Mikencomputers Work at home SCAM! DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY!!! St. Louis Missouri

I was contacted last week by a company to start working from home making $23/hr doing bookkeeping for them. Well I did my interview online with them through Yahoo IM, and Mr. Collins Jones (Yes thats what his name appears to be) told me I was hired and could start on Monday, today. Well He wanted me to set up a Wells Fargo bank account that was checking & savings which of course threw up red flags for me.

I explained to him that I am unable to open a bank account for the direct deposit. After which he notified me that I would need to send money to a "shipper" in order to receive my softwares; supposedly the company would reimburse me for the expenses here.

I explained to him that in order for me to wire them any money I would need an official employment contract on company letterhead. The following is a copy of that email:

Mikencomputers
This is to confirm that Maggi Madison has been approved to be a staff of mikencomputers. having reached the requirements, passed the interview and recommended for the Job by the Board of Director on employment. You would be given further details by the personnel manager as regards your follow up and requirements to start up. You resume work fully AS SOON AS YOU get your working softwares..

As soon as you get the funds sent to teh shipper she will ship your softwares to so you can start work Asap. You would be contacted online and also via phone from time to time to get updates on tasks and assignments given to you promptly. If you have any further questions please get in touch with the personnel manager online.
Kind Regards,

NAME;Collins Jones
Personnel And Resource Management
COMPANY;Mikencomputers
ADDRESS; St Louis Mo
Email:mikencomputer

We are upgrading our web site due to the rate of scam we received from our clients and customers that do make payments to us online via credit cards,so its still under constructions..www.mikencomputer.com.

If that isn't outrageous enough here is a copy of our IM sessions from YIM:

Chat from 10/31/2008:
Me: Good morning. I am joining the IM for the interview briefing as requested via email.

BUZZ!!!

Collins Jones: Hello
Me: Hello, how are you this morning?

Collins Jones: am good and you ?
Me: Great thanks for asking.

Collins Jones: I am Mr Collins Jones the personel manager of Mikencomputer, Inc. and i am here to brief you more about this job.

Collins Jones: this is an online work from home.

Collins Jones: Before i start i hope you understand that your essential job duty will be keeping records of payments and you will be recording it into data.. You will recieve your duties every day via email and i will always be online to assist you with any difficulties.. (we are not interested in babysitting!) ok ?

Me: Sounds great to me. I will ask if I have any questions as I get my assignments.

Collins Jones: Tell me about yourself ?
Collins Jones: ?

Me: Well I am 31 and am currently a student at American Intercontinental University online, so an online position will give me the flexability to do both work and school. I am a mother of 6, none of which currently live with me. I will be continuing my education following my graduation from AIU Online locally in Portland to get my BA in Games and graphic design starting March 2009, so will have a different school schedule than I currently have at that point.

Me: I am a hard worker and learn the ropes quickly. I am a self-starter and take enormous pride in my work.
Collins Jones: have you ever worked from home before?

Me: Yes I worked with a brokerage company making calls from home to Colorado to help them expand their company database information and obtain new clients for their real estate firm.
Collins Jones: have you ever worked from home before?
Collins Jones: Are you currently employed?

Me: No I am currently unemployed.
Collins Jones: Will you be able to devote 6 hours of your time to Mikencomputers daily ?
Me: Yes. More if needed.
Collins Jones: Have you worked as an Accounting Clerk / Bookkeeper /data entry ?

Me: Not as an accounting clerk or bookkeeper but I did do data entry.
Collins Jones: Do you have a Printer, Fax Machine,Scanner and a Photocopier?
Me: Everything but the fax machine, but I have those capabilities on my computer with my scanner
Collins Jones: What do you understand by privacy and code of conduct?

Me: Any and all personal information is private unless explicitly implied under the terms and service contract with your company. Non-disclosure of personal information to unauthorized personell is forbidden and the code of conduct follows all outlined policies and procedures for each individual company you work for.
Collins Jones: what do you understand by petty cash ?

Me: Cash used to maintain office funds for things such as bonuses or incentives for current employees. That is what it is mainly used for. It's not your own personal bank.
Collins Jones: In your current or last position, what were your most significant accomplishments? In your career so far?

Me: My high level of productivity and dedication to ensuring that both the company and clients are satisfied with not only my work, but all the work that is produced by the firm I am with at the time.
Collins Jones: Do you know your clerical speed?
Me: Its between 38-45 wpm
Collins Jones: Do you have an idea of how to use ms excel?
Me: Yes.

Collins Jones: what would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Me: My greatest strengths are my dependability, work ethic and interpersonal skills. My weaknesses are my medical problems which in the past caused attendance issues. I currently have those medical problems fully under control.

Collins Jones: How would you like to be Paid ? Weekly Or Bi-Weekly ?
Me: Weekly if at all possible, which would allow me to pay on a weekly basis my rent.
Collins Jones: good
Collins Jones: where are you located ?

Me: Woodland, Washington. Do you need the full address?
Collins Jones: not yet
Me: ok
Collins Jones: What means of Payment do you prefer ? Wire transfer OR Direct Deposit ?
Me: Wire transfer, I do not currently have a bank account.

Collins Jones: can you set up one ?
Me: Yes I can but I have to wait for my dad to send me money this weekend before I am able to set one up.
Collins Jones: ok
Collins Jones: you are to det up a checking and savings account with wellsfargo bank ok
Collins Jones: do you have a wellsfargo bank located near you ?
Collins Jones: You will receive your duties everyday via email and i will be online to assist you with any difficulties

Me: We don't have a Wells Fargo here, and I can't open an account with them unless they have the second chance bank account option available.
Collins Jones: you can check online you should have a wellsfargo bank over there

Me: Ok if not here there will probably be one in Portland that I can go to.
Collins Jones: As for your duties, they will be as follows: Your Primary duties include: Preparation of Balance sheets (Mini), account balancing, invoicing recording, proper data analysis of sales records and recording pay slips into accounting database all these will be done through the use of the Accounting Software. Secondary duties: Now, your secondary daily duties would be to report to your Supervisor, who would be attached to you online, He/She would assign logs of duty daily and you would be required to work according to instructions, using the Microsoft Office tools and the Accounting software. Now the function of the Accounting software is to arrange, formalize and manage the data you have processed, sent to your supervisor via E-mail.

Me: Ok.
Collins Jones: You will Earn $23 per hour,You will receive your pay via Direct deposit or bank transfer every friday of the week.
Collins Jones: Congratulations..you are now a Staff of MIKENCOMPUTER
Me: Ok so for this week would it be attached to next weeks pay?
Me: Thank you very much.

Collins Jones: BEFORE YOU START WORK YOU WILL RECIEVE A PAYMENT ,YOU WILL BE USING THIS PAYMENT TO SET UP YOUR MINI OFFICE BY PURCHASING SOME OFFICE EQUIPMENTS AND ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE PLUS THE SHIPPING LOGISTICS,COS WE WILL BE SENDING YOU SOME EQUIPMENT YOU WILL BE NEEDING TO START WORK WITH,IMMEDIATELY YOU GET THIS PAYMENT YOU START WORK

Collins Jones: Here are the name's and amount for the softwares you will be purchasing once you receive the funds,*** For BS 1 Accounting software amount $155,myob bussiness essentials software 2008 amount 278$,For Peach Tree Software amount $250( US Patent Single Users Pack ),simply accounting 2008 amount $259.which is to be purchased Next week.
Collins Jones: Telegram the rest to the Shipping agent to effect Shipping Logistics for your Equipments cos we will be sending you some equipments that you will need to start work with....( this is to be done via Western Union or money gram Ok)

Me: Ok can I get the software from Office Depot?
Collins Jones: I need you to email me with the folowins infos to enable my secretary put you to register,Your full name,home address,Phone number send all that to me via E-mail..ok

Me: Ok I will send that now
Collins Jones: good
Collins Jones: waiting
Me: ok just sent it.
Collins Jones: ok

Collins Jones: hold on
Collins Jones: havent gothing it
Me: Ok.
Me: Will I need to buy a fax right away or can that wait a week or so?
Collins Jones: yes

Me: Ok I will try to find out how my all in one can do that or how much one is here and pick it up ASAP.
Collins Jones: i will let you know as soon as you need it ok
Collins Jones: you can still wait for now

Me: ok sounds good thank you/
Collins Jones: let me have your address and here on chat
Collins Jones: now ok

Me: ****Personal information deleted******
Me: *****personal information deleted*****
Collins Jones: ok

Me: Can I purchase the software at Office Depot or is it available online?
Collins Jones: the company's shipping agent will help you get that
Collins Jones: Regarding the funds for the shipping logistics and you signing bonus plus funds for the softwares you will be purchasing,
Me: Ok no problem

Collins Jones: You will be needing to set up a checking and savings account with wellsfargo bank ,To enable the company accountant make the funds avialable in it...

Collins Jones: Make sure You activate the both account(checking and savings)for online Banking
Me: Ok as soon as I get the money from my dad later tonight I will go and open an account with them and I will make sure to have the checking and savings available for online banking

Me: I will send you the routing and transfer numbers as soon as I have them.
Collins Jones: this job offer is work from home,you can aswel work from any where of your choice
We are into Computer Peripherals Supplies. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of independent dialysis providers around the world by leveraging today's most innovative technologies to deliver a full spectrum of high-quality services to the business community.

Me: Ok.
Me: For the bank account, will I need the Wells Fargo Business Online Banking option, or just a personal account?
Collins Jones: just a personal account

Collins Jones: that will be your means of payment also
Collins Jones: 541 274-0954

Me: Ok.
Collins Jones: sorry for that
Me: no problem
Me: What is the work number to list for you on my banking application

Collins Jones: you dont need that to set up a personal account ok
Me: Its asking me to enter employer information and requires a phone number for the personal account
Me: This is for the combined checking & savings account called the "Custom Management (R) Package"

Collins Jones: you dont have to set it up online
Collins Jones: just go to any of there branch and require to set up an accout with them
Me: Ok sounds good
Collins Jones: thats all for now

Collins Jones: you are report online by 8am your time daily
Collins Jones: for your job updates ok ?
Collins Jones: whats your full name ?

Me: Ok thank you for your time this morning and I will e-mail you later today to let you know I got the bank account set up. Is there anything else you will need from me this weekend?
Me: ******* personal info deleted*****
Collins Jones: no

Collins Jones: will call you if i need you
Collins Jones: is that your cell number ?
Me: Ok so I should report for work 8am Monday correct?
Me: the 360 is my home number. I do not currently have any time left on my cell phone

Collins Jones: ok
Collins Jones: as soon as you set up the account email me with the account infos
Collins Jones: all for now bye

Collins Jones: talk to you soon
Me: Ok no problem, and thanks again for your time


Today:
Me: Good Morning.
Collins Jones: How are you doing today ?
Me: Good and you?
Collins Jones: am fine
Collins Jones: where you able to set up the account with wellsfargo bank ?

Me: No I am unable to set up any bank account. I sent off an e-mail to you on I believe it was friday evening. I was a victim of identity theft and just found out about it. I am still trying to get things resolved so check systems will remove the erroneous files under my name. At this time I can't open an account until I get that resolved.

Me: At this point the only thing I can do is have money taken to MoneyTree to be added to my prepaid debit card, but that has to be done in person at a store. That is the only way other than a wire transfer or check to get money to me.
Collins Jones: oo ok

Collins Jones: i got the mail
Collins Jones: ok then
Me: Ok
Collins Jones: you are to buy this softwares

Me: I don't have any money to buy any software right now. I literally only have $150 to my name. Are you able to send the money for me to make the purchases?

Collins Jones: you can get the $150 sent to the shipper so she can over to you with the softwares ok
Collins Jones: you will be reimburesd
Collins Jones: ok ?

Collins Jones: this is just a text and trust from the company

Me: How long will it take to get the reimbursement? I have to pay part of my rent here or we're going to have to move by friday
Collins Jones: you will be reimburesd by wednesday

Me: Where do I send it to?
Collins Jones: you ar to get it sent to her via Money Gram

Collins Jones: do you have one near you ?
Me: Just a sec and I'll check
Collins Jones: k

Me: Okay yes I have one just down the road from me.
Collins Jones: ok good

Collins Jones: Patricia Ann Greer
Covington,
Ga. 30016

Collins Jones: thats the shipping agent information you will be sending the funds to
Collins Jones: this is to be done via Money Gram ok ?

Me: Ok and when she sends the software will she send the reimbursement as well?
Collins Jones: write it down and take it along with you to the Money Gram outlet ok?
Collins Jones: you will recieve the reimbursedment by wednesday

Me: No problem, they won't be open for another 2 1/2 hours but I will get it sent and IM you as soon as I have done that okay?
Collins Jones: when do they open daily ?

Me: 8am it's 6:34am My time right now
Me: I'm sorry I just looked at the website again they open at 10am
Me: Also is this tax deductable for purchasing this software? Are the fees as well?

Collins Jones: all that will be taking care of by the company
Collins Jones: check online and see if there is any other outlet close to you that opens by 8am ok ?
Me: That is the only one close to me, I searched by zip code and address and it is the only one listed

Collins Jones: ok
Me: Is that the full address for the receiver? I know with Western Union you need their street address and phone number as well.
Collins Jones: yes
Collins Jones: thats all
Collins Jones: but you will be charge a sending fee of about $8 for that
Collins Jones: ok ?

Me: Ok so I will be sending the $142 + $8 sending fee
Collins Jones: i really dont know how much they will cherge you but you will be told when you get there ok
Collins Jones: as soon as you get it sent E-mail me with the refrence number including the amount sent and senders info ok
Collins Jones: so i can provide that to the shipper that will ship your softwares to you ok

Me: ok. Sorry I'm just a little leary sending money to start a job. I understand that I need to get this software to work, but my husband is saying not to wire money "Because we're taking his word and we've been taken advantage of before. No offense to him."

Collins Jones: yes i understand that..but as you know this is an online work from we have tryed helping so many people by sending them all necesary material for free but thay take advantage of it and go away with the company's material

Me: Is it possible for her to send the software first and then I can show my husband that it is legitimate work and can send the money that day? I understand your point as well, but my husband is pretty firm about this right now.
Collins Jones: sorry no.thats what we do before,but we have had so many situation where by we send you softwares and go away with it

Collins Jones: that why you are ask to get the funds sent to the shipping agent that.that is just to show how devoted you are
Collins Jones: that is a text of trust we carry out to our new workers

Me: Then I'm sorry but I can't work for you guys. Why is it that you wouldn't provide the company phone number for me the other day or the corporate address for the company. These things make people not trust especially when it is a work from home job.

Me: I understand you are trying to determine if I am sincere in wanting to work for you from home, but trust has to be earned both ways.

Me: There are just to many scams for work at home positions where they promise you something, such as pay or work, and you are required to send off money in advance that turn out to be people just trying to take your money. Please understand this is not personal against the company, but I need something in writing from your company stating that I will be reimbursed, the terms of my contract, and company contact information before I can and will send money.

Me: This should also be on company letterhead. After that point I will proceed.
Collins Jones: ok
Collins Jones: you will receive that

Me: Ok no problem as soon as I get the contract and everything I will send the money off. That just shows me it is legitimate and my husband as well. Once I recieve that I will proceed with sending the money.
Maggi Madison: My husband says Thank you for understanding we've just scammed to many times.

Me: *been
Me: Is there a company website as well, my husband would like to see what products and services you offer.
Collins Jones: currently underreconstruction
Collins Jones: www.mikencomputer.com

Me: Ok thanks
Me: About how long do you think it will take to get the contract and other information to me?
Collins Jones: an hours time
Collins Jones: that would be coming from the Head of employee

Me: Ok no problem. I will get everything set up on my end so I am ready when it comes in.
Me How soon will I be able to get started once I receive the softwares so I can start getting paid?

Collins Jones: if she recieves the funds today your softwares will be deliverd to you tomorrow morning.you start working immidiately
Collins Jones: and you will recieve you first pay by friday

Me: Ok your read my mind/ I was wondering if it would be the following friday or this friday. Thank you so much for understanding with the contract and such. I do appreciate it and hope it's not to much trouble for you to go through. My husband just really wants verification that this is a solid company and not a fly by night company.

Me: Will the software come by UPS or FedEx?
Collins Jones: Fedex

Me: Ok and it is Vista compatable correct?
Collins Jones: yes
Me: Ok just wanted to be sure Thank you.

Me: Hello again. I just wanted to let you know I still haven't gotten an email yet with the contract information.

Collins Jones: you will get that in 10 minutes
Collins Jones: ok

Me: Ok thanks
Collins Jones has signed back in. (11/3/2008 10:26 AM)

Me: Hello. I still haven't gotten anything in my email yet.

Collins Jones: whats your E-mail address ?
BUZZ!!!
Me: ****Personal information deleted*****

Me: What is the full company address in St. Louis, Mo? and a contact phone number?

Collins Jones: have you gothing the mail ?

Me: I got the email but that isn't an employment contract. That just states that I was hired to work for you, doesn't include hourly pay or company details other than that you are based in St. Louis.

Collins Jones: i told you all that

Collins Jones: you where ask to contact the personel manager online for more details right ?

Me: Yes, but you never gave me the phone number for the company and I asked for an employment contract. One that was on company letterhead and includes the full contact information for the company. Also there is not a valid email address attached in the email. I just can't justify sending the last of my money if I can't get a legal employment contract stating my hourly wages, hours to be worked and full contact information on company letterhead.

Collins Jones: you will get that as soon as you are a qualified worker of Mikenco mputer

Collins Jones: as soon as you get your softwares you are then qualified and will be giving all necesary information ok

Me: Well sorry but Im not sending money until I get that.

Collins Jones: ok then by

Collins Jones: bye

Collins Jones: will get some one ready to work bye

Me: This is a scam and Im going to report it to the authorities.

Collins Jones: go ahead

Me: Have a nice day.

Collins Jones: i just came here to play with us right

Collins Jones: please dont ever contact me

Collins Jones: bye

Maggi
Woodland, Washington
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Work at Home Scams

click here to read other Rip-off Reports on Home Based Businesses