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Old 02-20-2008
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Default Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
Over the last several days an ad seeking Virtual Assistants has been running in the classifieds of our local paper. A request for job details is to be sent to a hotmail address which of course already screams scam. Curiosity got the better of me and I requested the info from my g-mail addy. Here's the reply I received ...... about the same format as others.


fromJohn woods <j_woodworks@hotmail.com>


dateWed, Feb 20, 2008 at 12:55 PM
subjectRE: VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
mailed-byhotmail.com

hide details 12:55 PM (1 hour ago) Reply


Hello,
Thanks for your response to the posting...
We are looking to employ a work at home financial assistant/secretary who'll handle billing and handle a full inventory of monthly billings,payments and activities routed through him/her
I own http://Woodworksfurniture.homestead.com/ where we sell our brand of hand-made Interior furnitures online.I need a company assistant/secretary to help payments,live help for customers and keep records of transactions going on,I have to be very mobile,as i need to import and export a lot of furnishing materials as the best of them are actually produced in Europe.
We should be handling the whole business on here but having a local secretary handle payments and having many hands on deck has it's advantages,I travel a lot and when a buyer wants to make a purchase when I'm on company errand, he\she has to hold-on till i return to place an order,on the long term.The effect is our customers start sourcing for other suppliers so having a secretary always at hand has it's numerous advantages.We have lost too many deals due to this and I'm trying to put an end to it.
We have store in Fremont, CA. We sell products mostly here in US and in Canada.The best form of
payment is via a traveler checks and money orders as they are readily available and since payments come from a wide range of consumers these means is an easy option for those that prefer the old fashioned cash means and money order way of transaction.Most of the buyers we work with are those we've previously handled successful transactions with,new buyers are verified by me so you have nothing to worry about.
The general idea is, you receive the payment from buyers according to their preferred mode of payments directly from the
individual buyer,in your mail and have them cashed at your bank.
You send the payment to our suppliers/vendors when I need you to, or directly to the company and your pay is 8% of the amount sent to you.
An average transaction is for $2,500.00 and upwards. All charges during cashing,sending of payments and transaction
completion will be deducted from the balance after you've gotten your pay and not deducted from your pay so your pay is fixed on the amount cashed per transaction.If you can handle as many as 3 transactions per week,but you'll be handling one(1) initially to see how efficiently you can carry your tasks out and complete transactions. On 3 transactions you're sure of nothing less than $500 weekly.The hours are flexible and you can decide when you wanna work,I don't need you online 24/7 just online on a daily basis and check your emails regularly.
Working with me will also not disturb your other jobs as I require that applicant only have easy access to the net,be reachable easily and respond/carry out instructions sent as soon as possible.
Hope to hear from you and indicate your interest in the position by sending me your full contact details in this format...

Full Names...
Physical Address...
City...
State...
Zip code...
Cell Number...
Home Number...
Email Address(Pry & Sec)...



Thanks,
John woods.
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Old 02-20-2008
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam
Great catch - thank you so much for taking the time to post this here!

Is it a print ad in your local paper? If so, I'd suggest phoning them up to let them know.
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Old 02-21-2008
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
Tess

Yes .... it was in both of our local newspapers. We have a morning and an evening newspaper plus classifieds on-line. I did contact the newspaper and forwarded the e-mail to the department manager.

I expect to see things like this in e-mails but not advertising in print.

Thanks!

Kim
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Old 02-21-2008
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
How interesting! A newbie VA I know got this as an email last night! She called me right away for my feedback.
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Old 02-21-2008
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
Hey - but they have a "Testimonial" on their "comment" page:

Quote:
“I wanted to write thank you for your great customer service. I was able to get great information and great products for a great price. What more could you ask for!"

John Doe
San Francisco, CA
Wasn't that nice of Mr. Doe to offer a testimonial?
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Old 02-21-2008
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
LOL - seriously?? I missed that one....
That cracks me up.
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Old 02-22-2008
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
Yes .... it was nice of Mr. Doe to provide great feedback. How ironic, in order to reach the California business, you must call Seattle, Washington (area code 206).
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Old 02-24-2008
Kerri-Ann
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
As a newbie I had such an encounter, I instinct told me it was too good to be true. Thankfully there was someone I called immediately for advice.

Thanks sis. You're the gr8est.

Kerri-Ann
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Old 02-25-2008
mivas
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Default Re: Local Classified Ad Seeking VAs - Scam - John Woods
John Doe.. isn't thatr just a big giveaway (rofl)
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