[Tags: scam, craiglist, business]
Thanks goes to Monica Fornaro for sending in this scam.
In a subsequent email Susan Chambers had me order the MCAS kit and it turned out to be from Video Professor. It was ordered through the internet and I was charged $9.95, however when the kit came it was $198.99. I called their customer service and was told I had only 10 days to return or I would be charged the full amount. I immediately sent it back certified. I don't know how Adaptive Tech is connected with Video Professor, but this is definitely a scam. If this company wanted a certified employee they would test them during the interview, she says in the email that she will send a kit, but the next email she sends me has the link to Video Professor.
My guess is this scam is probably requiring new "hires" to purchase the "Video Professor" teaching software and profiting off the affiliate fee paid when somebody purchases the software. You will not get a job from this offer but an overpriced video professor kit.
Adaptive Tech Co may be a real company, however, this job offer is a definite scam. These scams often use real companies to try and appear real. Do not respond to any job emails from "Adaptive Tech Co" or "Susan Chambers".
If you received another job scam featuring another company please forward the email to
(This email address does not accept attachments for security purposes)
How do I spot a job scam?
- The message is for a position that you did not apply for
- The message is from or asking for a reply to an email address from a free email provider (ie: @aol.com, @yahoo.com, @gmail.com, @rocketmail.com)
- The position is for a work at home job. Let's get real here most of these positions are hard to come by.
- The message provides no phone and/or no mailing address
- You are "hired" for the position with no actual real life interview.
- The company does not have a website or the website was created in the last year. Do a whois lookup to see when a domain was created.
- The job list few or no qualifications
- The message is written with poor English
- A Google search for the company finds little or no history for the company
- The email fails to mention you by name. Starts off with generic opening (ie: Dear job seeker, Dear applicant).
- The work at home position involves receiving payments, money transfers, or check cashing.
What should I do if I provided my information to scammers?
- Do not respond to further communications.
- Do not cash any checks you received from fraudulent offer.
- Do not direct wire any money to addresses provided.
- If you sent bank Information: Call your bank immediately and tell them what happened. They should be able to change your account number or cancel your account.
- If you are still concerned you might want to enroll in credit monitoring such as LifeLock Identity Theft Prevention
- You can also file a claim with The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). They are probably overloaded with these types of claim though, so I would not expect an individual response. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau or your states attorney general's office
- Post a comment below with any information you have on this scam to inform other people to try and avoid any future victims. Post the email you received with exact wording if different from original posted so when people search for terms they find this warning.
Copy of Original Scam Email
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:38:10 -0500
Subject: Re: Administrative Assistant Position-1385165783
From: susanchambers@adaptivetechco.com
To: [[address removed]]
Hello Monica,
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member at Adaptive Tech Co.
The exact position that you are replying in reference to has been filled; however, we do have different office assistant position available.
Your main responsiblities will be record keeping and data entry. You will need to be able to use Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Power Point, Access, and Excel.
The position is either full or part time. The full time position requires 40 hours a week; Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm. The part time position requires 25 hours a week; Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm. We are looking to fill both positions in 2 weeks. Pay is $16/hour and benefits will be discussed during the in person interview.
In order to qualify for this postion, you must possess your Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification. If you already have this certificate, please bring it with you during the interview.
If you do not yet have your certificate, we will provide material for you to learn and take the test. The learning kit will cover Microsoft Office 2007, and once you finish with the kit, a test will be provided at the end for you to earn your MCAS.
If you are interested in the full time or part time position, please submit your job application and include your resume at the following link. Note: To speed the interview process up, we are checking for your background online via the link. You will make an account, and able to also check your own records.
http://www.adaptivetechco.com/apply
We here at Adaptive Tech Co. look forward to meeting and further discuss this postion with you.
Susan Chambers
Adaptive Tech Co
Follup - Email #2
To: [[address removed]]
Subject: Adaptive Tech Co. Application Followup
From: susanchambers@adaptivetechco.com
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 16:27:04 -0400
Hello Monica,
We have reviewed your application, and you have all the credentials and attributes to fill the position. We will setup a meeting with you at the most readily available time, and will call you shortly. Please bring your MCAS certification. If you do not have one yet, donÂ’t be alarm.
We have a DVD learning kit that will let you take the MCAS test with ease. In it will include the exam to earn your MCAS certification. You can get the kit from our source at
http://adaptivetechco.com/video-professor-ms-office/?mn=6891
Please select the Microsoft Office Integration kit. There might be a slight shipping charge, but you will be compensated for at the interview. You will be scheduled for an interview after we receive word that you received the MCAS certification from our neighboring company.
We here at Adaptive Tech Co. look forward to meeting and further discussing this position with you. Feel free to ask any questions.
Susan Chambers
Adaptive Tech Co.
If you receive this scam and found this post helpful please post a comment so I know these warnings are being read! Thanks!
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Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Monday December 14, 2009 @ 05:07 PM
I got ripped off from Video Professor as well, if they knew this scam was going on, then they should have stopped it, because I'm sure they are getting complaints from their unhappy customers who said they were only to pay $9.95 and are getting chaged $189.95! Video Professor should refund these customers because they were obviously connected with it, unless they can prove otherwise!
Wednesday December 30, 2009 @ 03:55 PM
Letter to Video Professor – December 30, 2009
Dear Video Professor,
I received a confirmation that I would be issued a refund "upon receipt" of your returned product. Your representative, Justin informed me that I had been issued a credit authorization for $189.95 on Nov. 6, 2009. After sometime waiting for said credit to appear, I became frustrated and called customer service AGAIN only to be informed that said credit would take 15-30 days to appear. Upon calling after said period of time, I was informed that it is indeed BUSINESS days. Well, now I have waited over 30 BUSINESS days and your representative Diane promises me that this credit has been approved - yet, I have received no such credit. Apparently, you can further extort my funds by imposing some sort of "escalation process," which includes holding on to MY MONEY another 10-15 days (and NO she did not say BUSINESS DAYS, but I’m next time I talk to you, that will be the case. But all of this, I am sure you are aware. Because, it must be your standard business practice. However, all I want is my $189.95. I have followed all of your procedures and conditions and found the product, and particularly, the customer service process extremely disappointing. It seems a small request for you to fulfill the word to which you have already willingly agreed. Simply, when can I expect my refund?
Monday May 17, 2010 @ 12:32 PM
I am one more on th radar from the video professor!
I fell in for the one free video DEMONSTRATION?
That is what I believed it was intead I end up with a charge of US$ 399,00 on card whic if banc vard!
I called and spoke with someone that sent ma number to mail back I did mailed it to Colorado however this week end it cameback to me.
Can I have contact with peole that are together in this to stop this scammers????
Monday November 30, 2009 @ 01:20 PM
I wasn't so lucky to find this out until after my account was charged 189.99 and now I'm fighting with Video Professor for my money back. They said that I should receive my refund in 21 to 30 days and now its 37 days and i still haven't received my refund. I have called them 3 times and now they tell me its going to be another 5 to 10 days to get my refund. Will I ever get my refund from these frauds?