Think I Might Have Been a Victim of a Employment Scam

[D-town]

My question involves business law in the state of: tx,

I can provide the email for the job. They asked for a w9,i9 and direct deposit form. To my knowledge the w9 is for contractors correct?

[llworking]

My question involves business law in the state of: tx,

I can provide the email for the job. They asked for a w9,i9 and direct deposit form. To my knowledge the w9 is for contractors correct?

Yes, a W-9 is for contractors. However an I-9 is for employees. I hope you haven't filled out either one of them yet, because you might be being scammed to steal your identity if the only contact you have had with them is via email.

[D-town]

I met one of them in person at a coffee shop though. Doing a online research of the company yielded that the company exist. One of them that I’ve been in contact with actually shows up on their companies website.

[PayrolGuy]

Creating a "company" is very easy I could have it done before lunch.

Other than the W9 what makes you think there is a chance it is not legit?

[llworking]

I met one of them in person at a coffee shop though. Doing a online research of the company yielded that they exist.

Get their phone number from the internet. Call and ask for the person you interviewed with to see if he/she really works for them. With the information on the W9 and the I9, plus your banking details someone could do a real number on you. If you decide to move forward you might want to open a second bank account to give them, rather than your primary account.

[flyingron]

A "W-9" is more than "just for contractors." It's merely a request for a SSN and a certain declaration. It's sort of redundant with I-9 for employees, but there may be some payments (such as reimbursement for interview expenses) that may not come under an employee situation. Nothing precludes them from asking for it even if they don't really need it.

The key is what happens when you actually get paid.

[cbg]

Let's not overlook the implications inherent in the post hx

[hr for me]

W-9s can also be requested from an employee if they are getting paid reimbursements on 1099s.....

[llworking]

Creating a "company" is very easy I could have it done before lunch.

Other than the W9 what makes you think there is a chance it is not legit?

Its the combination of documents (W-P, I-9 and bank information) that makes me think that there is a chance that its not legit. You meeting one of them in a coffee shop also makes me a bit suspicious. Just find a phone number for them independently, call the number to see if it sounds like a real business and if the person you met works there. You might also get an address for them and drive by that address.

[flyingron]

Was there also a W4?