Is this mail a scam?

I just received this and did a search but nothing comes up as a scam so before I get into it please look it over headers and all.
Thanks

Tax Preparer - Start Immediately - $24.98 per return plus $25 bonus!
Friday, December 19, 2008 11:31 AM
From Charles Stallings Fri Dec 19 08:31:35 2008
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Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:31:35 -0500 (EST)
From:
Charles Stallings <[email protected]>
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Subject: Tax Preparer - Start Immediately - $24.98 per return plus $25 bonus!
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My name is Charles Stallings with Tax Preparer LLC which is a nationwide tax preparation company with tax preparers located throughout the United States. We located your resume on Monster.com and were very impressed. We would like to speak with you about a job offer.

· No cost to you ever

· Start immediately

· 24X7 access to online tax software

· Get paid $24.98 per return (no minimum number of returns to get paid)

· Plus a $25.00 bonus per return

· Get paid for refering tax preparers to us ($25 for every return they prepare)

· We do not deduct your pay from your bonus

· Access to marketing material, business cards, flyers, and more.

· No upfront costs to customers

· Customer refund options (ERC, Direct Deposit, Cashier's Check)

· No Non-compete (we do not restrict you from working other tax firms while working with us)

· Training - you're assigned a personal trainer and provided access to online training.

· Support - phone, live chat, email, personal trainer

Please submit your application usning the link below; once you hit the submit button, you will get immediate access to online training, business cards, marketing material and more. In addition, you will receive a "Welcome Aboard" email within 10 minutes.

Please submit your application today using this link https://www.taxpreparerllc.com/application.asp

Sincerely,
Charles Stallings - Trainer
917-645-8404
http://www.taxpreparerllc.com
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Email Marketing by
Tax Preparer | 545 8th Avenue | ste 401 | New York | NY | 10018

From the header posted it appears the email came from the US 63.251.135.75 United States (Waltham)*

I can see no evidence of a scam in there, but I dont know enough to say with any certainty.

You dont necessarily have to answer these to us but, they may help you to decide.

Do you have an add on Monster.com
Does your resume indicate you are able to prepare taxation documents
Can you speak to somebody on the phone and if so does it sound like somebody from the US talking to you and do they have local knowledge.

It does look a little fishy to me, not necessarily advanced fee fraud but perhaps some other scheme, I was uncomfortable with a few things.

The yahoo email address
The "refer another prepare and get $25 for each return they prepare
The random nature of the email, it wasn't attentioned to you at all, I dont know what is on the monster.com site if you do have an add but it just doesn't seem right to me
Your employment field doesn't appear to be one that would prepare taxation documents

I recall some time ago we had a similiar situation with a training company who operated in a similiar fashion, the outcome in that case is that it was not a scam but it was not an ethical company either.

I dont think I would be trusting this one too much but I think it is safe to get a little more information if you are curious by giving them a call.

Hi and thanks for responding. I was uncomfortable myself. I can answer your questions.
Do you have an add on Monster.com...Yes I do
Does your resume indicate you are able to prepare taxation documents...Yes it does
Can you speak to somebody on the phone and if so does it sound like somebody from the US talking to you and do they have local knowledge....Yes I can and they even sent me another email telling me that one of their people will be calling me next week. I filled out their start page. I only was asked normal questions such as phone and address no bank or credit cards or anything else. When I was done this is the mail they sent me:

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Welcome Aboard - Online Tax Software Instructions Included
Friday, December 19, 2008 2:52 PM
From [email protected] Fri Dec 19 11:52:31 2008
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Thread-Topic: Welcome Aboard - Online Tax Software Instructions Included
From:
<[email protected]>
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Subject: Welcome Aboard - Online Tax Software Instructions Included
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:52:31 -0500
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Hello Debra,

My name is Charles Stallings and I will be your personal trainer who is responsible for your success here at the organization, providing training and addressing you questions. To get you up to speed quickly, we've created a "Getting Started" page. Please select the below link to get started.

http://www.taxpreparerllc.com/GettingStarted.asp

I will call you next week to see how I can help you achieve your 2009 pay goal.

I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,
Charles Stallings - Trainer
917-645-8404
www.taxpreparerllc.com
*************************************************************************************************************************
Now they sent me a link to fax them a filed out W-2 and I-9 and I am supposed to include my drivers license and Social Security Card but I am holding off on that part. I will wait for his call and then when I find out what State they are in I will call the State to see if they are licensed to do business as a Tax Service.

As Ralph said, why should a genuine business use a free Yahoo email address? Also the website was set up in May 2008 and only for a year. Usually a good indication of a scam.
Is a fixed fee usual for completing a tax return in the US? UK accountants charge by the hour. Peoples' tax affairs differ in complexity, And it makes a difference if the accountant is given a neatly prepared set of accounts, etc, or a box full of unsorted receipts, invoices, etc.
I can't see any scam though, unless there there are hidden costs such as payment for training, business cards, etc. At best, I can't see you getting much income from it.

· Get paid $24.98 per return (no minimum number of returns to get paid)

· Plus a $25.00 bonus per return [not a bonus as I understand the word. Why not just $49.98 a return?]

· We do not deduct your pay from your bonus [I would hope not! That would give you 2 cents a return!

There are web sites that offer taxes getting done for a fixed amount but I usually charge by the job. Lets say its a simple 1040ez with no retirement and stocks and other forms with it then I am less then 29.99. Point is most jobs are priced by the amount of work and time and forms used for a return.
So in short until I hear from them and get the OK from the BBB or other agencies I will not be turning over my information.
Scammers have come a long way from the old "I send you $50,0000 and you keep 25% LOL!

Sounds fishy to me. He uses a free email account and the introductory email did not state your name. If he saw your profile on Monster.com - he would start the email with "Dear Mr. Smith" (Or whatever your name is.)
Thumbs down.

My $0.02
from the link http://www.taxpreparerllc.com/GettingStarted.asp

STEP 1 - SENDING US YOUR PHOTO ID & W-9 (W-9 is so that we can send you a 1099 at the end of tax year)
PHOTO ID & W-9 FAXING INSTRUCTIONS
PHOTO ID & W-9 MAILING INSTRUCTIONS

is nonsense I never had to do that with my tax forms, it's a phishing site and they might clean out your bank account for you.
from their contact page:

TAX PREPARER LLC
545 8th Avenue, Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-502-3702
Fax: 646-478-9653
Email: [email protected]

Their phone
Information on phone number range +1 212502XXXX
Number billable as geographic number
Country or destination United States
City or exchange location New York City, NY
Original network provider* Verizon New York, Inc.
Their fax
Information on phone number range +1 646478XXXX
Number billable as mobile number
Country or destination United States
City or exchange location New York City, NY
Original network provider* New Cingular Wireless Pcs, Llc - Dc

Their website is a few years old
Updated Date: 02-dec-2008
Creation Date: 14-dec-2006
Expiration Date: 14-dec-2009
but the Registrant:
Tax Preparer LLC.
ATTN: TAXPREPARERSERVICE.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA. 20172-0447

But then Googling that addres I hit;
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-8661.html which is a fraud watch site
and then more, I didn't even read one is enough to make me look for another bureau that might get the job.
http://www.phishbucket.org/main/content/view/3826/
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/138/RipOff0138833.htm
http://www.complaints.com/complaintofthedayjanuary182001.6.htm
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showpost.php?p=39032&postcount=3
Okay he might have the bad luck of getting the postbox from a bad guy, but I take no risk with my personal info.
when it looks like... and it smells like a... then it is likely a.....