INDIANAPOLIS -- The Better Business Bureau has a warning out about a company, supposedly based in Indianapolis, for ripping people off as part of a work from home scam.
Corey Corbin of Wilmington Delaware got an email on Feb. 3 from Advanced Auto Imports, offering him a client manager position.
“I was in the process of looking for jobs and just assumed it was a response from CareerBuilder,” said Corbin.
Corbin said after submitting documentation to the company and passing a background check, he performed three weeks’ worth of work for Advanced Auto Imports.
“On the third week, I was supposed to be paid a check amount of $3300,” said Corbin.
The company asked him to do a $2,815 wire transfer to a vendor in Russia.
After the transfer, Advanced Auto Imports locked him out of the work portal and he was unable to reach anyone from the company.
“It’s clearly a scam,” said Corbin. “I’m kicking myself because I was just looking for honest work. I thought I was pretty savvy, but this really looks like a legitimate opportunity.”
Call 6 Investigates attempted to reach the company via their 317 area code phone number and email, but did not receive a response.
Call 6 Investigates Kara Kenney stopped by the address listed on the company’s website, 1111 E. 54th Street in Indianapolis.
However, Advanced Auto Imports was nowhere to be found and people who work in the building say it’s never been located there.
"We've had about 60 calls from around the nation to the Better Business Bureau about this particular scam,” said Tim Maniscalo, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana. “They've got a 317 number and it's being run out of Indiana or at least what the number says."
The BBB and Corbin want to spread the word so that others don’t work from home and get ripped off in the process.
“This company has my social security number, my bank account information," said Corbin. “I would just tell people to be careful.”
How to Avoid Work From Home Scams:
Tips from the Better Business Bureau
Do thorough research - Get as much information about the job listing and the business as possible. Check out the business at bbb.org; make sure they have no unanswered/unresolved complaints. Ask the employer for references of employees who are already working and ask them about their experience. If the business will not provide references, consider this a red flag. Search online for the business’ name and “scam” to see if anything comes up.
Avoid “make big money” offers - Be cautious about jobs that provide a large salary with little work. Do not take any offers that claim you will make lots of money quickly. Working at home requires the same work ethic and skills as any other job. Be cautious of jobs that advertise no experience necessary but offer high pay.
Keep your money - Be on the lookout for offers that require you to spend upfront fees to work for their business. Real employers do not charge potential employees for information about a job. Avoid offers that involving you paying a fee for start-up kits. Be protective of your personal bank account information and never let a business use your personal account to do their job.
Ask questions - Ask the employer exactly what tasks you will be responsible for and what you will be doing. Ask the employer how you will be paid, how often you will be paid, when you will receive your first check, and how much the check will be. Find out where the business is located and are they easily contacted.
Check legal requirements - Work involving medical billing often requires a specific license. Check with your state’s attorney general; some work is restricted and cannot be done from the home.
