NOTICE: Job Scams

NOTICE: Job Scams Trending at GVSU

Help spread awareness regarding scam emails targeting GVSU students.

Recently, there has been an increase in email scams targeting GVSU students with offers of remote work, internships, services, and other opportunities. These scams are designed to trick students into disclosing personal information, depositing fake checks, or making payments to fraudulent accounts. It is crucial to raise awareness about these scams and share this information amongst the community.

If you see something, say something. Use the links below to report phishing, security issues, or to contact the Grand Valley Police Department.

  Report Phishing  Report Issue or Incident GVPD: Non- Emergency Numbers

 

Summary of Scam Attempts:

  • Impersonation of GVSU Staff:

    • Scammers are posing as GVSU professors and staff.
    • They spoof email addresses and use publicly accessible information, such as job titles and department names, to appear legitimate.
    • Typically, the recipients of these scam emails were not actively seeking the opportunities being offered.

  • Phishing Tactics:

    • When a student responds to these emails, the scammer often sends multiple follow-up messages.
    • The goal is to convince the student to deposit a fake “paycheck” and then use some of the funds to make payments to a “preferred agent.”
    • Payments are usually requested via non-refundable methods, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.
    • The scam often involves a pretext, such as the need to purchase equipment or supplies for the new job.

  • Consequences for the Victim:

    • Once the bank discovers the check is fake, the student is held responsible for the lost funds.
    • These scams can be highly convincing, with scammers using elaborate methods, such as sending official-looking checks.

For more examples and recent reported phishing attempts please refer to the GVSU Reported Phishing and Scams page.

 

Red Flags:

Scammers may attempt to trick you by requesting your assistance in ways that involve either personal information or financial transactions. Be on the lookout for the following red flags:

  • Requests to Deposit Checks and Send Money Back:

    • A common tactic is the "check overpayment scam," where the scammer sends what appears to be a legitimate check.
    • Your bank may initially credit you for the check, but once it is found to be fake, you are responsible for any money you’ve spent.
    • Be especially wary if asked to order equipment for a new job (e.g., a laptop or printer) through a "preferred agent" and pay using methods like Zelle or Venmo.

  • Requests for Payment, Especially via Prepaid Cards or Gift Cards:

    • Legitimate offers of employment or assistance requests from GVSU faculty or staff will never ask you to spend money upfront, particularly in the form of gift cards or prepaid credit cards.
    • Any such requests should be treated with extreme caution.

  • Unusual Requests:

    • In some instances, scammers have asked to text message a personal cell phone or send emails to a non-gvsu email account. This is a scam to avoid security detection.
    • If you receive a request to meet someone you don’t know, especially to hand over anything of value, be very cautious.
    • Remember that legitimate GVSU faculty and staff should be willing to use their known GVSU contacts such as a registered phone or email.

Job Scam Examples:

We’re looking for an Influencer Intern to join our growing team. During your time, you will have the opportunity to support a global collection or project based on comfort, style, and an easy everyday feel.

Required qualifications:

  • High level of organizational skills desired
  • Professional verbal and written communication skills essential.
  • Basic computer software knowledge of limited Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Entourage).

Do you have these qualifications?

Kindly answer the following questions with complete honesty:

• Are you a citizen on the United States?

• Have you ever worked as a campus aide to a professor?

• What would you rate your communication skills on a scale of 1-10?(10 being the highest)

Grand Valley State University provides its students and recent graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds the opening to carry out internships to facilitate initial contacts with the world of work, acquire professional skills and guide and facilitate professional choices.

During this program, you'll undertake challenging and relevant work through client engagements, networking events and other exciting opportunities.
These paid internships are:

ON-CAMPUS/IN-PERSON JOBS:
Campus ambassadors/Campus tour guides | Library Assistant | Mail Room Assistants | Administrative Assistants | Resident Advisors/Assistants

HYBRID OPPORTUNITIES:
IT Assistants | Accounting/Finance Interns | Market Research Assistant | Research Study Assistant | Staff Assistant | Machine Learning Intern | Marketing Intern

VIRTUAL/REMOTE JOBS:
Student Influencers | Technology Assistant | Data/Data Analyst Assistant | Assistant web developer | Assistant SQL developer/Database developer | Assistant programmer and software developer

COMPENSATION:
The pay for these programs is between $16-$20, depending on the type of position.

REQUIREMENTS:
* `Enrollment in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or completion of graduation within the last 24 months.
* You cannot have any direct family members in your reporting chain of authority (such as your father, mother, sister, brother), employed by GVSU.

Once you identify a vacancy of interest, reach out to a (scam email address), while providing your alternate email address, major and phone number. State your interest, then proceed with the instructions for the application process.


Kind Regards,
GVSU Career Center.

Hello,

As earlier discussed, attached is the paycheck for the purchase of the office supplies you’ll be working with. A sales representative will assist you with the purchase of these items once the funds are available from this deposit. Kindly proceed to make a mobile deposit and inform me once it’s completed for clearance. Further assignments, as well as your employment documents and contract will be sent once the supplies have been delivered.

I have outlined instructions on how to make a mobile deposit below:

• Print out the paycheck and cut into a check size/shape. At the back of your check, endorse by writing down your;

• Full name

• Mobile Deposit only

• Account number

• Signature

Once you are done, proceed to make a mobile deposit on your mobile banking app and send a screenshot of the deposit for record keeping.

Do confirm once you receive this email.

Hello

I'll like to let you know about an exciting and great job opportunity for the role of a part time administrative personal assistant. This is a flexible job offer that does not affect your current job/studies as all tasks and jobs will be executed and completed in your free time.

 

Job Requirements:

You must possess the ability to work and execute tasks under less supervision

Applicant must be prompt with response to both email and text

 

Compensation:

We will be offering a weekly pay of $450 and compensation for any other additional costs that might be incurred in the line of discharging any assigned duty.

Applicants also stand to benefit from our monthly appraisal monetary compensation.

If interested, Kindly apply by filling your details in the form

HR Job title: Research Assistant


Supervisor:

Eligibility: Applicants can be work-study or non-work-study students. Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

 

Career Field: All Majors - opportunities open to everyone

 

Grand Valley State University, Department of Sociology is currently hiring Undergraduate or Graduate Students to fill the position of Remote Research Assistants on a part time basis for $350 weekly.

To proceed with the application process, submit your full name, functional phone number and year of study via this email address (malicious email)to receive the job description and further information

How to Protet Yourself and GVSU:

  • Do Not Reply:

    • If you receive a suspicious message that seems to be from someone at GVSU, carefully examine the email for signs that it might be a scam. Many phishing attempts can be spotted quickly. If you notice obvious signs of fraud, delete the email immediately and do not respond.

  • Verify and Contact:

    • If the email doesn’t have obvious signs of phishing but still seems suspicious (e.g., offers of jobs you didn't apply for or messages from someone you don’t recognize), take extra precautions.
    • Look up the sender’s contact information in the GVSU directory and reach out to them directly through a verified phone number or email, rather than using the reply-to address or contact details provided in the suspicious email.

  • Report Phishing and Other Email Abuse:

  • If You Have Been a Victim or Concerned:

    • If you believe you’ve given personal information or made payments to a scammer, take immediate action:\
      • File a police report with GVSU Police or local authorities.
      • Contact IT Services if you believe your personal information was compromised.
      • Reach out to IT Security to report the security concern.

Page last modified August 16, 2024
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