Authorities warn job-seekers of 'ABS Solutions' advertising on Craigslist

Local law enforcement agencies are sending out a warning to people looking for work, not to fall for the "work-at-home" scam on craigslist that goes by the name 'ABS Consulting.'

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns that this scam is the latest variation on the ‘Nigerian scam’ asking for people to send money to unknown parties in order to make money,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said. “If you do this, you are putting access to your bank account into the hands of criminals.”

Here’s how the scam works:

1. An unsuspecting victim answers the craigslist listing for work-at-home for ABS Solutions as a “mail assistant.” The fake business tells the prospective victim that he or she will receive mail at home and must scan the front of each envelope received and e-mail the scanned images to the “company,” then ship the mail biweekly using prepaid labels provided by e-mail.

2. After a couple of weeks, an “assistant” gets an e-mail promising an $800 paycheck, plus an extra $200 bonus. But to test the victim’s “integrity,” the victim is told he or she will get a check for $2,800 and must mail a check back to the bogus company to return the extra money.

3. This $2,800 check is phony, even though it looks authentic. Instead of getting paid, the victim must pay the bank back that full amount.

4. Even worse, the scammer now has access to the victim’s checking account and can wipe it dry.

Anyone who can help the U.S. Postal Inspection Service fight this scam is asked to call 1-877-876-2455 and select option 3.

People can learn more about mail and Internet-based scams by clicking here