A job scam using the name Stage Ham Entertainment is circulating. Do not fall victim to this scam.
Over the past few days, there have been inquiries from potential applicants regarding an opening as a Storyboard Artist – this is a job scam. Please be aware that this is not associated with Stage Ham Entertainment, Stage Ham Creative, or any of our companies. Names that you might be contacted by are Chris, Arturo Vargas, or Raul Philips. None of these people work or are associated with our company.
If we have any job openings you will find them clearly listed on our website.
Do not give them any financial information, IDs, or money. Oftentimes these people will say they will pay for your supplies, then overpay what they promised asking you to cash the money order and send the extra to someone else they need to have paid. After you have sent the money from the cleared funds, the money orders are flagged as fraudulent and you are out hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
If looking for jobs through websites like ZipRecruiter, Indeed, StaffMeUp, Mandy or other job boards be cautious about companies reaching out to you via email to offer you jobs without an interview. Check their policies to make sure that everyone is following the rules.
If you are a victim of Identity Theft please visit https://www.identitytheft.gov
The fraudulent message you may receive may look something similar to this:
Good Morning [NAME],
Congratulations on joining Stage Ham Entertainment, LLC Attached to this email is the Company Employment Offer Letter you need to sign. You are directed to print-out this letter, read carefully, append your signature and email back the signed offer letter.Please note that, on acceptance of this employment offer, the following equipment will be delivered to you to set up your home office, the funds for the purchase of the equipment will be made available to you prior to purchase and delivery.
*Apple iMac Pro (27-inch Retina 5K display, 3.2GHz 8-core Intel Xeon W, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
*Dual Monitors
*External hard drive/backup system.
*Headset with microphone.
*Set of furniture
*Copiers
*Card Filing Systems
*File Cabinets
*File Folders
*Sorters
*Hp LaserJet Pro M15w Printer.
*Graphics generator and software
*Data Storage and Microfiche
*Digital Storage
*Inks and Ribbons
*Surge Protectors and Automated Time Tracker
*Computer Hardware and Software.
*Pencils, Paper and Post-It Notes
*High-Speed Internet Access
*Stress Ball
You are to attach to this document a copy of your valid ID for employment confirmation and email back with the signed offer letter.
After signing this offer letter, the check to pay for the equipment listed above for your mini office will be mailed out to you, then you will begin training as soon as you take delivery of the equipment.
Note: Upon signing of this contract with the company you are bound by LAW to not destroy any of the company’s property i.e. Equipment sent and delivered to you for your work or Check sent to you for payment. Contravening any of these rules will render this contract null and void and penalties will be incurred.
Accept the assurances of our best wishes and please stay safe during this pandemic.
Warm Regards,
Raul Phillips
Stage Ham Entertainment, LLC.
The instructions you might receive could look like this: (DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS – IT IS A SCAM AND THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY)
PLEASE READ BELOW
” Confirm that you have received this email by sending me a reply back first, it’s important you let me know. Thank You! “
How to make the deposit:
1. Print out Both the front and back of the check on a regular paper. Sign at the back of the check.
2. Logon to your Bank’s Mobile app.
3. Click on deposit check
4. Take a picture of the front and back of the check making sure all edges of the check appears on the picture.
5. Submit.
6. Once done, you are to have the Confirmation of Deposit emailed back to me for further review with the accounting dept. Thank You!
NOTE: Use the restrictive endorsement as indicated below:
You’re to write ” For Mobile Deposit Only” on the first line
And put your Signature… on the second line
You will receive a confirmation email or a verification code of deposit.
How this scam works.
1. Print out Both the front and back of the check on a regular paper. Sign at the back of the check.
2. Logon to your Bank’s Mobile app.
3. Click on deposit check
4. Take a picture of the front and back of the check making sure all edges of the check appears on the picture.
5. Submit.
They are hoping to be able to fool the mobile check deposit software since a physical person is not viewing the check. This is a major red flag as a company will never pay you in this manner. You will be required to submit tax paperwork and a typical hire process if you are to join a team as staff.
6. Once done, you are to have the Confirmation of Deposit emailed back to me for further review with the accounting dept. Thank You!
A company will never ask you to send confirmation that your check has been deposited correctly. This is to make sure they can monitor the status of their fraudulent check. They will then say that they need you to return some funds because of overpayment or that they need you to pay someone for their work with the money they sent you. If you send the money with the thought that the check will clear you will lose everything that you have sent transferred. If you wait too long and the check bounces you will be charged a fee by your bank and be out money.
If they send you a document on letterhead, know that the poorly designed document is not our document and the people whose names are on the file are not in any way associated with our company.
Documents they might send you.
If you are a victim of Identity Theft please visit https://www.identitytheft.gov
You can report a scam at https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds
