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  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 9, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , repackaging, , ,   

    The “Work-From-Home” Job That Turns You Into the Mule 

    The “Work-From-Home” Job That Turns You Into the Mule

    By Greg Collier

    Every economic slowdown creates opportunity, not just for job seekers but for scammers.

    This time, the bait isn’t a fake investment or a romance pitch. It’s a “work-from-home” job that promises easy money, fast onboarding, and a professional-sounding title while quietly turning you into the middleman of a retail theft operation.

    A Job That Sounds Legitimate and a Role You Never Signed Up For:

    When remote work feels scarce and bills are due, a job offer with no interview, no experience requirements, and minimal effort can feel like a lifeline. Titles like delivery operations specialist or quality control manager sound corporate enough to be real and flexible enough to be believable.

    Federal investigators say that’s exactly the point.

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, these offers are part of reshipping scams that use stolen credit cards and bank accounts to buy high-value merchandise, then pass the legal risk downstream to unsuspecting workers.

    What’s Going On:

    Recruiters reach out claiming to represent a logistics company or recognizable brand like Amazon or FedEx. Soon after, packages begin arriving at your home. They’re often expensive electronics or brand-new consumer goods.

    You’re instructed to open the boxes, discard the original packaging and receipts, and forward the merchandise to a new address, frequently an international one. The work is framed as inspection, quality control, or shipping support.

    Then payday comes. And goes.

    Communication slows, emails stop arriving, and the company disappears. Only later do many victims learn the items were purchased with stolen financial information, and that any personal details shared during “onboarding” may now be compromised as well.

    By then, the scammer is gone. The paper trail leads to you.

    Why It Works:

    Reshipping scams rely on familiarity and routine. Receiving packages feels normal. Printing labels feels harmless. The tasks don’t register as criminal, especially when wrapped in corporate branding and professional language.

    The fraud also thrives on urgency. Victims are nudged to act quickly, discouraged from asking questions, and reassured that everything is standard procedure. The delay between the work and the realization gives scammers time to vanish.

    This isn’t about stealing money directly. It’s about outsourcing exposure.

    Red Flags:

    • Any job where the primary responsibility is forwarding packages from your home.
    • No formal interview, offer letter, or verifiable company presence.
    • Requests for copies of IDs, banking details, or Social Security numbers during onboarding.
    • Vague pay schedules or explanations like “processing periods.”
    • Warnings not to discuss the job with others or pressure to act immediately.

    There’s a reason legitimate employers don’t operate this way.

    Quick Tip: Search the company or recruiter’s name along with words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.” If you see reports about missing pay or reshipping goods, walk away. That pause can save months of cleanup.

    What You Can Do:

    • Verify employers independently using official websites and contact information.
    • Talk through job offers with someone you trust before accepting.
    • Never share sensitive personal or financial information unless the employer is unquestionably real.
    • Be skeptical of roles that sound operationally important but offer no transparency.

    Real companies ship from warehouses, not spare bedrooms.

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Visit IdentityTheft.gov to protect your information immediately.
    • Monitor credit reports and financial accounts for unusual activity.
    • Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • Notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report.
    • Save emails, shipping labels, and instructions as documentation.

    Even if you never got paid, the harm may already be in motion.

    Final Thoughts:

    Reshipping scams are effective because they don’t feel like scams. They feel like work. They arrive neatly boxed, labeled, and framed as opportunity.

    But no legitimate job requires you to forward stolen goods through your home. If a work-from-home offer turns your living space into a shipping hub, you weren’t hired; you were used.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:03 am on May 30, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , repackaging, ,   

    Tricked Into Crime by a Fake Job 

    Tricked Into Crime by a Fake Job

    By Greg Collier

    In a twist on employment fraud, scammers are targeting people looking for work with what seems like an easy way to make money. Known as a reshipping scam, the scheme presents itself as a legitimate job offer under titles such as “shipping coordinator” or other vaguely defined logistics roles. The job may appear to offer attractive pay for minimal effort, but the reality is far more dangerous and costly.

    Victims of reshipping scams are often asked to receive packages at their home and then forward them to other locations. The job might require them to use their own funds to pay for the second shipment, with the promise of reimbursement and wages after the task is completed. But when the time comes to be paid, the employer vanishes, leaving the victim without compensation and out the money they spent on shipping.

    What many don’t realize until it’s too late is that the contents of the packages are frequently obtained using stolen credit cards. Items sent through these operations have included high-value goods like drones, electronics and even precious metals. This setup not only leaves victims financially drained, but can also put them in legal jeopardy. Law enforcement agencies have documented cases where participants in reshipping schemes were investigated or arrested after unknowingly assisting in the transport of stolen merchandise.

    The danger escalates further when victims provide personal information during the so-called hiring process. Information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses and banking details are often collected, making the victim vulnerable to identity theft in addition to financial loss.

    Some individuals, in an attempt to avoid trouble once they realize they’ve been scammed, might try to dispose of or reroute the packages without following shipping or customs regulations. Doing so can lead to further legal consequences. Authorities have warned that attempting to circumvent import or export laws, even unknowingly, can result in criminal charges.

    The scheme is often tied to larger networks of organized crime that profit from exploiting individuals under the guise of employment. The psychological toll of being deceived, combined with the financial impact, can leave victims with lasting consequences.

    As employment scams continue to evolve, it’s critical for jobseekers to remain suspicious and verify the legitimacy of any position that involves personal financial risk or unusual responsibilities. When something sounds too good to be true, it often is.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 24, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , repackaging, , ,   

    The Hidden Dangers of Reshipping Scams 

    The Hidden Dangers of Reshipping Scams

    By Greg Collier

    Reshipping scams have surfaced as a deceptive scheme, preying on individuals seeking flexible, work-from-home opportunities. These scams often begin with a seemingly simple email or text message offering a job involving the reshipping of packages. Victims are promised payment or shipping fees in exchange for their participation, making the offer appear legitimate. However, these operations often conceal significant risks beneath their surface.

    The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has recently issued a warning about this scam, alerting consumers to the potential dangers involved. Once participants accept the job, packages begin arriving at their homes. They are instructed to remove the original shipping labels, replace them with new ones, and forward the items to various addresses. In some cases, participants may also be asked to repackage contents or separate items for individual shipment, unknowingly becoming a part of a broader fraudulent operation.

    Many of the packages involved contain stolen or illegal merchandise, turning participants into unintentional couriers of contraband. Even more concerning is the possibility that scammers may direct participants to falsify shipping documents to bypass U.S. customs. Anyone who willingly alters or forges documentation faces the risk of criminal prosecution, as these actions are viewed as a violation of federal law. Authorities often hold individuals accountable for such involvement, regardless of whether they were fully aware of the scam’s true nature.

    These scams exploit the trust and goodwill of unsuspecting individuals, leaving many not only unpaid but also vulnerable to legal repercussions. The risks extend beyond financial loss, as law enforcement may view participants as complicit in criminal activities.

    The BBB urges consumers to be cautious when receiving unexpected job offers, especially those sent through text messages or emails. Verifying the legitimacy of these offers and avoiding requests for personal information or upfront payment can protect individuals from falling victim to these schemes. Those who believe they have been targeted by a reshipping scam should report the incident to the BBB and contact their financial institution to mitigate any potential losses.

    Reshipping scams are more than just empty promises, they are dangerous schemes that can have lasting legal and financial consequences. Early detection is essential to avoid becoming entangled in these deceptive operations.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 16, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , repackaging, , ,   

    Reshipping scam lands victim in jail 

    By Greg Collier

    For some time, we’ve been warning our readers about the reshipping or repackaging scam, and how victims of the scam can run afoul of the law. But first, let’s explain how the scam works.

    The reshipping scam is a type of fraud where scammers recruit individuals, often unwittingly, to receive and reship packages to a different location. The scammers use various tactics to convince people to participate in this scheme, such as fake job offers or work-from-home opportunities.

    Scammers may post job ads or send emails offering individuals the chance to work from home. These offers often promise high salaries and flexible working hours. The job description often details how reshippers receive goods at their home address and act as a quality control agent.

    The scammers provide instructions on how to repackage and forward the received items to another address, often located in a different country. They may claim that it’s part of a global shipping or distribution network, or that they represent a major retailer.

    Unbeknownst to the reshipper, the items they receive and forward are often purchased using stolen credit card information or other fraudulent means. This helps the scammers cover their tracks.

    Victims of the reshipping scam never receive any kind of reimbursement from their supposed employers.

    The real danger of the reshipping scam is that even if the reshipper is unaware of being part of a scam, they can still be arrested for their involvement. One of the ways victims can find themselves in hot water is if they willingly falsify shipping documentation as directed by the scammers to bypass US customs.

    A woman from Toledo, Ohio, was recently arrested for her alleged involvement in a reshipping scam, and she was unaware it was a scam at all. As expected, she applied to a work from home job listing. She was ‘hired’ immediately in an over the phone interview.

    After a month of reshipping, Toledo police officers showed up at her door. It’s unclear what laws she is said to have specifically broken, but she was never paid by her supposed employer. She could have her name cleared and charges dropped later in the investigation, but she did have to post bail. Now, the victim is out of money when she was just trying to provide for her family.

    It’s important for individuals to be cautious about unsolicited job offers, especially those that involve receiving and reshipping packages. Legitimate employers typically do not require employees to use their personal addresses for receiving and forwarding goods. If someone suspects they are involved in a reshipping scam, it’s crucial to cease any involvement immediately and report the incident to authorities.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on May 4, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , repackaging, , ,   

    Reshipping scam resurfaces 

    Reshipping scam resurfaces

    By Greg Collier

    When it comes to job scams, especially work from home scams, the reshipping scam is probably one of the most nefarious. This is a type of fraud where criminals purchase items with stolen credit card information and have them shipped to a person in another country or location.

    The reshipper then receives the package, removes the original shipping label and replaces it with a new one addressed to the final destination, which is usually another location where the scammers can collect the items or resell them for a profit.

    The scam works by exploiting the differences in the cost of goods and shipping fees between countries or regions, allowing scammers to purchase items at a lower price from one country and sell them for a higher price in another, using the stolen credit card information to cover the costs. The reshipper is usually unaware that they are participating in a criminal activity and may believe that they are providing a legitimate forwarding service.

    The Better Business Bureau recently issued a warning after receiving complaints from victims who were hired by scammers as a packaging inspector. The state of Wisconsin has been especially hit hard, as many of the scam’s victims have been found there.

    What makes the scam appear legitimate is the scammers have a phony payroll dashboard online where victims not only track their hours worked, but also provide their personal information for payment. The victims are never paid and when they inquire with their supposed employer about their payment, the scammers disappear, taking the victim’s personal information with them.

    What’s most problematic about this scam is this scam could actually land a victim in jail. If a scam victim willingly falsifies shipping documentation as directed by the scammers to bypass US customs, they may be subject to imprisonment.

    This scam is easy to avoid if you’re aware of one vital piece of information. Reshipping is not a real job. It’s exclusive to job scammers. These positions are often advertised online with such titles as ‘shipping coordinator’, ‘warehouse distribution coordinator’, or ‘local hub inspector’. No matter what the job is called, it’s never legitimate.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 26, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , repackaging, ,   

    Anatomy of a job scam 

    By Greg Collier

    When we discuss the reshipping or repackaging scam, we often have to give generic descriptions of it. For example, the reshipping is a job scam that sounds like a real work from home job, but doesn’t actually exist in the workforce. Scammers will often post a work at home position online, that’s supposed to pay really well. The job entails receiving goods at the employee’s home, who inspects the good for damages. The employee is then supposed to ship the goods to a third party.

    As previously stated, this is not a real job. This is a way for scammers to send goods bought with stolen credit cards to a location that can’t be easily traced. More often than not, the employee/victim of the scam is often caught off guard when police show up at their home.

    However, thanks to the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut, we have the specifics of how one scam ring allegedly operated. A company that went by multiple names kept claiming they were based in Connecticut, while offering positions of a ‘shipping and packaging specialist’ or a ‘picker packer specialist’. This company offered $2400 a month for these phony positions. Employees were even required to log in to a company dashboard to report their hours. Victims didn’t even know they were being scammed until it came time to get paid, and the companies would just disappear.

    This scam can hurt its victims in a number of ways. The first way is that the victims are making plans for the money they think they’re going to be paid, such as paying their bills or rent. When that money doesn’t come, victims could now even be more in debt. Secondly, the scammers probably had their victims fill out legitimate looking applications and tax forms. Scammers could now easily steal the identity of their victims. Lastly, and most importantly, this scam could actually land a victim in jail. If a victim of the scam knowingly falsifies shipping documents under the instruction of the scammers to get around US customs, they could face jail time.

    If you think you may be a victim in a reshipping scam, there are steps you can take. If you’ve already received items, don’t mail them. Instead, contact the USPS Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 14, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , repackaging, , , ,   

    Work from home job is just an identity theft scam 

    By Greg Collier

    More and more employers are offering work from home positions to new recruits. However, scammers have been offering work from home positions longer than employers and know how to convince their victims the job is for real. Work from home scams go back to the days when envelope stuffing positions were offered in the back of magazines. So, it should really come as no surprise when scammers and con artists continue to find victims for their schemes.

    The work from home scam we’re about to discuss may be familiar to our readers, and it’s the reshipping or repackaging scam. In this scam, the scammers typically approach someone who is looking for a job. If they’re looking for a work from home job, it’s even better for the scammers. The scammers will claim that they found the victim’s resume online and that the victim would be perfect for the position.

    That position is one where the victim is expected to receive packages at their home, inspect them for damages, then ship them to a third party. The packages the victims receive are usually items that were paid for with stolen credit cards. Then the victim unknowingly is shipping them to another scammer who will sell the items for a profit.

    However, there is a secondary outcome to the reshipping scam. The scammers have the victims fill out official-looking paperwork as if the victim is really applying for a job. This includes not only the victim’s Social Security number but can include their banking information as well under the guise of having direct deposit set up.

    A victim from Oklahoma worked one of these scam positions for a month. When she asked the phony employer about payment, the scammers cut off all communication with her. Here, this person thought they would be paid, but instead are now behind on their bills thanks to the scammers.

    The best way to protect yourself from this scam is to know that the reshipping position is not a real job offered by real companies. This kind of job offer only comes from scammers. Be wary of any employment offer that seems to be going too fast from the time of contact to the time of hire. Also, be wary of any position where the employer only communicates with you through some kind of messaging app. These are used instead of more traditional communications, so the scammers can remain virtually anonymous.

     

  • Geebo 8:09 am on July 15, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , repackaging, ,   

    Job scam victim almost ends up in jail 

    Job scam victim almost ends up in jail

    By Greg Collier

    We always warn our readers that there is one scam that could land a victim in jail if they’re not careful. That scam is the reshipping or repackaging scam. In the reshipping scam, scammers will advertise this as a work from home position where the victim’s job is to inspect packages they receive. Typically, the items sent to victims are either stolen or have been purchased using stolen credit card information. The scammers pose as a shipping company or known retailer. The victim is then instructed to send the contents of the packages to a third party. The third party is usually someone overseas. These positions are often advertised online with such titles as ‘shipping coordinator’, ‘warehouse distribution coordinator, or ‘local hub inspector’.

    A man from Florida recently found out how perilous being a victim of this job scam can be. He thought he was working in a quality control position while sending out the packages he received with new shipping labels. Unbeknownst to him, an iPad the man had shipped off had been reported stolen. Investigators were able to track it to a UPS drop-off box. By reviewing security camera footage, police approached the man at the same drop-off box and placed him in handcuffs. After the man explained the situation to police, he was informed of the scam by a police investigator familiar with such scams.

    Receiving stolen goods under false pretenses won’t necessarily land a victim in jail. However, there is a step that some victims have taken that have landed them in legal trouble. If a victim knowingly falsifies shipping documents under the instruction of the scammers to get around US customs, they could face jail time. This is regardless of whether the victim knows it’s a scam or not.

    The best way a jobseeker can protect themselves from a shipping scams is to not accept the position in the first place. No legitimate company sends products to an employee’s home for reshipping. Scammers are only too happy to have a stolen item traced back to the victim’s home address rather than wherever the scammer is located. By accepting this phony job position, victims are acting as an unwitting middleman in a stolen goods ring.

    If you think you may be a victim in a reshipping scam, there are steps you can take. If you’ve already received items, don’t mail them. Instead, contact the USPS Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on April 29, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , repackaging, ,   

    Dangerous job scam back in the news 

    Dangerous job scam back in the news

    By Greg Collier

    There are several different job scams that someone could find online. In most instances, these scams will either steal your personal information, steal your money, or both. However, there is one job scam that potentially puts its victims in real danger.

    We’re referring to the reshipping or repackaging scam. In the reshipping scam, the victim is asked to inspect goods that are sent to their home before putting the goods in new packaging and sending them to a third party, usually overseas. The goods themselves are typically purchased with stolen credit card information. The scam is typically part of a larger money laundering operation.

    This scam is so lucrative that the scammers will even use paid employment platforms like Indeed. These same scammers will often claim they represent major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, or that they’re contracted with them.

    Recently, in South Carolina, authorities there have received numerous complaints about a supposed shipping company that was supposedly employing reshippers all over the country. In this instance, the reshippers were never paid after sending out packages. When the victims would try to contact the shipping company about payment, the shipping company would block all communications. The company claimed that their main office was in South Carolina, but no actual company existed at the address listed.

    The real problem with the reshipping scam is that even victims could find themselves in legal trouble. If the victim knowingly falsifies shipping documents under the instruction of the scammers to get around US customs, that is considered mail fraud and could get the victim serious jail time.

    Please keep in mind that there are no legitimate jobs that involve receiving packages and shipping them to someone else from your home. If you see an ad listing for such a job, it’s a scam.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on March 22, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , package mule scam, repackaging, , ,   

    FBI warns of scam that could land victims in jail 

    FBI warns of scam that could land victims in jail

    By Greg Collier

    Both the FBI and the Better Business Bureau have issued a warning about a work from home scam that could have devastating consequences for its victims. They’re referring to the scam that’s called the repackaging or reshipping scam. It also goes by the name of the package mule scam.

    Scammers will advertise a work from home position as a package inspector. Applicants will be asked to receive deliveries at their place of residence. These inspectors will be asked to make sure the item they received isn’t damaged before sending the item to a third-party. Typically, the items are purchased using stolen credit card information. By the time anyone realizes the purchase has been made, the item has been shipped overseas by the unwitting package inspector. Calling this a scam almost downplays the seriousness of the matter. The reshipping scam is actually part of a larger money laundering operation.

    The reshipping scam can have several harmful outcomes for the package inspector. For example, the supposed company could pay the inspectors with a fraudulent check. The inspectors could also be asked to use that check to pay for business equipment needed for the job with the money from the fraudulent check. This would leave the inspector with a large debt to their bank they might not be able to pay. However, the most serious outcome is the one where the victim is arrested without knowing they were being scammed. If an inspector knowingly falsifies shipping documents under the instruction of the scammers to get around US customs, they could face jail time.

    The best way to protect yourself from a scam like this is with the knowledge that work from home package inspector is not a real job. Often, these scammers will pose as large companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. They’ll give the phony positions names like ‘shipping coordinator’, ‘warehouse distribution coordinator’, or ‘local hub inspector’. The FBI says corporations like this should be able to do any kind of item inspection on their own.

    If you think you may be a victim in a reshipping scam, there are steps you can take. If you’ve already received items, don’t mail them. Instead, contact the USPS Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455.

     

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