity
Company email: sfsdeoghars@gmail.com
Text from email/message:

We are looking for an individual who is honest, trustworthy and reliable to work with good understanding as a Remote Customer Service Representative . The job involves you working remotely and flexibly from your location, working with us you must be willing to follow instructions and follow them accordingly. You can sometimes be instructed to perform an assigned task in a timely manner, so we need someone who is able to deliver once assigned a task.

Your work service is needed because I go constantly out of town and now presently in Calgary Alberta, Canada. I will return to the states in two weeks so the working process will be ongoing until my arrival back.

As A Remote Customer Service Representative , your activities will include;

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Sort and verify bank transactions.
  • Verify keying of data and correct errors.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
  • Running personal and charitable errands.
  • Work independently without much supervision.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

** Weekly Pay: $900.00
** Hours: 10-15 Hours Weekly
** Days: 2-3 days Weekly

Please note: This position is not office based yet, it's a remote job from your location.

I would like to give you an immediate trial, so if you are interested kindly get back to me. I have been checking files and schedules as I would need someone urgently to run some tasks for me this week. My Financier will issue to you a Certified Company Check to execute the task with, and complete the assignment. You will need to Purchase gift items for kids(Foster Care) which I will send you a list and description of the items, alongside delivery address when purchased. Note that you are not to use your personal funds.

Kindly RE-CONFIRM your contact details as shown on your resume to enable us to proceed further.
Full Name:
Full Address and apartment number:
City:
State:
Zip code:
Cell Phone Number:
Available hours:

The employee, acknowledged the Trial and Detailed Job Description and signed _______________
(First Name and Last Name of Employee)

Date of Email: April 2022
Name of "company": No name
Subject: Part - Time Employment Opportunity
Text from email/message:

We received your resume application via the University of Houston recruiting department, offering a part time position for Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduating Students, Staff, this will only require 1-2hrs 3 days a week, no work experience or skill is required. You can make $650 weekly without affecting your regular activities and academics

Interested candidates should email ivassuming@gmail.com with their resumes and must be prepared to start immediately after review of resume is complete.
Additional information will be passed across as soon as interest is shown.

Thank you!
Office of the Registrar

Date of Email: March 2022
Name of "company": UNICEF
Subject: UNICEF Job
Text from email/message:

I am sharing a UNICEF Job opportunity to all students and employees who might be interested in Part-Time job with a $500/weekly pay.

Attached is further information about the employment schedule. Kindly follow the steps in the attached document and contact Ms. Etleva Kadilli with your alternate/non-official email address i.e Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) For more details on the employment.

Take note; this is strictly a work-from-home position.

Sincerely,

Date of Email: March 2022
Name of "company": Cornerstones Staffing (danicatalon3@gmail.com)
Subject: Executive Personal Assistant
Text from email/message:

Dear student,

We're pleased to inform you that Cornerstones Staffing is currently hiring students like you on a part time basis with an attractive weekly salary. The job is remote and has been designed not to prevent you from any school activities.
TO PROCEED WITH THIS JOB OFFER, KINDLY REPLY TO THIS MAIL WITH YOUR ALTERNATE EMAIL ADDRESS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION.

Best Regards,
Danica Talon.
HR Recruit Manager/Consultant Cornerstones Staffing-Solutions.

Date of Email: March 2022
Name of "company": Urban Properties Management / Premier Solutions LLC
Subject: Regarding Your Resume On University Career Services/Cougar Pathway Text from email/message
Text from email/message:

Dear Candidate,

We came across your resume from the career job board, We have the resources and have built excellent industry relationships over time to provide you with everything you need to succeed in building certification and approvals, wondering if we could share these opportunities we currently have with you .Urban Properties Management is a professional company and an on-line company for renting and buying properties. Our 10,000+ rentals in over 40 countries worldwide act as the driving force of our company. The company is growing dynamically and its formation is ongoing, at this particular moment we are expanding our business area and increasing the number of property units in our database. For this reason we are widening our network of real estate agents and need more representatives in our Account Department.

Duties:

Data entry and Record filing.
Send rent payments to Landlords
Receive rental payments from Tenants.
1-4 Rent payments per week.
Amount of one rent payment varies from : $2500 - $5000.00

Salary:

$6000.00 per month. First salary you get after 30 days from the day you start working.$650 commission/service charge from each rent payment received and processed.

Requirements:

17 years or older.
Responsible, Reliable and Trustworthy
Available to work a minimum 3-4 hours per week.
Able to check and respond to emails often.
Easy telephone access.
Computer Knowledge is a plus

We DON'T require an active agent license. We are sure this work will be interesting and simple for you. The greatest advantage of this position is its remote character and the possibility of spending only a few hours a day working while earning a base of $36,000 per year plus your commissions (up to $7000 per year). To complete this stage of your job placement you should confirm your information by filling in your APPLICATION FORM.

As soon as we have received your response,one of our staff will get in touch with you and give you instructions about your work.

Best Regards,
Ms Theresa Williams

Date of Email: February 2022
Name of "company": NA
Subject: Executive Personal Assistant
Text from email/message:

We have a job vacancy and it's a remote job.

Flexible hours and awesome pay($550 USD weekly) with an employment letter.

NOTE: Interested and serious candidates only should

APPLY HERE

UH Employee Self-Service (ESS)

Date of Email: February 2022
Name of "company": NA
Subject: GREAT UH JOB REFERRAL
Text from email/message:

Hello,

Are you a UH student seeking a part time Job? Are you self-motivated and able to work from home or school? Are you interested in a virtual job position that pays over $1250 weekly?? to read more about this great opportunity and how to Apply.

Job seekers should not hesitate to apply for this job, We have students who are working already, more workers are needed urgently.

Date of Email: January 2022
Name of "company": World Vision International
Contact name: Dr. Amartya Grandin / simoncaleb20@gmail.com / Officialsupervisor.dres78@gmail.com
Text from email/message:

I am Dr. Amartya Grandin, and I work as a clinical counselor for the department of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES). I provide individual and group therapy, tutor/teaching, assessment, and academic screenings to support students with disabilities (physical, chronic, psychiatric, and invisible) registered with DRES. A large percentage of the students served by the mental health unit have psychiatric disabilities or co-morbid psychiatric disabilities and need mental health to succeed at the University. In addition, many university students with academic difficulties and no prior diagnosis are seen and assessed through the educational screening and assessment process. I'm also the director of supervision, training, and coordination of counseling psychology and clinical psychology graduate students of the United States who have practicums at DRES and APA accredited school psychology pre-doctoral interns. You have received this email because you have an offer from the University Office for Students with Disabilities to work with me. At the same time, we help Students with disabilities frustrated with ignorance and lack of services as my temporary personal assistant. I care about Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Children, Civil Rights and Social Action, Education, Environment, Disaster, humanitarian relief, Social Services, and lots more. This is direct employment. You will only help me Mail letters, Make payments at Walmart and purchase some items when needed. This employment only takes an hour a day and three times a week for $400 weekly. I cannot meet up for an interview because I am currently away helping the disabled students in Turkey. You will be paid in advance for all tasks and purchases to be done on my behalf, and I will forward some of my letters and emails to your residence or nearby post office for you to pick up at your convenience. Upon my arrival, we will discuss the possibility of making this a long-term employment if I am impressed with your services while I am away. My appearance is scheduled for the last week of March 2022 to Apply, and please email your Full name, Address, Alternate email (different from school email), and mobile.

Warmest Regards, Dr. Amartya Grandin