Possible Tech Support Job Scam - MyPCWash

This is the Ad I responded to on oDesk, Oct 24, 2012:

Hello oDeskers! We are a company that is somewhat "New" to oDesk. We have hired for a few small jobs in the past, but now we are hiring for our biggest job yet!

We have grown tremendously over the past few months and we are currently looking to hire 200+ Customer Service and Support Reps.

Please be aware that we only operate in the following Countries, and will only consider applicants in these Countries:

UNITED STATES
CANADA
UNITED KINGDOM
IRELAND
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND

Applicants in other Countries will be denied.

Ideal candidates will have the following:
Great Computer Skills
Great Customer Service Skills
Ability to pay attention to detail
Must be comfortable using downloadable software programs (virus free)

Starting pay is $20 per hour, plus bonuses on software sales and other product and service sales.

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Response by "Danielle Nicole Bumpass"

Thank you for your interest in our Customer Service & Support Position. Due to the high number of Applicants to our multiple positions on oDesk, we are asking that all applicants complete the following Pre-Employment Screening:

https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=SgEgAhCjmi5K6-p2JQ0xsw

=============================================================================

The link above will direct you to a form wich will then ask for CC info:


"...We require all applicants to complete the following step before training begins: 1. Download MyPCWash. MyPCWash is a program that we use to debug, clean, and increase the speed and disk space of our computers. Because we process so many files each day, it is essential that we use a service such as MyPCWash so that we are able to keep track of files, avoid error because of slow loading times and keep our computers at the right amount of disk space needed to run our system. After submitting this form, you will be redirected to the MyPCWash download page. Complete the sign up process for the 3 day trial. You will be asked to submit a credit/debit card for a one-time charge of $0.86. This amount will be refunded to you by us via oDesk. Since this program is only needed to run for the first 2 days of training, you can delete it after this portion of training is complete. After you have completed this process, we ask that you send us a message via oDesk stating: "I have completed the Pre-Employment Screening & Downloaded MyPCWash." Training schedules will be sent within 48 hours of receipt of the above message via oDesk. If you have any conflicts within the training schedule please let us know as soon as possible. "

I already submitted a similar inquiry with oDesk but what do you guys think?

Scam.

Whether it's an affiliate scam or coming directly from the "company", you will be subjected to a "free trial" that turns into recurring charges on your credit card that are almost impossible to get off. And that's before you consider what nasties the software itself could be carrying.

The scammer has no job to offer; the entire purpose of this scam is to get you to sign up for the free trial from Hell.

No legitimate employer is gonig to force you to give your credit card number to buy some random software that is not recognized by ANY reputable technical journal or reviewer.

That's what I thought, so far no response from oDesk, I just hope it hasn't signed up anyone yet

Just got word from oDesk that the posting is spurious and has been taken down, I hope not to late though

I have responded to their ad as well on odesk and this is what it said and i got a response back for $20 an hour as a Faxing Assistant.

We are looking to hire a Faxing Assistant to send and receive faxes via email. Applicants must be able to handle sending and receiving large amounts of files (100+) per day.

Requirements:
Must live in the United States (Applicants that do not live in the US will be denied)
Must have good computer skills
Must be comfortable using our online faxing service, not your own fax machine

Compensation: $20 per hour for the first month. A higher rate will be discussed and negotiated after 30 days from the start date.

And then i got an email saying this:

Thank you for your interest in our Faxing Assistant Position. Due to the high number of Applicants to our multiple positions on oDesk, we are asking that all applicants complete the following Pre-Employment Screening: with a link they provided. But they do have a positive feedback on odesk.

It's very common for scammers to set up accounts to create bogus positive feedback.

Just to make it very clear: It is a scam, no question about it.