Scams Are Evolving In 2025 Fast!
I recently had a close call with a scammer who tried to steal my personal information and/or money through fraud. I’m writing this blog post to share my experience and warn others about this scam.
How It Happened
An individual impersonating a BELAY Solutions representative contacted me via my college email. They claimed to be offering a remote Virtual Assistant position with a compensation of $500 per week for 1-2 hours of work per day, three days a week. All communication took place through chat messages. I was then instructed to fill out a Microsoft Form with my personal information.
After submitting the form, I was asked to confirm my availability and readiness to start immediately. Shortly after, the scammer sent me a check by email for $**992.00, claiming it was for my first training task. The first red flag was how the numbers were printed on the check.
Front
Back
They instructed me to deposit the check via mobile and follow additional steps.
The check-raised suspicions; it appeared fraudulent. Upon further evaluation, I identified several red flags that confirmed this was a scam:
- The unrealistic pay for minimal work made the offer suspect.
- The scammer did not conduct a formal interview process.
- The email address and other details did not match BELAY Solutions’ official communication channels.
- The check itself was counterfeit.
Additionally, I realized that the scammer had accessed my bank account number and name through the initial form submission.
Details of the Scam
- Email Address Used: dr.keith@belaysolutions.com
- Job Offer Position: Virtual Assistant
- Compensation: $500 per week
- Requirements: 1-2 hours of work per day, three days a week
- Check Details Amount: $992
- Issuing Bank: “Master Trust American Savings Bank,” Honolulu, HI
- Payee Name:
- Address on Check: 733 Bishop St., Suite 2302, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Communication Method: Chat-based messages, Google Docs, Microsoft forms,
- Request from Scammer: Deposit the fraudulent check and follow additional instructions.
Actions Taken
I took the following actions to protect myself:
- Ceased all communication with the scammer.
- Did not deposit the fraudulent check.
- The incident was reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their online complaint portal.
- Notified BELAY Solutions about the impersonation attempt by contacting their customer support line.
Important Notes
This scam attempted to steal private data and/or money through fraud, relying on impersonation and counterfeit documents. I did share my account number, home address, and email information.
Tips to Avoid Job Scams
Here are some tips to protect yourself from scams like this:
- Be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true.
- Always research a company before providing any sensitive details.
- Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know and trust.
- If you think you may have been a scam victim, immediately report it to the FTC.
I recognized the scam before losing money. By sharing my experience, I hope to prevent others from falling victim to this fraudulent scheme. Remember, staying vigilant and informed is essential for safeguarding yourself online. This scam is particularly deceptive because it obtained personal information from several legitimate email addresses on LinkedIn, which gave the impression that the email originated from a reputable source.
Here is the text message that they sent me yesterday & today:
Are you done with the deposit?
Good morning. Wishing you a relaxing and rejuvenating sunny day! Take your time, unwind, and enjoy the outgoing day.
Dr.Kieth (dr.keith@belaysolutions.com)
Additional Resources
I hope this blog post is helpful. Please feel free to share it with your friends and family.
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