I recently received the following:
Seems innocuous, right? Let's get that paper!
But there are several red flags already. The sending email is @ shiftilt.com, but the job is at Gautier Steel? A quick search shows Gautier Steel's process is to submit applications to Heather Carns at an HR email. It also mentions paper applications, which strongly implies they don't support remote listings.
The spelling of the sender's name does not match between their email profile and their signature in the email. Finally, a quick search of my email history shows the original job application was submitted several months ago. (The lag here is deliberate... they want you to have forgotten your application, or to be more desperate, by the time they schedule an interview.)
But let's play along for a bit and give some availability.
The next red flag jumps right out. My name is not "Tony". The second red flag in this email is a coincidence, but still amusing. Monday, January 19 is a federal holiday in the US. No US-based hiring manager would casually schedule on a holiday without confirming that it's still okay. Realistically, no hiring manager would be working on a holiday. Even if the steel mill runs 24/7/365 the main office and supportive functions would be closed on a federal holiday.
The biggest red flag you can't see at a glance, you have to hover your mouse over the email link.
This is where they get you. And they try to funnel you into it right away with their "Feel free to test the link ahead of time."
From here I know it's a scam, but I'm curious about their process and knowledge level, so I send one last follow-up. Thank you, looking forward to it. Can you please confirm the timezone for that interview?
They think they're in the clear, and have me on the hook, but their response actually surfaces more damning evidence. Right after their response where their email threads in what they are responding too, it surfaces the real time zone. My email was sent to them at 12:27 PM EST, but their email is configured 7 time zones east of that, possible somewhere in Eastern Europe or Africa.
Did you count the red flags? If you get to three and still think it might be real, always confirm with the actual company in question.
Still don't believe me? Let's ask Heather!
Be safe, y'all!
