My Life in Poems

"Employed"

I got contacted by CNO FINANCIAL GROUPS by John Kent via text for an Administrative Assistant, Data Entry, and Accountant Assistant position.

I picked Accountant Assistant for this remote job from Carnel, Illinois.

It was too good to be true, but I was so desperate to work again, due to my first job loss in Annapolis.

I took the offer, not knowing what I was getting myself into.

I was sent to Google Hangout for a brief interview by Dominion Foster.

He asked for my name, address, phone number and the typical questions that a real interviewer would ask.

I got the job.

My training tasks was to write articles about customer service skills, admistrative assistant roles, business schools for administrative assistants, and to reduce overdues in business.

Seems like a real job to me.

Then, a week later, I received a Western Bank check of $3,850 with my name on it with the signature of John Kent with a Calhoun Truck Company as my sender.

I was amazed at how much money I made for my little accomplishments on these trainings.

I was asked to deposit the money because it was mine, and I happily did.

Until I found out it was not for me. It was for CNO's company funds.

I was told to give $1,000 to a stranger named Ebony McSwain through Zelle.

I told Foster that I was scammed before and didn't feel comfortable giving him a lot of money, and asked to quit.

He told me that I work for the company funds, sympathized with me, and said this is not a scam.

I believed him, so...

-$1,000

I messed up Ebony's email address.

+$1,000

Fixed it and resent.

-$1,000

Asked for more....

-$1,500

Asked for more...

-$1,300

Asked for more, finding out I didn't pay in full from that check...

-$50

I beg him to let me quit. He wouldn't let me and said that I can't because I am working with the company funds and it is not to be played with. So, I owed him.

He asked me for another $1,000 for working materials.

I asked what kind of working materials.

He said an automated time card for a grand. He seemed very convincing and convinced me.

I couldn't transfer the money. I attempted. Then, he instructed me to use CashApp. I couldn't transfer the money from there either.

Then, he asked me to go to Walgreens for eBay gift cards. I refused because that was how I was scammed.

I kept telling him I don't want to get scammed again. He said the same thing. This is not a scam. So, I said I'll try the next day, so I did on Zelle for the automated time card.

-$1,000

For Ebony's working materials

-$1,000

For MY working materials

-$1,000

I demanded to be reimbursed and he mailed me another check with $9,850 from FedEx, hoping this is my own money. I was told to deposit that, but can't.

My mobile deposit access gets denied. I call the bank. Told them my situation.

When this lady from my bank heard my story, she told me.

I feel like a "smart" fool.

The check was a bad check that it bounced.

No wonder the available balance wasn't matching with my total balance.

We investigate. Advised to call the police, clear my phone and laptop.

I call the police

Clear my phone

Clear my laptop

Useless waste of gas

Useless waste of time

The next day, I demanded Foster to show himself and he refused and blocked me.

I was so desperate to work again that I had ignored the signs, even when it was mentioned and right in front of my face.

I thought I was too "smart" to let it happen to me again. I was suspicious but convinced to not be, and to trust him.

FTC only advises me. No money

Police did nothing. No money

Zelle denied my claim and refused to refund me. No money

Useless waste of time

Useless waste of energy

Useless waste of a case

Useless waste of space

I hate it here

This is when things got worse for me. I was taken advantage of while I was already dealing with shock due to a job loss. I was very vulnerable.

It doesn't matter how intelligent you are or suspicious you are, whether you had experienced it or not, you can still get conned out of your money and for your personal information. Be careful if you are applying for work because the scams are growing and getting smarter, tougher, trickier, and sneaker than ever before. Scams are now using job sites to scam vulnerable job seekers.

After what you just read caused me to question humanity. Look up signs of employment fraud or job scam before you become their next victim. Do not ignore the signs like I did. 'Luck.