Beware ISTS/Parcerly.com Package Job Scam in Murrieta, California

reveurgam (60)in #review • 5 years ago (edited)

Updated 3/24/19.

I got a job offer to handle packages. Woohoo! They wanted to hire me! I was initially excited, but then...28 🚩 later....

I received the following email from ISTS/Parcerly.com:

Here's the text version:

Dear Glenn,
 
We are reaching out to you as our employee screening tool has identified you as a potential candidate for one of our available job openings. We are ISTS – registered owner of Parcerly on-line platform. Our primary business offers third party shipping services to clients all across the globe. We also offer comprehensive logistics solution and order fulfillment services to businesses and retailers. As a pioneer in the field, ISTS is regarded as one of the industry leaders in logistics and third party shipping solutions industry. We have a huge network of carriers around the world and we serve clients from over eighty countries. We are a trend setter in our industry.

We are growing at an incredible pace and to keep up with our growing clientele, we are adding more team members across multiple departments. We are looking for an individual who’s task oriented and self-motivated. We are seeking for team members who can work with minimal supervision and feel empowered to make mission critical decision based on established protocols.

You will receive paid, on-the-job training along with all the tools and technology you will need to succeed in your position. We entrust our team members with patented technology along with confidential client information. Therefore, the ability to be discreet and trustworthy is non-negotiable. Certain assignments throughout the tenure of your employment will be time-sensitive and it’s imperative that you meet reasonable deadline and other service level goals. Our team members are expected to use good judgment and make crucial decisions on the spot – some of these are common sense decision and some are guided through our established protocols. We entrust our employees to make these decisions in the best interest of both our clients and our business.  

Few members from our hiring team has reviewed your profile and work experience. Based on their feedback, we think you’d make a great fit for the open position of Merchandise Hub Operator. ISTS is located in Murrieta, CA, however, most of our Merchandise Hub Operators work remotely from their home without the need for relocating. Team members have some flexibility in setting their work hours, however, the general expectation is: a team member must be available during regular business hours in their own time zone.

Our full-time, permanent team members enjoy a generous base salary, coupled with a comprehensive benefits package. ISTS offers medical, dental plan and a company-sponsored 401K plan. We are also proud to offer paid time off, employee discount, tuition reimbursement and more.

If you’re looking to join an incredible team with endless growth opportunity, consider applying for this position.

Please click this link to start the application process and find additional information about the position, there’s also a Frequently Asked Question section that answers most common questions. If you have additional question – please feel free to reach out to us and we’ll be more than happy to answer.

If this sounds like an opportunity you would be interested in – look no further. ISTS has an incredible team in place and we are looking for great individuals to join our team.
 
---
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Wilson

ISTS
HR Department
 
If you are not interested in this position or not looking for a career change at this point, please click  this link to be removed from our job opening mailing list.

Uh oh! Sleuth hat on! 🕵

The first thing that caught my eye was that this was an unsolicited contact. That's a red flag. 🚩
The second thing was that there were several grammatical errors. Word, Writer, Grammarly and other spelling/grammar checkers never catch all errors, either, and even make bad corrections. I didn't see any spelling errors, therefore this was probably auto-corrected, and the user is either not a native English user or just not that good at English; either way, it's a 🚩. This may seem petty to you but I've been identifying scams for decades and a lot of them originate outside the USA, ergo: bad English!
Then, I noticed that it involves at-home package handling and I am aware that there are a lot of parcel job scams going on. 🚩 My first scam warning was about another prevalent scam - fraudulent checks you cash and then resend, and my second was about a related scam: home product tester jobs.
They gave me a link to a website application form, which is pretty minimal although the website itself looked legitimate. https://parcerly.com looks pretty good but I noticed there were spelling errors on it (which wouldn't be caught by an IDE or other coding editor). But all this is circumstantial - web developers make mistakes, and so do the people who write copy for them. (At my last job, my boss made errors all the time in emails, text messages, proposals, board reports, info for the website and, gosh, everywhere! God forbid if someone else did, though!) 🚩
The job title is peculiar: Merchandise Hub Operator is something I've never heard of before, which makes me suspicious. Now, I know that a lot of companies are diverting from traditional company models, like Uber, Grubhub, Automattic, and more, but the M.O. (operating mode) of this job description is similar to the scam I reported on in Beware Check-Cashing Hiring Scams: receive a package, photograph it, report any damage, repackage it per specifications, ship it via the specified carrier. WHY? Why would anyone need to be an intermediary in this manner? It drips of unethical behavior and an attempt to "package launder" (like money laundering), or obfuscate the destination that the package went to. 🚩
The job description was not posted directly on the website - I had to download the PDF to view it. Why is this important? Because a job description that isn't directly available on the web can be set to not be discoverable by search engine web crawling programs that collect that sort of data - making it hard to research it! 🚩
The "generous" base salary works out to be about $14-15/hr, plus reimbursement for travel and related expenses, which are a flat rate despite the implication elsewhere that you'll be reimbursed for all your expenses.)
Their About page is markedly lacking in substance that legitimate businesses would post.🚩
Their Environmental Plan lacks real substance.🚩
There are other things that triggered suspicion but I have to admit that they did a pretty good job of preparing this site.
My next step was to look up ISTS and Parcerly reviews.
A search should reveal job info about the MERCHANDISE HUB OPERATOR position. There's nothing.🚩 The job title doesn't even exist! 🚩
That both businesses are located at the same address is slightly suspicious, but not inconceivable.
If this company is global, there should be tons of reviews. There appear to be none.🚩
I didn't feel good about this, so I went to Google Maps and dove to the street-level view. I could NOT find 26816 Hobie Circle, Ste. B, Muriette, CA. On one side is 26820, with no Parcerly or ISTS listed on the sign. This is where the building SHOULD be.

To the right is an empty lot.

To the left is 41330 (Foreman), which fronts the cross street.
🚩
And on the other side is:

26811, Hobie Circle Complex, and the sign doesn't list them there, either.

41400 (SA Recycling) is to the right of 26811. The number is different because it also fronts on the cross street, not Hobie Circle.

26871 Ste. A is to the left.
🚩
Since Sunrun Solar Panels has an office there, I decided to try and call to verify the presence of ISTS/Parcerly. Perhaps the building isn't visible from the street? Unfortunately, although I finally managed to get the number of the manager there, he didn't pick up.
But, hey, the images are old so maybe the building is new, right? So, I called Murrieta's City Hall ((951) 304-CITY(2489)) and was referred to the County Assessor's office (951-486-7000), where I spoke to a nice lady named Leticia. She patiently looked up the address - there is no Suite B, only Suite A, and the address doesn't exist.🚩 She also looked up both ISTS and Parcerly, and they aren't listed. 🚩🚩
This seems to fit the profile and although the website looks legit, cybercrime is a multi-billion dollar business, so making a realistic website is a drop in the bucket. Here's some info.
Read #10
Read #4
(I'm not promoting these sites, just using them to edify you.)
A search for "ISTS jobs careers" and "Parcerly jobs careers" should reveal lots of postings. They ONLY appear on Glassdoor and Indeed.🚩
I also followed the unsubscribe link in the email. I looked at the coding behind that form and, as far as I can tell, it does NOT appear to submit your email address to any database.🚩 I'm not an advanced web developer, though, so it may be that they used another language that doesn't show up in the inspect window to send the data to a server, like JavaScript or jQuery.
I know you're wondering why there are so many flags in the table. If this is a global company, there should be a LOT of reviews on at least Glassdoor and the BBB for both names, and BOTH companies should have their own websites. 9 reviews only is a bad sign!
An additional disturbing note is that I looked up the owners of this fraudulent site on ICANN: Parcerly is masking all their ownership and contact info.
Finding info on them isn't that easy.

Source	ISTS	Parcerly
Glassdoor	2.5 stars, 6 reviews🚩	no data🚩
Indeed	4.3 stars, 3 reviews🚩	no data🚩
Trustpilot	no data🚩	no data🚩
BBB	A (transparency issue🚩, no consumer data🚩)	no data🚩
Website search	none found🚩	Parcerly.com

There IS actually ISTS: International Scholarship & Tuition Services. Definitely not the same company, don't you think?

It IS possible that there is a company named ISTS that keeps a low profile and doesn't have a web presence but...I'm doubtful.

Should I call the cops? ;)

(street photos copyright Google)

So what might they be trying to do here?
One idea is that they're stealing identities. The application form requests a photo and your resume, as well as your name, address and phone number(s).
Another is that they are going to do what was mentioned in one of the articles - send you a paycheck for too much and, when you call them back, they'll ask you to return the difference. Either way, their check will bounce, leaving you the bank fine, and the money you spent on shipping, packaging, etc. If you return the difference, you'll also have enriched them through that money plus all the free parcel services/laundering you did for them. You could end up spending a lot of money.
Finally, if they send you any special software to use on your computer, it could be a trojan that will secretly infect it with malware of other types, including stealing your banking access and identity.

I hope that this article helps people understand how YOU can identify scams. I didn't have to do as much as I did for this (the address being fake was enough), but I wanted to give people lots of options for identifying a scam. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.

I filed an abuse report with [email protected] on 3/18 (a Pakistani company, so I won't call internationally to complain) but got no response, and both them and [email protected] (although they don't have a functioning contact form on their site and I'm not sure that's the correct address) on 3/22/19. On 3/24, I received the following emailed response from Paknic.com, in which they decline to take any action. As the next step, I have filed a complaint on the Internet Crime Complaint Center and will do so on the FTC's complaint site if necessary.

[3DB-2421C6AF-0215] Parcerly.com

Domain Abuse
5:18 PM CST

Hello,
 
In regards to your below complaint, we have completed our investigation and, unfortunately, we are unable to prove or dismiss that the domain name is indeed involved in any illegal activities and/or do not comply with Section 3.18 of the 2013 RAA.  Paknic is a Private Limited Company incorporated under section 32 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 of Government of Pakistan.  We understand that the content hosted on the website using these domain names might have been involved in activities which may violate your country laws which are beyond our jurisdiction and capability to make a decision whether this domain name is indeed involved in any criminal activities.  We also understand that these domain names might have been in violation of any copyright or trademark of yours and/or yours' clients which also we are not able to prove or dismiss.
 
These domain names are merely registered with the Registrar PAKNIC PRIVATE LIMITED and, as a Registrar, we have no control over such activity and/or content hosted else where and not on our servers.  There is a possibility that such an activity may stand as a breach of contract of the Accepted Usage Policy (AUP) of the Web Hosting Service Provider for the domain name(s) in question.  In that case, you need to get in touch with the Hosting Service Provider(s) directly to seek an immediate action on this issue where the actual content and website is hosted.  You may use any of the several web-based tools, to locate the E-Mail Address of the Abuse Desk of the Web Hosting Service Provider who are actually hosting the content on their servers.  One such tool is (http://whois.domaintools.com).
 
Regarding Trademark holding company actually gaining control of this domain name, it can only be done once you exercise your right of filing a Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) case with any of ICANN's UDRP Service Providers. The Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) has been adopted by ICANN-accredited Registrars in all gTLDs. Dispute proceedings arising from alleged abusive registrations of domain names (for example, cybersquatting) may be initiated by a holder of trademark rights. The UDRP is a policy between a Registrar and its customer (domain registrants) and is included in registration agreements for all ICANN-accredited registrars including ours and, hence, it would give us a legal grounds to transfer domain name to you or your client if the decision is made in your favor by the UDRP Service Provider.
 
References:
    Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy - (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/policy-2012-02-25-en)
    Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy - (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/udrp-rules-2015-03-11-en)
    List of Approved Dispute-Resolution Service Providers - (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/providers-6d-2012-02-25-en)
 
As a domain name Registrar, we would be in a position to assist you suspending or deleting these domain names ONLY if you can provide us a Temporary Restraining Order from any Court of Law or any Government Law Enforcement Agency.
 
Please feel free to update us in case of any further queries.
 
Regards,
Abuse Mitigation Team
Paknic Private Limited

This is the text of the job description so that people can search for it.

[email protected] 26816 Hobie Circle Ste. B Murrieta, CA 92562 
© 
PARCERLY 
(800) 530-1049 ext. 25 
MERCHANDISE HUB OPERATOR 
JOB DESCRIPTION 
DESIRED SKILLS 
v Ability to lift up to 30 lbs without assistance 
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision v Multi-tasking and teamwork 
Critical thinking and attention to details v Excellent communication 
Time management v Computer skills with emphasis on and data entry 
EMPLOYMENT PREREQUISITES 
v At least 18 years old v United States citizen 
Reliable phone connection and internet service 
Possession of the following equipment: computer, printer, digital camera (or Smartphone camera) v Ability to adhere to confidentiality standards v Honesty and Integrity 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 
New hires begin with a probationary period that lasts 30 days. After 30 days, the assessment of the new hires will be conducted on the results of a skills assessment test and feedback from their supervisor. The overall evaluation will be used as the basis to determine if offering the new hire a permanent position is appropriate. 
Earnings during this period are $2250 USD with an additional amount for travel expense totaling $50 USD each month. These will be paid out at the end of the 30 days. 
Permanent employees earn $2450 USD each month and an additional $150 USD for travel expenses each month. Paychecks will be distributed once a month or bi-weekly based on the employee's choice. Checks are mailed to the residence of the employee or direct deposited into their bank account. Direct Deposit forms and other payroll options should be discussed with the employer's Payroll Department. 
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[email protected] © 26816 Hobie Circle Ste. B Murrieta, CA 92562 
ARCERLY 
(800) 530-1049 ext. 25 
MERCHANDISE HUB OPERATOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
Where is ISTS located? Our offices are located at 26816 Hobie Circle Ste. B Murrieta, CA 92562. 
If I am not local to your offices, will I have to move? 
No, you will not be required to relocate for this job. This position is a work-from-home job. 
Are there any part-time opportunities? 
We do not offer any part-time positions, but our full-time positions are very flexible and our employees find it very easy to work into their already existing schedules. 
Will I have to travel as part of this job? Travel is kept to a minimum and typical travel includes visits to local/regional post offices and other carrier offices to pick up and drop off the packages. Your travel expenses are reimbursed provided you submit your receipts and expense form to ISTS. 
Will there be out-of-pocket expenses as a part of this job? 
Yes, but the expenses will be minimal. Your travel expenses, printer supplies and packing material are eligible expenses and will be reimbursed to you with submission of receipts for items and completion of the expense form. 
Does the position come with benefits? Benefits are available to permanent employees who have successfully completed the probationary period. Benefits include a 401k plan, medical and dental plans. 
What is the pay schedule? The wages earned during your probationary period are paid out once the 30 days have been successfully completed. Permanent employees get paid monthly or bi-weekly, depending on their preference. Checks can be directly mailed to employee or deposited into their bank account via direct deposit. 
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[email protected] 
26816 Hobie Circle Ste. B Murrieta, CA 92562 
ARCERLY 
(800) 530-1049 ext. 25 
MERCHANDISE HUB OPERATOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
How many assignments or packages will I process every week? Probationary employees can expect approximately 5-30 packages each week. Permanent employees typically process about 40. 
Are commissions available for the work I complete? The position is not commissioned base and permanent employees are salaried. 
What does a typical work day consist of for a Merchandise Hub Operator? 
The work day begins at 9am your local time. The first task is to check your assignments to see how many deliveries are scheduled to arrive that day and what carriers are delivering them. 
You will have access to tracking numbers which are a helpful resource when trying to route your day and plan ahead. 
You are required to check the CRM system every hour for delivery updates and changes to delivery schedules. 
You will need to be available to personally accept deliveries when they arrive as this is one of the most important responsibilities you have. 
Another main task will be to make certain customers receive their items as quickly as possible and without being damaged. You will inspect each delivery for damage and report any findings immediately to your supervisor. Photographs need to be taken and uploaded into the system for review. In addition, the package will need to be prepared for delivery to the customer based on their instructions. The package must include the invoice and a brochure which you will need to insert prior to forwarding to the customer. 
The packages you process do not weigh more than 50 lbs and will be no larger than 30x30x30 inches. 
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