Everyone please note that a job offer for proofreading/editing materials for a company called **Edited for Community Guidelines** is a complete scam. I contacted this company directly and they confirmed this scam has been going on awhile and they have tried really hard to stop it but have been unsuccesful. This is one where they send you a check to cover the cost of purchasing computer equipment, so you are supposed to cash the check and then pay some vendor. Of course, the check will initially clear and be available to use. But then the bank will later on discover it is a fake check and withdrawal back the amount that was cleared to you. This is a very typical freelancer job scam. Don't take money or checks from anyone at the outset of employment. I have had freelance jobs where the employer wanted me to use computer equipment they provided, for security purposes and so they could install special software on it for you. If the job is real. the employer will pay for and arrange themselves for the equipment to be purchased and sent to you. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A REAL EMPLOYER CAN'T BUY THE EQUIPMENT THEMSELVES, DIRECTLY. Any employer that really doesn't want you to use your own computer will simply have a computer shipped to you. There is no reason that you need to do this end around payment style. Sometimes the scammer says they are doing it that way because they want to evaluate how you handle money. Remote freelancer jobs never involve handling of money. So why would they be evaluating you for that? And how does simp[ly purchasing computer equipment show them anything about how you manage money? It does not. Never use a check that was emailed to you and then they ask you to deposit it immediately using Zelle or something like it and them IMMEDIATELY turn around and pay the computer vendor. You will notice how they try to rush rush rush you. That is all typical to this scam. I have seen it so many times. For me, I find it amusing to waste their time for a couple of days, acting like I'm doing everything they ask, being snarky, and then trying to decide in the end whether I'm going to tell them that I've decided to steal their money or to call them out on the scam. Anyways, don't accept a check and cash it in and then spend it. Because the bank is going to call back the money and you will be out of pocket and loset anything you paid out. And the vendor is part of the scam because they receive real money from you.
