A Work-At-Home Success subscriber forwarded me an email she received about a job with the United Nations and wanted to know if it was legit. Its not. This is a check scam by which organizations say they need your help to process payments. This scam comes with a variety of “job” types. Sometimes its customer service. Other times its mystery shopping. The key to remember is that NO LEGITIMATE ORGANIZATION WILL ASK TO USE YOUR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT TO DO BUSINESS!!! Never forget that.

The scam works like this:

1) The organization sends you a check that you deposit into your bank account.

2) You get a cashiers check for the money minus 10% which is your “payment”. You send the cashier’s check to the organization usually in another country.

3) Within days or even weeks, your bank will contact you to let you know that the check you deposited is bogus and you are liable for the money you sent in the cashier’s check.

4) If this over draws your account, your bank may take away your banking privledges until its paid back.

Your best bet to avoid check scams is to remember to never use your personal bank account or open a bank account for the purpose of helping a company do business.

Below is a copy of the email.

> From: UNITED NATIONS <email removed>
> Subject: Part Time Job With UNITED NATIONS
> To:
> Date: Sunday, December 21, 2008, 10:43 AM
> UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS [UNAID]
> 20, Avenue Appia
> CH-1211 Geneva 27
> Switzerland
>
> JOB VACANCIES
> The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS] has very
> limited vacancies and is recruiting Liaison Officers
> [LO's] to assist the Organization in the
> funding of its projects in the USA and other parts of the
> world which includes humanitarian assistance to victims of
> HIV/AIDS, research and training, grants,
> medical teams and equipment, medicines, tents, food,
> various kinds of emergency equipment, etc. Job location is
> in all States of the USA.
>
> THE ASSIGNMENT:-
> – assist UNAID receive financial and material donations
> from donors in the USA on behalf of the UNAID and forward
> same to the representatives of these groups
> in the UK, Europe and payment for materials in the USA as
> shall be instructed by the UN Commissioner, London. The
> Liaison Officer’s will be the link between the donors
> and UNAID.
>
> WHO IS ELIGIBLE:-
> – individuals above 18 [employed, unemployed] students,
> owners of businesses and companies, etc
>
> REWARD PACKAGE:-
>
> – UNAID approved a Monthly pay of $520 [paid after a 30-day
> circle] in addition to a 10% Commission for every donation
> received by you on behalf of the UNAID
> with estimated earnings of about $300 – $800 weekly.
> Donations are usually mailed to the LO’s by donors.
> Please note that your assignment doesnt require any
> personal expense on your part whatsoever, as all expenses
> are chargeable to the UNAID.
> These assignments requires diligence and integrity. As part
> of our supervisory policies, the UN health commissioner will
> reach you regularly and kindly note
> that you are expected to respond to emails promptly and
> must be reached on phone always.
>
> 1. FULL NAMES
> 2. ADDRESS: STREET:-
> CITY:
> STATE:-
> ZIPCODE
> 3. VALID PHONE NUMBERS: WORK:-
> HOME:-
> CELL / MOBILE:-
> [ A MUST]
> 4. EMAIL ADDRESS
> 5. SEX / AGE
> 6. PRESENT OCCUPATION
> 7. BUSINESS / COMPANY NAME
> 8. NATIONALITY
>
> Upon your response, your contact details will be sent to a
> donor who will quickly contact you for the purposes of
> making a donation to you.
>
> Thanking you in advance for your kind services to humanity.
> Jon Kind
> UNAIDS Recruitment Officer