Troy teen loses bank account access after falling for job scam disguised as school email
Scammers send fake job offers disguised as school emails to trick teens into cashing counterfeit checks and giving up bank details. The victim loses access to his bank account.
How it works
A teen receives an email that looks like it came from his school but is actually a fake job offer. The scammer asks him to deposit fake checks and handle money transfers. When the checks bounce, the bank discovers fraud and closes the account.
Red flags to watch for
- Job offer arrives via school email address, not official employer email
- You are asked to deposit checks or handle financial transfers as part of the job
- The check amount is unusually large for a first task
- Bank freezes or closes your account after deposits fail
- Job posting offers pay with no interview or application process
What to do
Do not deposit checks from unsolicited job offers, especially ones sent through school email. If you get a job offer, verify it by calling the company directly using a phone number from their official website. Tell a parent or guardian before opening any bank account or depositing money for a job. If your bank account is closed, contact your bank immediately to understand why and ask if the account can be reopened.
If this reached you
Source: WXYZ ABC Detroit . Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.