Is this scam? Thread poster: czajkowskamb
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czajkowskamb
Italy
Local time: 15:31
Polish to English
+ ...
Hi guys! Just a quick question.
I responded to a job posting on proz.com and got a reply saying that I need to provide a number of documents to start working on the project. They asked for:
- Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)
- Proof of ID (e.g. passport, driving licence, ID card)
- Proof of bank details (e.g. bank letter)
I've never had to provide all these documents before and it seems a bit excessive - in some places that's enough to get a loan in some... See more Hi guys! Just a quick question.
I responded to a job posting on proz.com and got a reply saying that I need to provide a number of documents to start working on the project. They asked for:
- Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)
- Proof of ID (e.g. passport, driving licence, ID card)
- Proof of bank details (e.g. bank letter)
I've never had to provide all these documents before and it seems a bit excessive - in some places that's enough to get a loan in somebody's name or set up a recurring payment on their account.
The email address it was sent from checks out and the company has good reviews on proz though, so I'm a bit confused now.
Has anybody else been asked for all these documents? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Robert Forstag 
United States
Local time: 09:31
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Seems strange | Feb 15, 2019 |
In more than 15 years as a freelance translator, I do not remember ever being asked to provide such information by agencies anywhere in the world. I can also not imagine why such information would be needed.
So it may be a case of someone impersonating a legitimate agency in order to get your information. Whatever the case, it seems very fishy to me....
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 15:31
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
This seems to be someone who is trying to get all your sensitive information a forehand. And then you probably never hear from them again.
When I'm being asked to provide such sensitive information, I politely point out that it will be available on my first invoice. Well, except for my ID. Legitimate customers are happy with this. Those who insist receive a polite thank you, but no thank you. Or, usually, I never hear from them again.
| | | | czajkowskamb
Italy
Local time: 15:31
Polish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
I emailed them to ask why they need all of this information and they replied:
"They are a safety measure against the recent upsurge in scammer attacks and online identity frauds we have had to face. We have had a few cases where scammers stole the identity of reputable linguists and provided bad quality output. We strongly believe that this additional security check ensures both ours and your professional integrity and trustworthiness."
I offered to do a test translation then,... See more I emailed them to ask why they need all of this information and they replied:
"They are a safety measure against the recent upsurge in scammer attacks and online identity frauds we have had to face. We have had a few cases where scammers stole the identity of reputable linguists and provided bad quality output. We strongly believe that this additional security check ensures both ours and your professional integrity and trustworthiness."
I offered to do a test translation then, if it's quality they are worried about but they ignored my suggestion and said that all the documents are mandatory.
I asked why they want me to send all of these documents before even asking about my rate and preferred method of payment, and they said I just need to specify my rate and they will adjust the budget for each project accordingly.
So I said I'm not comfortable with this arrangement and wished them good luck in finding the best translators for the project
Still don't know if it was scam or not, but even if it wasn't I wouldn't provide all that information to anybody.
[Edited at 2019-02-15 15:28 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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IrinaN
United States
Local time: 08:31
English to Russian
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| Double trouble? | Feb 15, 2019 |
czajkowskamb wrote:
the company has good reviews on proz though.
Since, as you say, according to the BB there seems to be a reason to respect the company, at least at a first glance, then there is a chance that someone is pretending to be them.
Maybe you need to contact the manager and get a definite confirmation that the request was originated by them?
As a result, either there will be a good reason to question the truthfulness of all those positive reviews and run as fast as you can, or... you might save them and all of us from the impostors and even get more work from the real agency in gratitude:-)
| | | | Lian Pang
Netherlands
Local time: 15:31
Member (2018)
English to Chinese
+ ...
No, never.
Avoid anyone who asks for such information like a plague.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 14:31
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Their justification? | Feb 15, 2019 |
czajkowskamb wrote:
I responded to a job posting on proz.com and got a reply saying that I need to provide a number of documents to start working on the project.
Have you asked them why? And what they intend doing to protect your personal information? Quote GDPR to them. It gives you a right to an answer at the very least.
Personally, unless they could give me an extremely good reason, I would deny them access to any of them. My postal address would be on the first invoice and so would my bank details. If they could give me a good reason for needing it, I could provide them with a certificate from my tax authority declaring that I'm registered as a self-employed person paying tax and social security contributions on my income. But only if they asked specifically for that. Never, ever, would I provide passport, driving licence or a utility bill. They're personal documents, not professional.
| | | | | Indeed fishy | Feb 15, 2019 |
Did you examine the email header (or "source", as it's called (at least) in Thunderbird)?
Maybe there's a different return address or some other hidden trick?
Asking them why they need all these documents is a good idea. If they're scammers, they will no doubt write some colossal BS.
Additionally, you may ask on Linkedin or somewhere else where you can name the agency, whether anybody worked with them and was asked the same by the same person.
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czajkowskamb
Italy
Local time: 15:31
Polish to English
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TOPIC STARTER | Email checks out | Feb 15, 2019 |
[quote]Katarzyna Slowikova wrote:
Did you examine the email header (or "source", as it's called (at least) in Thunderbird)?
I did indeed and the email address seems legit even though I'm not an expert. This is why I'm so confused - if it was sent from [email protected] it would have been much easier
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 15:31
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
czajkowskamb wrote: ... if it was sent from [email protected] it would have been much easier
True.
Still, this request doesn't sound or feel right, and is not supported by anything. Especially if you have never worked with that person before. Of course they would like to know who you are, and you who they are, but this goes too far, raising red flags all over. One has to be careful when dealing with others online. Still, either they trust you or they don't. Even more so since all details will reach them at the latest with your first invoice. Therefore, there is no need for additional "proof".
[Edited at 2019-02-15 16:02 GMT]
| | | | czajkowskamb
Italy
Local time: 15:31
Polish to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | I will contact the agency | Feb 15, 2019 |
IrinaN wrote:
Maybe you need to contact the manager and get a definite confirmation that the request was originated by them?
I think I will - a) I am really curious now and b) if legit agencies started to ask for sensitive information like that now, god knows what scammers will ask for next - it's just not ok.
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czajkowskamb wrote:
I emailed them to ask why they need all of this information and they replied:
"They are a safety measure against the recent upsurge in scammer attacks and online identity frauds we have had to face. We have had a few cases where scammers stole the identity of reputable linguists and provided bad quality output. We strongly believe that this additional security check ensures both ours and your professional integrity and trustworthiness."
As if scammers, who specialize in stealing and doctoring documents, will have any problem providing all those docs. Apparently this agency needs to learn hard way how stupid and inefficient their demands are.
You did well refusing them!
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 14:31
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Works both ways | Feb 15, 2019 |
czajkowskamb wrote:
I emailed them to ask why they need all of this information and they replied:
"They are a safety measure against the recent upsurge in scammer attacks and online identity frauds we have had to face. We have had a few cases where scammers stole the identity of reputable linguists and provided bad quality output. We strongly believe that this additional security check ensures both ours and your professional integrity and trustworthiness."
Yes, well, that works both ways, doesn't it? I would have asked your correspondent to send you their contract of employment with the agency to prove to you that you're dealing with a "real" agent rather than a scammer . After all, if you were a scammer and they'd allowed contingency, they'd just have a rush job on their hands. If they're scammers, you spend time on the job and then you don't get paid. Whose is the greater risk?
I asked why they want me to send all of these documents before even asking about my rate and preferred method of payment, and they said I just need to specify my rate and they will adjust the budget for each project accordingly.
I would never, ever invest in anything more than a brief exchange of emails with a company that hadn't expressly accepted my terms and conditions. No tests, no application forms, no signatures. Even then, I just had a timewaster say they were acceptable and then send me a contract specifying 75-day payment terms  !!! They still wanted me to jump through all their hoops just in case something came up where they'd be prepared to pay my rate within my 30-day payment period, but in the end we agreed that they'd just contact me if the need arises. I'm not holding my breath .
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