Carol Anda wrote:
I failed to do my research before submitting personal info (name and address, not sure what they can do with public info) anyways...
I haven't heard anyone suffering repercussions for doing that. They really are concentrating on getting money and not bothering about the information.
Still not sure how they complete the scam if I have the money...
You don't have any money! You have a piece of paper that will turn out to be worthless. What they're hoping is that you'll refund the overpaid amount before the cheque clears. Then you'd have actually lost money to them.
I am going to the bank tomorrow to clarify because I don't want to have any issues...
Good idea! Let the bank know that you now realise you've been scammed. Get them to officially cancel the cheque. Don't let them continue to try to clear it. In the very worst case, that could make you open to prosecution for aiding money-laundering -- but don't lose sleep over that happening as it's extremely unlikely.
too bad people take advantage of people trying to make a decent living. I was so excited about my first job...
It is indeed too bad. My sympathies . But hopefully you haven't spent hours/weeks actually translating the text, as many have done, so you haven't actually lost anything substantial financially, just a bit of lost time. Don't lose heart. Most clients are perfectly fair and honest but you do have to be on your guard. Do sign up to receive notifications from the Scam Centre here. And don't skip the due diligence in future, however "urgent" a new client insists their job is. If necessary, let a job go. Better to get a little rich very slowly than to get very poor very quickly .