Scammers have been using the names of local businesses — such as The Lumberjack restaurant — to trick job seekers out of their money.
The popular family eatery at 475 Tecumseh Rd. East took to social media earlier this week to inform the public that ads posted on the website Indeed.com for server and cashier jobs at The Lumberjack were not placed by management.
“Although the ad has now been removed, it was published for six days before being brought to our attention,” The Lumberjack’s management wrote.
“Beware! This is not The Lumberjack restaurant. We do not list jobs on Indeed.”
Windsor police were notified about the false postings.
According to the investigators with the Financial Crimes Branch, the postings were part of a known scheme in which fraudsters pose as legitimate companies offering job opportunities.
Unsuspecting job seekers contact the scammers thinking they are communicating with a potential employer.
The scammers convince the victims that they are being hired. Cheques are sent to the victims under the pretence of wages.
The victims are told to deposit the cheques. Then they are directed to send a portion of the funds back — due to fabricated reasons such as equipment or software costs, service costs, or “overpayment.”
Once the victims send their own money to the scammers, the cheques that were deposited bounce and the victims are left at a loss.
“Legitimate companies do not generally ask for any money to be sent or send money prior to any work being completed,” Windsor police advised. “If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.”
Members of the Financial Crimes Branch remind the public to always be cautious about sharing personal information, whether online, via phone, or in person.
dchen@postmedia.com