getting desperate for a job

[Kazilan]

I recently received this email in response to an application:

Hi Email,

I see that you are interested in the job we posted thru craigslist. After reviewing your resume, I believe you'd be a good candidate! As you know, we are looking to hire ASAP, so I'd probably need you to come in for an interview Tuesday through Thursday. Are you available either of those days?

Before you come to the interview, I need you to do a free credit check through our affiliated company. Don't worry! We are not looking at your score, or judging based on your score. We just need it for security reasons because if hired, you will be dealing with a lot of sensitive company data. Go to this link ( http://bit.ly/altarcredit ) and get your credit report, we will be automatically notified. Then write back after you take it letting me know your availability for Tuesday through Thursday for an interview!

Since we do want you on our team, you should know that its strict company protocol to have this credit check done through our affiliate only. We work with investment banks that require this extra level of security. If you do not take the credit check, we will not be able to schedule an interview under any circumstances.

Thank you,
Jessica Brown
HR Specialist
Altar Group

Aside from the Dear Email part, this is surprisingly well put together for a bogus email and I've received so many obviously fraudulent responses to applications that I'm having a hard time telling them apart. I'm not planning on responding but is there any way that this is for real? The link sends me to creditreport.com, which has a B- BBB rating. Job searching gives me a headache. I can't find this "Altar group" anywhere either.

[SpiritWarrior]

It's fake - 100% sure. No interviewer asks you to do a free credit check, plus this website (http://bit.ly/altarcredit) is BS, if that is the real address he gave you. Don't touch it. But yes, it is more convincing than the usual jargon, and certainly would fool someone who isn't seasoned in weeding these things out.

[VulcanRider]

A Whois search of altargroup.com turned up an owner in South Korea with a hotmail address. Doesn't inspire confidence, does it? I agree though, this is one of the best phishing emails I've seen. Give 'em your info and you'll be at the altar, praying you get your financial peace of mind back...

[Hindsight]

Maybe if you can say you did the credit to Jessica Brown HR Specialist, you be get the interview. Then, if it is real, you could always say an internet error happened or something?

I just search the Altar Group and can find no company of this. Only Alter Group I found in google.

[Memnoch]

Originally Posted by Kazilan I recently received this email in response to an application: Hi Email, I see that you are interested in the job we posted thru craigslist. After reviewing your resume, I believe you'd be a good candidate! As you know, we are looking to hire ASAP, so I'd probably need you to come in for an interview Tuesday through Thursday. Are you available either of those days? Before you come to the interview, I need you to do a free credit check through our affiliated company. Don't worry! We are not looking at your score, or judging based on your score. We just need it for security reasons because if hired, you will be dealing with a lot of sensitive company data. Go to this link ( http://bit.ly/altarcredit ) and get your credit report, we will be automatically notified. Then write back after you take it letting me know your availability for Tuesday through Thursday for an interview! Since we do want you on our team, you should know that its strict company protocol to have this credit check done through our affiliate only. We work with investment banks that require this extra level of security. If you do not take the credit check, we will not be able to schedule an interview under any circumstances. Thank you, Jessica Brown HR Specialist Altar Group Aside from the Dear Email part, this is surprisingly well put together for a bogus email and I've received so many obviously fraudulent responses to applications that I'm having a hard time telling them apart. I'm not planning on responding but is there any way that this is for real? The link sends me to creditreport.com, which has a B- BBB rating. Job searching gives me a headache. I can't find this "Altar group" anywhere either.

Personally, I don't think it's real. It's probably a keylogger. Make sure you clean your PC of malware if you did click on that link.

If they really did need your credit score get it from one of the three credit agencies and send it to them.

[Kazilan]

Ah the old South Korean keylogger trick, I should have known. Thanks for the input everybody, I guess the old 'if something is too good to be true' adage is still right. Just sucks that getting an interview is now 'too good to be true'.

[Memnoch]

I'm sure there are still ways you can see if the interview is legit. Get in touch with the company again and ask if you can provide your credit score another way. Good luck

[SpiritWarrior]

They don't want his score, they just want his digits, lol.

Don't worry! We are not looking at your score, or judging based on your score. We just need it for security reasons because if hired, you will be dealing with a lot of sensitive company data

Notice how they never explain why the hell they want him to do a credit check. If they don't want or care about your score then just what do they want? And, if logging in and performing a "free credit check" is the criteria used to determine whether a person can handle "sensitive company data", then trust me - it can't be all that sensitive.

I would avoid the thing totally if I were you, don't bother giving them more bait, as they will then give you more info. to consider, of course packed with promising job positions once you complete these few "easy steps". It is only natural the scammers will prey on people hurting during the recession and this 100% reeks of scam. Sounds like a solution to all your job woes, but will in fact, create more finanacial trouble for you than you can handle. If they get their hands on your SS# it won't be as simple as cancelling a credit card at the bank.