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What Is a VM Agency Text Message Scam? Beware!

Date: 09/03/2024 | Written By: Aneeb Ahmad
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Highlights

  1. Scammers pose as the VM Agency, sending fake job offers via text or WhatsApp. 

  2. In 2022, 14 million people fell victim to job scams, losing $2 billion, according to a BBB study.

  3. Scammers often promise high salaries, quick hires, or ask for fees. 

  4. Be wary of unsolicited job offers, unrealistic salaries, brief interviews, and fee requests.

  5. If scammed, use identity theft protection services, alert your bank, and spread awareness online.

In today's tough job market, scammers are taking advantage of job seekers by offering fake work from home jobs with no experience. One scam that’s becoming more common is the fake "VM Agency" recruitment scam.

This scam targets victims through spam emails, texts, social media, and messaging apps. Scammers attract people with promises of high salaries and great benefits for remote employment opportunities such as customer service or data entry jobs. But these job offers are just a trick to steal money from those who apply.

In this article, we’ll explain how the fake VM Agency text message scam works. By understanding their tactics, job seekers can better protect themselves from this harmful scheme.

 What Is the VM Agency Text Message Scam?

The VM Agency text message scam is a recent job offer and recruitment scheme. Scammers send text messages pretending to be from VM Agency, offering jobs. It’s important to know that the real VM Agency doesn’t offer jobs through social media. The real VM Agency is a Slovak company with Slovak phone numbers that start with +421. They do not send job offers directly to people's inboxes.

A Better Business Bureau (BBB) study found that in 2022, 14 million people were tricked by job scams, losing $2 billion.

People report getting texts from someone claiming to be from VM Agency, offering a job. But this is a scam. Many people fall for it because they’re unemployed and seeking work.

       Common Types of VM Agency Text Messages

A VM Agency text message usually falls into these categories:

  1. Job Offers

These messages claim you’ve been selected for a high-paying job. They often ask you to reply or click a link to learn more.

  1. Deals or Discounts

Another common type promises big savings on products or services. The message might include a link to redeem the offer.

  1. Requests for Verification or Updates

You might get a text asking you to update your account details or verify your information.

How Does the VM Agency Scam Text Message Work?

Scammers send a WhatsApp message claiming to be from VM Agency and offer a job. But it’s a scam. If you reply, they trick you into paying an "application fee." Desperate job seekers often fall for this scam, losing their money and sometimes becoming victims of identity fraud. Many people have reported receiving these fake recruitment texts online.

 Warning Signs of VM Agency Text Message Scams

Over the past five years, there have been 294,000 reports of job scams in the U.S. Nearly one-third of these complaints involved financial losses, up to $737 million. On average, each job scam cost victims about $8,700. 

Here are some warning signs that will help you detect fake job offers:

1 – Unsolicited Recruitment Text

If you get an unexpected job post offer through WhatsApp, text, or email from a company you didn’t apply to, it’s likely a scam. Legitimate companies follow a proper hiring process and won’t send random job offers out of the blue.

2 – Pay That’s Too Good to Be True

High pay sounds great, but be cautious if the salary exceeds the industry standard. Scammers often lure victims with promises of high pay for little to no work. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3 – Quick and Shallow Interview

A quick, surface-level interview is a major red flag. Scammers often conduct short interviews via apps like Signal or Telegram, then quickly say you’re hired. Real companies take the time to thoroughly interview candidates to make sure they’re a good fit.

4 – Requests for a Fee

If you’re asked to pay any fees after the interview, like an “application fee” or “upgrade fee,” it’s a scam. Legitimate employers never ask employees to pay for a job.

   What to Do If You Fell for a Fake Job Offer?

  1. Enroll in Identity Theft Monitoring

If you’ve shared personal details or your CV with scammers, sign up for identity theft protection services like Experian or Aura. These services monitor databases for suspicious activities, like changes to your address, new utility accounts, or payday loan applications. Experian offers a free basic monitoring plan, or you can opt for their premium plan at $24.99 per month.

  1. Alert Your Bank About the Fraud

If you paid money to scammers, contact your bank immediately. Provide them with screenshots of your conversations and payment receipts. Ask about the possibility of a chargeback to recover your money.

  1. Spread Awareness of the Scam

Share your experience online in forums or on Reddit to warn others. You can also report the scam to government agencies like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) so they can issue public warnings.

Summary

VM Agency text message scam seriously threatens job seekers, taking advantage of people looking for work. Scammers use tricks like unexpected job offers, promises of high pay, and fee requests. To protect yourself, be aware of these signs and take action if you’re scammed. Sign up for identity theft protection, contact your bank, and share your experience to help others avoid these scams.