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Share this PageTop 10 Scams of 2007
The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois has released its top 10 scam list for 2007. Even though this is a regional list, it fits nicely with what we're seeing here at Fight Identity Theft:
1. Check Scams
Would-be victims receive a check in the mail, allegedly for winning a sweepstakes, lottery or promotion. The check supposedly covers taxes or other fees (see the text of the letter below). Here's how the scam works:
- You deposit the check in your bank.
- You then pay the fees described in the letter via a money transfer.
- Unfortunately there isn't any prize money and your bank eventually will tell you that the check you deposited is a forgery.
- You now owe the bank the money ($2,998.65 in the example below).
- You try to track down the money you sent out via money transfer, which is just about impossible.
- The scammers are now richer and you are poorer.
Here's a sample of a check one of our readers received in the mail. The scammers will often place a reputable company on the forged check:
2. Advance Fee Lenders
These frequently will contact people by phone after they've filled out an online loan application or have found an advertisement in a local newspaper.
This is a similar scam to the check scam described above.
3. Online Employment Offers
Offers that look for "shipping" or "billing managers," "payment processors" or anything with a financial sounding name very frequently turn out to be fraudulent listings that are, in actuality, looking for victims to commit money laundering.
Other bogus online employment offers request money for travel, work visas, etc. Some scammers don't ask for money, but instead ask for your personal info (name, DOB, SSN, address, mothers maiden name) in order to steal your identity or sell your info to someone that will.
Be extremely careful when dealing with online employment. Don't send money to anyone. Use a company's main number and then ask for your contact within the company vs. just dialing direct to the number you've been given in order to verify your contact really works at the company you're interested in.
4. Lottery/Sweepstakes Notification Letters
Epidemic in proportion, these are very much like the fake check scams.
5. Overpayment Scams
These usually are found in forms of online ads and typically in places such as Craigslist or other classified forums on the Internet.
Same kind of scam as #1 with a slight twist.
A check overpayment scam begins when a scam artist replies to the classified ad or auction posting and offers to purchase the item for sale with a check, then comes up with a reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price for the item. The scammer asks the consumer to wire back the difference after the check is deposited. Later, the scammer’s check bounces, leaving the consumer liable for the entire amount.
6. Mortgage foreclosure rescue scams
Scammers contact residents and offer them a desperate plan that is affordable and supposedly allows them to keep the home. Here's how it works:
The scammers will offer to lower your monthly mortgage payment while also promising that in a short time you can own your home free and clear of any debt. The con artist claims to offer or arrange for a new loan but instead tricks the homeowner into selling the home to the con artist or a third party and agreeing to either lease the home back or purchase it back on a land contract. The con artist or third party will pay off the existing mortgage or take out a loan. If the scammed homeowner lived in the home for a number of years, he or she likely built up and is surrendering significant equity. Equity is the market value of the home minus the value of all mortgages and other liens on the home. The con artist now owns the home and has stripped or taken the equity out of the scammed consumer's home.
Consumerlaw.org has a great pdf which covers this fraud in detail - http://www.consumerlaw.org/news/ForeclosureReportFinal.pdf
7. Marketing/Investment Scams
People are solicited by mail or e-mail and told they can make thousands of dollars working from home by buying a special kit, book or tape collection.
8. Inheritance Scam
An e-mail or letter is sent to the victim from someone claiming to be related to them, or from somebody that claims to know that the victim's distant relative is either very sick or has died and left inheritance money.
9. Phishing Scams
Generally, e-mails are sent from what looks like a legitimate bank or financial institution, asking for confirmation of account numbers and personal information.
- See some examples of a typical phishing email - Paypal phishing scam.
10. Nigerian Scam
E-mails or letters are sent from someone claiming to be an official or agent from a foreign country, informing the recipient he or she is seeking a foreign company or individual into whose account they can deposit funds left over from government funds, a business bank transaction or a confiscated family inheritance.
- See some examples of a typical Nigerian Email Scam.
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48 Comments
Anonymous
i to recieved an e-mail from "eurostarstravel" david lengyel. same e-mail as above wanting my info faxed to there "usa" #. what a crock
Dave
Anytime I hear the words "pay you extra" + "Nigeria" + "different address" I can only think it is a scam.
An ipod is not a unique item and there's no reason anyone will pay you an "extra" $100 when they buy one except if they're trying to scam you.
I would not ship the ipod and I would get out of the transaction however you can. Craigslist.com makes it very clear that you should not sell to out-of-state buyers because many of them are scam artists.
Seller beware...
Anonymous
I'm wondering if this is a scam-
I'm selling an Ipod on craigslist and a man emailed me about buying it. But, he said that he was at an out-of-state confrence so he would have to pay me through pay-pal. He also said that he would add an extra 100 dollars because he needed me to send the ipod to his daughter, who is in Nigeria studying abroad. I requested the payment through paypal, and I got an e-mail from pay pal the next day, saying that he had paid the money. In my inbox there was also another e-mail(that was sent 10 minutes after the first) from pay pal saying that because I had not given them the mailing code(over a period of time!), ensuring that I actually did ship the Ipod, they were going to have to result in criminal action. I think this is a scam because they don't result in "criminal action" 10 minutes after you got the first email saying you needed to send the mailing code. Usually this happens if it has been weeks, and you still haven't mailed the product, NOT minutes. what do you think?
Anonymous
I also received mail from David Lengyel. I also thought that if you cannot give me a phone number, then we cannot do business. I also went to the website that they tell you to go to, I also found no information that could comfirm that it was a sure deal. They also claim that in August of 2009 they will open up a office in Columbus, Ohio and if you need to work out of that office, they would provide housing at a hotel for you. I e-mail them back to see if they cover the cost of the hotel housing or what, never heard from them again. It FEEEEELLLLS so wrong, so I am turning my information in for scam material against them as well
Anonymous
EuroStars Travel:
Thanx for the heads up. I have been dealing with David Lengyel as well. I have been asking him alot of questions, he seems to tap dance around them. Being a retired Marines Infantry and Recon man, I was skeptical any ways. Especially since he was in a hurry to get my personal info. Big trigger there!!!
They even have thier own website set up with useless information. If someone cannot give me a phone number or POC I am not dealing with it.
Anonymous
RE: Eurostars Travel:
The people who are doing this scam are very smart. But, once you respond, and received the additional information from them, you realize quickly that it is a scam. The person I got an e-mail from calls himself David Lengyel, but that could be fake as well. Anyway, here are the instant scam give-aways:
1) Upon simply requesting additional information, you get a response saying "Thank you for accepting our job offer" (first give-away, as such over-eagerness would never come from a serious company. A serious company would interview first, etc.....phone interviews at least, if they're located far away).
2) In the job description they say that sometimes you might have to receive checks (first scam give-away) .....and then a long explanation why (second give away...no serious company would ask you to personally receive checks).
3) Then, they go on to say that you must forward the money, using Western Union or Money Gram (third scam give-away: Western Union and Money Gram payments cannot be traced. No serious company would ask you to do that)
4) Then they go on to say that you have to forward the money within 4 hours of receivng the check (fourth scam give-away and the most serious one).
This fourth scam give-away is how they scam you. The checks are most probably forged, or otherwise fake. YOU SHOULD NEVER SEND ANY MONEY BEFORE A CHECK HAS CLEARED, WHICH CAN TAKE SEVERAL DAYS. If you send the money and the check (obviously) bounces, you become responsible for paying the entire amoung out of your own money.
So, BEWARE! These scammeres are becoming more and more shrewd.
Anonymous
i just heard of them. they sent interest in me becoming a travel coordinator. u?
Anonymous
Has anyone heard of a company from Spain called Eurostars Travel Inc. The managers name is Carlos Santana
Anonymous
I had a similar incident like Robert Shaw.
I had a man named Cano Seoubre from Spain. He said he had worked for Windrams Associates in Madrid Spain.
Said he was a lawyer for someone who had died in a Tsunami. He said he had left behind 8.8 Millinon dollars, and that I could be the owner of a a vault. The vault company was called Scrolla Safe Keeping.
They wanted me to pay taxes and past dues on the vault to get it released to me. They ended up asking for around $20,000. Not sure how high it would have gotten to if I continued to play. Thankfuly I caught on and didnt send any large sums of money.
I had come to find out that The ScrollaSafe keeping Company dosent exist.
Its a shame that evil men like that pray on families. Hopefuly karma will catch up to them.
Rosa
Actually the correct website is http://www.ic3.gov/contact/
Rosa
This is a scam. Notice how Ellis has not posted her comments and responses from my last request. Also, Please note there are many forms of the same name. This person and or company uses Ellis or Ella which is almost similar. We should all file a complaint to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov.
emowdee
any one can prove me wrong???? i doubt it!
emowdee
i've already posted a comment in here and it git erased. planera project is definitly a scam. now i'm sure !!!
emowdee
Can anyone tell me about planera project and the career planet because i'm receiving emails from them too. Ellis Rowe, can you help with more info and maybe a phone number ? thx
Alex
P.S. Has anyone gone to planera's website? They have a section in which you can send e-mail comments to the company. However, the submit button is not even a link, it's simply HTML code that does nothing. You can even erase the word submit. I wish people would get an honest job or go to jail.
Alex
I probably shouldn't tip these clowns off, but notice how Ellis Rowe doesn't use prepositions in his sentences? He/She should learn (the) English language better (if) you want to run (a) scam. This is a glaring red flag in the fraud industry. I worked for a large bank, I'll spare the details, but this is something we were taught. A perfect example was the Nigerian government funds scam. Prepositions are hard to define and do not translate in certain languages, hence the choppy, incoherent speech. Pretty pathetic actually.
Rosa
Ella, i keep asking you to post your website. I guess it is not real like your are saying. Why do you keep erasing the question?
Ellis Rowe
Ellis, I sell Planera Project goods in internet. I think you didn't asked them to give you phone number to communication. But they don't communicate with candidates by phone, because there are many people who want to work with them and speak by phone to know more about the job.
Rosa, I sell Planera Project's goods. Yes, I have phone. I live in Alaska.
Rosa
Ellis
In what state are you located???
Rosa
what kind of work are you doing for them???? Do you have a telephone number?
Ellis
What kind of work are you doing for them?? How come they dont offer a telephone number to communicate with them?
Ellis Rowe
Jude, we all are people and could make a mistakes. So you did a mistake in one word in your post, may be you are scammer too? Or you are blind and don't see red lines under words with mistakes?
Rosa, I was in Planera Project main office in Sweden and had a meeting with John Swanchen (president of Planera Project Inc.) last year. Now I'm absolutely sure in this company and earn not bad money with them.
Now there are a lot of scammers in internet and it's very hard to distinguish the truth from lie. But if you didn't try to work with someone, don't call him scammer, and don't discredit company's name, because you don't have any proofs!
Ellis Rowe
I'm know, there are a lot of different scammers in internet and sometimes it's very hard to distinguish the truth from lie. But how can you discredit company if you didn't work with them? First mind is not always right!
Rosa, what proof you want? I was in their main office in Sweden in April, 2007 and had a personal meeting with John Swanchen (president of Planera Project). So, now I'm sure in my work.
Jude, they are people like you and me and they can make mistakes because they are people! And Jude, it seems you don't know how to use spell check too, may be you are a scammer too?
Rosa
How can you prove you have been working for them for the last 14 months?
Jude
Planera Project is deffenitley a scam. They are a big waste of your time trying to have you open bank accounts.
If they our such a good company and reliable don'you think they should know how to use spell check. LOL
SCAMMERS!!!!!!!!
Ellis Rowe
I don't know why you think Planera Progect is scam - I work with them already 14 months and I have never had any problems with them. Anybody can prove me that it's scam?
Kerim
I just wanted to add one more these scammers
Please dont believe these things
I dont know who would belive them.
Dear Kerim,
Thank you for your answer, I'm glad that our offer is interesting for you.
I want to give you more information about this job.
Our Swedish partner, Planera Project design studio, looking for candidate for the position of Assistant Director. And we should to find the candidate for this position use their requirements.
Planera Project provides their customers with wide variety of design services for many years and has a great experience in this sphere.
Recently, the management of the company has decided to develop US market, and for this purpose they need an associated business unit in US. This decision is also motivated by having difficulties for European companies with the ability to sell products and services for US customers as well as intention to avoid heavy domestic taxes (as you could know, Swedish taxation is probably one the heaviest in the Europe). So they are going now to file an LLC in US. They will apply to the company specializing in company formation in US. After the LLC is formed, they will need a Assistant Director, who is to represent this associated company in US. Maybe it sounds too complicated, but actually the duties are quite easy.
Planera Project is planning to create a Web-store for US company to sell their original products online. They are provide this products with online marketing, hosting, web development, print graphics or support. To accept payments online, it will be necessary to have a merchant account. Unfortunately it is impossible for European company, which has a merchant account in European bank, to accept payments online from US customers (basically, it is possible, but with a lot of limitations that make it impossible). So the Assistant Director, as a company representative, will need to arrange a merchant account in US.
Planera Project will provide him with all necessary information and instructions. It is expected that the US business unit Planera Project is applying for will have a business bank account, but to the moment, they are not sure yet, so maybe Assistant Director will also need to arrange a business bank account for the associated company.
So, the primary Assistant Director's duties are:
a. You should to register LLC. Planera Project will pay for all process.
Planera Project will register LLC for used on-line services.
b. Business bank account and Merchant account maintaining and monitoring; c. Handling business correspondence and transmitting it to Planera Project by fax or by mail (all expenses are reimbursed).
d. Being in touch with Planera Project's representative by e-mail and folowwing his/her instructions.
It will take 1-2 hours a day max to handle all of these duties.
The Assistant Director will get a commission, 5% on net profit of the associated company's Web-store.
Please let me know about your decision about this applying to this position and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Sincerely,
Hanna Berit
TheCareerPlanet Inc., thecareerplanet.com
Robert Shaw
We have been scamed by Phillipe Gonzalas he had notified my wife as the next of kin to Stanilus Holtmeier. Phillipe told us that he was the personal lawer and close friend befor he had died.Phillipe told us that befor he past he had deposited 16.8 million into a safe deposit company (Germinis Safe keepings) they kept asking for money for filing fee for the advicate we told him that we didnt have the whole amount he sed he would pay the remainder to the high courts.Once he had the proper papers he presented the papers to the vault co. The vault co called us to interview my wife to prove that she was a realitive so that we would pass theinterview Phillipe provited us with informotion about Mr. Holtmeier then they told us that we needed to pay the taxes on the vault so the vault could be released to my wife. I thank god that we only lost 250.00 befor we caught on to there scam....
uncle kevy
From: Elsa.Norberg@thecareerplanet.com
Subject: [SUSPECTED SPAM]Re[2]: Job offer
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:30 EST
Dear Kevin,
I am so sorry for my long reply.
Thank you for your answer, I'm glad that our offer is interesting for
you.
I want to give you more information about this job.
Our Swedish partner, Planera Project design studio, looking for
candidate for the position of Assistant Director. And we should to
find the candidate for this position use their requirements.
Planera Project provides their customers with wide variety of design
services for many years and has a great experience in this sphere.
Recently, the management of the company has decided to develop US
market, and for this purpose they need an associated business unit in
US. This decision is also motivated by having difficulties for
European companies with the ability to sell products and services for
US customers as well as intention to avoid heavy domestic taxes (as
you could know, Swedish taxation is probably one the heaviest in the
Europe). So they are going now to file an LLC in US. They will apply
to the company specializing in company formation in US. After the LLC
is formed, they will need a Assistant Director, who is to represent
this associated company in US. Maybe it sounds too complicated, but
actually the duties are quite easy.
Planera Project is planning to create a Web-store for US company to
sell their original products online. They are provide this products
with online marketing, hosting, web development, print graphics or
support. To accept payments online, it will be necessary to have a
merchant account. Unfortunately it is impossible for European company,
which has a merchant account in European bank, to accept payments
online from US customers (basically, it is possible, but with a lot of
limitations that make it impossible). So the Assistant Director, as a
company representative, will need to arrange a merchant account in US.
Planera Project will provide him with all necessary information and
instructions. It is expected that the US business unit Planera Project
is applying for will have a business bank account, but to the moment,
they are not sure yet, so maybe Assistant Director will also need to
arrange a business bank account for the associated company.
So, the primary Assistant Director's duties are:
a. You should to register LLC. Planera Project will pay for all
process and you will receive $500 as soon as your LLC will be create.
Planera Project will register LLC for used on-line services.
b. Business bank account and Merchant account maintaining and
monitoring;
c. Handling business correspondence and transmitting it to Planera
Project by fax or by mail (all expenses are reimbursed).
d. Being in touch with Planera Project's representative by e-mail and
folowwing his/her instructions.
It will take 1-2 hours a day max to handle all of these duties.
The Assistant Director will get a commission, 5% on net profit of the
associated company's Web-store. The lowest guaranteed commission is
$10000/year.
Please let me know about your decision about this applying to this
position and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Sincerely,
Elsa Norberg
TheCareerPlanet Inc.
joaquin
I got a brochure today on what to do. Very useful.
CHAMIRE
OH MY GOD G2 I RECEVED THAT SAME CONTRACT. THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP
CHAMIRE
I THINK SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SCAM A COMPANY PLANERA PROJECT LOCATED IN SWEDEN , I DID SOM RESEARCH , THEY ARE TRYING TO SCAM ME, SAID THAT GOT MY INFO FROM CAREEER BUILDER.
Dragon
i received some e mail from swedish company about job ofer. Something fishy is going on here and i wont go on with it. it is kind sad that i cant even post resume online without thinking who might misuse it. i gues only way is old fashion way, go out look for hiring signs and newspapers.
G2
Out looking for a job??-- this is group (Stanford-Dale Recruiters)after your info to sell to 3rd parties. If you go to their site and to try to sign up or apply for a job,they take your info but let you any further to "veiw" their job bank!! Then you start getting all the crap offers! Hopefully, they give it some really bad dudes.
"From: JOBS Stanford-Dale
Subject: I saw your resume... please complete application. SD
Response to your resume posting.
We have received your name and email from your resume posting service while reviewing your information. We may have some job opportunities that will interest you.
Please go to: Stanford-Dale.com, Job page.
If your are interested in our open positions you can apply on-line.
To view jobs, click this link. Available Jobs."
APPEARS TO BE TOTALLY BOGUS FROM A JOBS PERSPECTIVE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~J~
I receive at least 2 sorts of scam emails a day.
What I like to do is reply to their message by typing
"Your Under Investigation" in the subject line;
then sending them a similar scam email by
copying and pasting the same type of scam someone else
had sent me.
(Hoping it may scare them I know it will not make them
quit but possibly slow them down by having to set up
new addresses and such.)
G2
THERE APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER ONE...PLANERA PROJECT SOLUTIONS associated with the same bunch of scammers...they didn't bother to remove "Kreateeve Solutions Inc"; wanted me to add the "Planera Projects Solutions, Inc." name in its place. They appear to be working with/through "TheCareerPlanet.com". I've cut out the middle of the contract as it is available on an ealier submission.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT This Independent Contractor Agreement is made effective for all purposes and in all respects by and between Kreateeve Solutions Inc. (hereinafter known as "Principal") and (hereinafter known as "Contractor") who shall collectively be known herein as "the Parties". RECITALS WHEREAS, Principal desires to engage Contractor, on an independent.........................
IN WITNESS WHEREOF and acknowledging acceptance and agreement of the foregoing, Principal and Contractor affixes their signatures hereto. PRINCIPAL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
PlaneraProgectSolutions Inc. Name : _____________________________
By: John Swanchen Address: ___________________________
Title: President ___________________________________
Address: Finlandsgatan 16, SE-164 74 Kista,Sweden Phone #: ___________________________
Phone: +46-031 799 59 48 Date: ______________________________
smarterthanscam
HERE IS ANOTHER SCAMMING EMAIL:
From: Lady Rebecca Thatcher.No:36 Old Shrewberry Street,London England. Beloved,i am Lady Rebecca Thatcher., suffering from cancerous ailment..Iused to be married to Sir Jeremy Thatcher an Englishman who is dead andresting peacefully. My husband was into private practice all his lifebefore he passed. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum ofTwenty Million Pounds (20,000,000.00 Million Great Britain PoundsSterling)which were derived from his vast estates and investment incapital market with his bank here in UK. Presently, this money is stillwith the Bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days tolive due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from. Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to thecancer. With this hard reality that has befallen me, I have decided todonate this fund to you and want you to use this gift which comes from myhusbands effort to fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans,destitute, the down-trodden, physically challenged children, barren-womenand persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially.I took thisdecision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please assureme that you will act just as I have stated herein. Hope to hear from yousoon.You can contact me through my personal email addressat:thatcher_ladyreb@yahoo.co.uk Stay Blessed. Sincerely yours, Lady Rebecca Thatcher.
Tonya
I actually went as far as to receive a money gram for "Toray Textiles" and listed a bogus name. Just wondering what I could do to bust this guy!!!
Bobbie
I got the same one today from Staff drive for Kreateeve Solutions.......Thank you guys for posting, it looked suspicious, I just printed the "Contract" and Googled the company name and it let me right here to this blog..
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for saving me from potentially making a huge mistake.
Bonita Butler
Yoga Teacher services are also a target.
But anyone providing professional services can be hit with this variation:
A Request for services, a son/daughter coming to your area soon needs your service (yoga classes in my case) and a moneyorder or cashiers check arrives, the contact tells you there was an overpayment, please cash the check and wire the overage payment to some overseas address and account.
I just got these "checks" today and investigated through web.
Kelly
I also checked out KreateEve.com's website and followed up with three of their portfolio representations. I can't find any info on any of the sites I checked out indicating that KreateEve actually designed their site. I even called one of the companies and they could not verify that anyone but themselves designed their website. Just thought I would let you know.
Kelly
This is the agreement I was sent from the company (staffdrive). The English is non too great, and the contract is soooo nebulous as to be rediculous. It basically says that the employee has to do all of the company's work for them, and pay for it to boot. They say they will reimburse the contractor, but don't specify how when or in what manner. Too shifty for me.
Page 1
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
This Independent Contractor Agreement is made effective for all purposes and in all respects
by and between Kreateeve Solutions Inc. (hereinafter known as "Principal") and
(hereinafter known as "Contractor") who shall collectively be known herein as "the Parties".
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Principal desires to engage Contractor, on an independent contractor basis and
Contractor wishes to accept such engagement on the terms and under the conditions recited
below;
The premises having been considered and with acknowledgment of the mutual promises and
of other good and valuable consideration herein contained, the Parties, intending to be legally
bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRINCIPAL
the Principal shall provide Contractor with a business entity (Associated Company) to
manage;
the Principal shall develop and set up an e-commerce web-site for the Associated
Company and spend on marketing to bring customers and generate profit for the
Associated Company;
the Principal shall reimburse the Contractor for the expenses that Contractor can have
while maintaining performing his duties;
the Principle shall furnish the Contractor with utmost guidance and exhaustive step-by-
step instructions during entire period of Agreement effect;
the Principal shall neither use the Contractor’s personal and business information in any
unauthorized or illegal manner, nor share this information with any third party.
2. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTRACTOR
the Contractor shall set up a merchant account in the name of Associated Company for
accepting payments from customers of Associated Company and shall maintain this
account;
if Principal has any difficulties with setting up a business bank account for Associated
Company, the Contractor shall set it up and maintain this account;
the Contractor agrees to share all information about both accounts with the Principal and
understands that he/she is not eligible to change, modify any account information without
a written notice to the Principal;
Page 2
the Contractor shall handle business correspondence and transmit it to the Principal by
fax, mail or e-mail;
the Contractor agrees to devote time, energy and ability sufficient to the interests of the
Principal, and to perform the Contractor’s duties in an efficient, trustworthy and business-
like manner;
the Contractor agrees to maintain timely and constant e-mail communication with the
Principal and comply with directives from Supervisor;
the Contractor shall not do or permit anything to be done to prejudice the market image of
the Principal’s product or the Principal itself.
3. REQUIRED CONFIDENTIALITY
For so long as Contractor shall remain engaged by Principal and for a period of one year after
termination of the Agreement for any reason, Contractor shall not disclose or communicate
any "Confidential Information" of Principal to any person or entity nor use said "Confidential
Information" for any purpose or reason other than the benefit of Principal. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, "Confidential Information" means (but is not limited to) any information
regarding Principal's business methods, business policies, procedures, techniques, research
or development projects or results, sales information of any kind, financial information of any
kind, trade secrets or other knowledge possessed by Principal which is not generally known
by third parties. Also, "Confidential Information" shall additionally include, but not be limited
to, the follow information of Principal:
a. Price lists or other pricing information;
b. Customers information;
c. Sales strategy, tactics, or methods;
d. Information pertaining to products or services under development;
e. Internal company reports of any kind.
4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS FOR TAX PURPOSES
Independent Contractor shall report and pay to the proper state and federal agencies
self?employment taxes upon all compensation earned in performance of this Agreement. The
Parties agree that Contractor, for state and federal tax purposes, holds the status of
"Independent Contractor".
5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR COMPENSATION
For all services rendered by Contractor under this Agreement, Contractor shall receive a
commission of 5% on net profit of the Associated Company. The Contractor shall withdraw
his/her commission from the business checking account strictly upon Principal’s instruction.
Page 3
6. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT
Principal shall engage Contractor commencing on the date the Agreement is signed by
Parties. There is no fixed date for termination of this Agreement and it shall stay in effect until
either Party gives proper notice to another and during ten days after the notice is actually
received.
Principal may terminate this Independent Contractor Agreement at any time "for cause", the
grounds for which are defined below. In case of termination for cause, Principal shall have no
obligation to Contractor for compensation or any other form of benefit under this Agreement
except for compensation earned prior to the effective date of termination.
Principal must give actual notice of termination to Contractor to terminate the Agreement for
cause but may deliver said notice by any manner, either orally or in writing. Commission of
any of the following acts by the Independent Contractor constitute grounds for the Principal to
terminate Independent Contractor Agreement "for cause" under this paragraph:
a. Independent Contractor is charged with a felony crime;
b. Independent Contractor commits a crime of moral turpitude such as an act of fraud or
other crime involving dishonesty;
c. Independent Contractor fails to perform his or her duties in a competent manner;
d. Independent Contractor violates his or her duties of confidentiality and/or
non?competition under this Agreement;
e. Independent Contractor fails to comply with directives from Supervisors;
f. Independent Contractor commits any act or acts that harm the Principal's reputation,
standing, or credibility within the community(ies) it operates or with its customers or
suppliers.
7. MODIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT
Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in
connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if evidenced in written amendment
signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.
8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Each party acknowledges that he or she has had an adequate opportunity to read and study
this Agreement and to consider it.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF and acknowledging acceptance and agreement of the foregoing,
Principal and Contractor affixes their signatures hereto.
PRINCIPAL
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
___________________________________
___________________________________
Kreateeve Solutions Inc.
Name :_____________________________
By: Martin Hyvonen
Address: ___________________________
Title: President
___________________________________
Address: Frejgatan 13, 11479 Stockholm
Phone #: ___________________________
Sweden
Dated: _____________ ____, 2008
Phone: +46-46-288 52 67
Kelly
I just received the same set of emails from the Swedish company as mentioned above. I have yet to hear anything substantive back in return for the email I sent them. If it feels this creepy, then it must not be good.
Rick
I just got an email from staffdrive.com also. Thanks for posting this. Based on your experiences I'll just trash it with no response at all.
Chris
I have not only received this one but at list 3 more and they where in reference to my Resume posted on Career Builder.
Anytime you are dealing with an out of country company you need to check them out and look at your liability and out of pocket.
Also you need to make sure they are not putting you in a position of breaking any laws.
George
I recieved one of the foreign company " funds transfer job " through monster.com. I guess these on-line job seeker sites are not safe. I assumed an inquire was routed through monster.com and screened accordingly.
Stephanie
Here is the correspondence that we had:
Hello,
I represent recruiting company StaffDrive "(http://www.staffdrive.com).
I have found your resume on CareerBuilder.com
and we considered that one of our positions may be interesting for you,
according to you skills and background.
We have a vacancy for position of Remote Business Assistant.
This is part-time in-home position requiring 1-2 hour a day.
The minimum salary on this position is $1000/month.
If you are interested, I'll provide you with all details
and we'll consider you as a candidate.
if you are not interested, anyway please let me know
and we will try to find something for you.
Best regards, Astrid Jacobsen
Me:
Thank you for your offer, but I'm looking for a full time job.
The response:
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for your reply, I'm glad that our offer is interesting for
you.
Let me provide you with some more detailed information about the
vacancy.
Our client from Sweden, Kreate Eve design studio, has applied to us
with a request to find a candidate for the position of Remote Business
Assistant. And we were authorized to take selection according to their
requirements and provide the candidate with all the details.
Kreate Eve provides european customers with wide variety of design
services for many years and has a great experience in this sphere.
Recently, the management of the company has decided to develop US
market, and for this purpose they need an associated business unit in
US. This decision is also motivated by having difficulties for
European companies with the ability to sell products and services for
US customers as well as intention to avoid heavy domestic taxes (as
you could know, Swedish taxation is probably one the heaviest in the
Europe). So they are going now to file an LLC in US. They will apply
to the company specializing in company formation in US. After the LLC
is formed, they will need a Remote Business Assistant, who is to
represent this associated company in US. Maybe it sounds too
complicated, but actually the duties are quite easy.
Kreateve Eve is planning to create a Web-store for US company to sell
their original products online. To accept payments online, it will be
necessary to have a merchant account. Unfortunately it is impossible
for European company, which has a merchant account in European bank,
to accept payments online from US customers (basically, it is
possible, but with a lot of limitations that make it impossible). So
the Remote Business Assistant, as a company representative, will need
to arrange a merchant account in US. Kreate Eve will provide him with
all necessary information and instructions. It is expected that the US
business unit Kreate Eve is applying for will have a business bank
account, but to the moment, they are not sure yet, so maybe Remote
Business Assistant will also need to arrange a business bank account
for the associated company.
So, the primary Remote Business Assistant's duties are:
a. Business bank account and Merchant account maintaining and monitoring;
b. Handling business correspondence and transmitting it to Kreate Eve by
fax or by mail (all expenses are reimbursed).
c. Being in touch with Kreate Eve's representative by e-mail and folowwing
his/her instructions.
It will take 1-2 hours a day max to handle all of these duties.
The Remote Business Assistant will get a commission, 5% on net profit
of the associated company's Web-store.
The lowest guaranteed commission is $10000/year.
Please let me know about your decision about this applying to this
position and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Sincerely,
Astrid Jacobsen
StaffDrive Inc., http://www.staffdrive.com
Just a bit confusing
Stephanie
I recently recieved an e-mail job offer for some Swedish company. They need someone in the states to handle there US bank accounts b/c as a Swedish company they can't. They sent me an e-mail with all the details and then summed it up. I read it all and was still a bit confused about the job expectations. I may drag it out a little longer just to see what happens, but I won't be giving them any personal info or money.
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