info about scam verblio job postings
If you’re not applying for one of the open positions on this page, it’s a scam.
Red flags
Don't become a victim. We're aware that the scammers are doing the following:
Scheduling interviews over third party apps
Conducting chat-based interviews
Asking for payment via ApplePay
Using the scam domain name verbllo.com
What we do and don’t do during the hiring process
In an effort to protect candidates from applying to any scam Verblio job postings, here are the things we do and don’t do in the hiring process for both full-time salaried positions and for freelance writer positions.
| Multiple in-person and/or video interviews | Always – you will usually speak to our head of HR, hiring manager, and several others | Never – we do not interview prospective writers |
| Ask for a W9 or W4 |
W4 Always, but through company’s payroll provider |
W9 Always, but through a form on app.verblio.com. We never ask for a W9 via email. |
|
Ask for any type of payment |
Never | Never |
|
Conduct chat-based interviews |
Never – our interviews are through Zoom or Hangouts |
Never – we do not interview prospective writers |
| Advertise position |
Always – open positions will always appear on our Careers page and may be posted on other sites |
Sometimes – we don’t advertise for writers hardly ever & when we do, it’s for a small, target audience like a law school |
If you think you may have been involved in a Verblio scam posting or interview process, please reach out to support@verblio.com to verify that the role is real and accurate.
About the scam
We were recently contacted by individuals not affiliated with Verblio who fell victim to scam job postings on various hiring platforms, including Indeed.com and LinkedIn. The scam involved the following steps:
- One or more job listings were posted for 'verblio proofreader’ and ‘verblio editor’.
- After applying to the job, the applicant was sent a text message asking if they are still interested, and if so, with a prompt to setup an interview over Skype using the skype ID verblio@outlook.com.
- The victim then met with the scammer by Skype (we have requested additional information on any identifying information about the scammer from the Skype session).
- In a follow-up to the interview, the scammer emailed the applicant using a domain name very similar to ours, but subtly different: “verbllo.com” (the “i” being replaced with an “l”, which at first glance appears identical). This email contained:
- A PDF offer letter on fabricated Verblio letterhead
- A blank IRS form W4
- A request to provide in response:
- Signed copy of the offer letter
- Completed W4 with social security number
- Copy of driver's license or other form of identification
- After receiving the requested information, the scammer instructs the applicant to send payment to somebody named “Denise Pass” via ApplePay to cover the cost of equipment and/or services. They state that this will be reimbursed subsequently.
- The scammer then emails the applicant a fabricated check as a form of reimbursement, with instructions to print it out, sign it, and deposit it using their bank’s mobile deposit app. The check, being invalid, is subsequently rejected by the bank. The victim is now out the money they paid via ApplePay.
Additional Information
- Names of real Verblio employees that have appeared in the offer letter include Maddie Basch, Zoe Treeson, Steve Pockross, and Alexa Baray. Additionally, at least one victim reports the scammer using the name Max Harris, who is a real person who used to be an employee at Verblio.
- Victims report also interacting with the following supposed people, who are not real Verblio employees:
- Albert Edward
- Denise Pass
- The scammers claim Verblio is a subsidiary of “Dover,” which is not accurate nor a company we are familiar with.
- Some correspondence between scammers and victims was conducted via an email service called “Telegram.” We have never utilized Telegram.
