Video: Online Scam Targets Columbus Couple

[syndicaster id=’5596213′]

COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI) — A Columbus family wants everyone to know about the latest scam. Care.Com is an online company linking potential employees with people needing their daily working skills. Scammers apparently sneaked in trying to get money from an honest hard-working couple.

The unscrupulous characters “unsuccessfully” tried to take advantage of them.

When Dedrick Anderson and his wife Turmonia applied and were accepted for a position through Care.Com, a legitimate online agency providing jobs for baby sitting and care of the elderly; they had no idea they would first be asked to send money to scammers who apparently got their information somehow. First, the Andersons got two checks in the mail totaling almost $5,000.

“And they told her as you noticed the check is for more than we promised that we would send so if you would be so kind, send us the balance but don’t send it to us, send it to a travel agent and they would in turn make reservations for us to come,” said Dedrick Anderson/Columbus.

The online company, legitimate, but shysters somehow got attached to The Andersons. One check was supposedly drawn on the Renasant Bank of Tupelo.

“I called the bank, the bank said the check was legitimate on face. And then after further investigation found out that the signature on the check was not,” said Dedrick Anderson/Columbus.

Another check from a North Dakota bank was just as worthless.

“Mid America Aviation. And I was the 17th person to call that day about that check… sure did sir,” said Dedrick Anderson.

Luckily the Andersons did not deposit the worthless pieces of paper from the scam vultures. Instead they contacted the authorities.

“I’m like this, you didn’t earn it, don’t cash it,” said Dedrick Anderson.

The Andersons turned the checks over to police investigators and haven’t heard from the scammers again.