# Scam or real **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 14, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758 "2010-09-14T19:27:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/1 "2010-09-14T19:27:04Z")
Edit, I just realized that maybe this should have been posted in My Humble Opinion. My apologies to the mods if that’s the case. I’ve been putting in for some jobs listed on Craigslist. Of course you have to be careful because CL is known for scams. And I am the type of person who always plays it extra safe, so usually if I get the slightest inkling that something is a scam I’ll stay away from it. But being desperate for a job instead of passing on this, I thought I’d for everyone’s opinion. I put in for a “Technical Support Associate” job and got a reply. The company is IKD Property Management. The first concern I have is that when you Google them, nothing comes up and Google asks if you mean IDK Property Management. I also looked them up on DEX Yellow Pages and they’re not there either. The second concern is in the long reply I got from Ben, the human resource manager, is this part: > [@Ben](#): > > Now due to our policies I will not be able to schedule an interview with you until you have > filled out one of our online applications which can be found on our company website. > Please visit [http://ikdmanagement.com/application/](http://ikdmanagement.com/application/) and fill out our short application so we can move on > with the interview process. Each applicant is required to have a personal application code > in order to fill the application. > > Your code is: > > Since we have received such a high number of replies to our job posting I will only be able to > hold your application on my desk for 1-2 days more so please do not wait too long to fill out > our online application! I will contact you as soon as I receive your online application! I took out the code, but it is there in my E-mail. So, everything is telling me that this is a scam, but maybe I’m being overly cautious. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/2 "2010-09-14T19:36:47Z")
By googling a phrase from their website I found [MEM Property Management](http://www.memproperty.com/index.html), which has a remarkably similar website. Looks like IKD is a fake to me. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/3 "2010-09-14T19:39:05Z")
Well, that’s all I need. That, combined everything else about the E-mail convince me that it’s a scam. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/4 "2010-09-14T19:44:48Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Well, that’s all I need. That, combined everything else about the E-mail convince me that it’s a scam. > > Thank you. You could always go through the online application process and see how long it takes before it asks your for either a SSN or an application fee. But I’d probably stop after not finding them listed on Google anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![cla1067](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b782af/32.png) [@cla1067](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cla1067)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/5 "2010-09-14T19:46:09Z")
I think it is a scam. I got the email today and it had the same exact wording/layout. The site looks decent, simple, and not very personalized. I’m guessing they keep reusing it. I applied to “IT Helpdesk Analyst” and it was sent to my spam folder. Also used whois and it says it was created “Creation Date: 14-sep-2010” [http://www.whois.net/whois/ikdmanagement.com](http://www.whois.net/whois/ikdmanagement.com) ```auto Domain Name: IKDMANAGEMENT.COM Registrar: ENOM, INC. Whois Server: whois.enom.com Referral URL: http://www.enom.com Name Server: NS1.IKDMANAGEMENT.COM Name Server: NS2.IKDMANAGEMENT.COM Status: clientTransferProhibited Updated Date: 14-sep-2010 Creation Date: 14-sep-2010 Expiration Date: 14-sep-2011 ``` ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/6 "2010-09-14T19:47:38Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > > [@Nobody](#): > > > > Well, that’s all I need. That, combined everything else about the E-mail convince me that it’s a scam. > > > > Thank you. > > You could always go through the online application process and see how long it takes before it asks your for either a SSN or an application fee. > > But I’d probably stop after not finding them listed on Google anywhere. Yeah, I thought about looking at their on-line application, but when I click the link, I’m supposed to give my name, E-mail address, and the code. Frankly, I don’t want to give my name an E-mail address to a potential scammer. Although typing this I just realized that I could have given phony information, but nah, I think I’ll just avoid it all-together. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/7 "2010-09-14T19:48:58Z")
> [@cla1067](#): > > I think it is a scam. I got the email today and it had the same exact wording/layout. The site looks decent, simple, and not very personalized. I’m guessing they keep reusing it. > > I applied to “IT Helpdesk Analyst” and it was sent to my spam folder. Also used whois and it says it was created “Creation Date: 14-sep-2010” > [http://www.whois.net/whois/ikdmanagement.com](http://www.whois.net/whois/ikdmanagement.com) > > ```auto > > Domain Name: IKDMANAGEMENT.COM > Registrar: ENOM, INC. > Whois Server: whois.enom.com > Referral URL: http://www.enom.com > Name Server: NS1.IKDMANAGEMENT.COM > Name Server: NS2.IKDMANAGEMENT.COM > Status: clientTransferProhibited > Updated Date: 14-sep-2010 > Creation Date: 14-sep-2010 > Expiration Date: 14-sep-2011 > > ``` :eek: Yikes! If it was just created then it has to be a scam. ---
**Author:** ![cla1067](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b782af/32.png) [@cla1067](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cla1067)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/8 "2010-09-14T19:50:31Z")
Random, but check out this email I received a couple days ago. I think it is interesting to say the least. The issues that they have is that they don’t include your job position (Many would not, but interesting to note it could be used in any job category), Talks about the IQ Test way to much, and can tell it is an automated response. > [@](#): > > Thank you for your interest in the position we have open. In order to be considered, candidates must meet the following criteria: > > - Provide last 18 months work history > - Include two references > - Be willing to complete a standard 2 week training period > - Complete an IQ test, which is linked here. > > The test takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Be sure to include your phone number after you complete the test in order to track your score and for contact purposes. Applicants scoring within a specified range will be contacted by telephone to schedule an interview within 24 hours of completion by one of our managers. Test information is strictly prohibited from being shared with any second parties. It is important to us that your information is kept confidential and exempt from disclosure. > Note: Applicants who do not complete the test will not be considered for the position due to the high volume of inquiries we receive. > > Thank you again for your interest. > > Sincerely, > Kathy Clarke - Human Resources ---
**Author:** ![Bag\_of\_Mostly\_Water](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bag_of_mostly_water/32/1029_2.png) [@Bag\_of\_Mostly\_Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bag_of_Mostly_Water)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/9 "2010-09-14T19:52:32Z")
What’s even more fascinating is that the MEM web site was designed and maintained by [ITelagen®](http://www.itelagen.com) and the MEM web site looks remarkably like the IKD site. The MEM site references and links to ITelagen, while the IKD site does not. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/10 "2010-09-14T19:52:48Z")
Another thing that made me think IKD was a scam is that when I went to the Web site and looked at available positions is that the one I applied for wasn’t among them. ---
**Author:** ![cla1067](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b782af/32.png) [@cla1067](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cla1067)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/11 "2010-09-14T19:55:57Z")
Another note would be that they do not have a contact number or email. All they have is a embedded thing on the site that doesn’t tell you where it is sent. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/12 "2010-09-14T20:05:31Z")
> [@Ex\_Chemist](#): > > What’s even more fascinating is that the MEM web site was designed and maintained by [ITelagen®](http://www.itelagen.com) and the MEM web site looks remarkably like the IKD site. The MEM site references and links to ITelagen, while the IKD site does not. I suspect that MEM site is probably real, given that it seems to have some more details such as contact phone numbers and emails. The IKD site obviously just copied over all the text and added their own (probably stolen from some other site) graphics to make themselves look legit. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/13 "2010-09-14T20:25:45Z")
> [@cla1067](#): > > Random, but check out this email I received a couple days ago. I think it is interesting to say the least. The issues that they have is that they don’t include your job position (Many would not, but interesting to note it could be used in any job category), Talks about the IQ Test way to much, and can tell it is an automated response. > > > [@](#): > > > > Thank you for your interest in the position we have open. In order to be considered, candidates must meet the following criteria: > > > > - Provide last 18 months work history > > - Include two references > > - Be willing to complete a standard 2 week training period > > - Complete an IQ test, which is linked here. > > > > The test takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Be sure to include your phone number after you complete the test in order to track your score and for contact purposes. Applicants scoring within a specified range will be contacted by telephone to schedule an interview within 24 hours of completion by one of our managers. Test information is strictly prohibited from being shared with any second parties. It is important to us that your information is kept confidential and exempt from disclosure. > > Note: Applicants who do not complete the test will not be considered for the position due to the high volume of inquiries we receive. > > > > Thank you again for your interest. > > > > Sincerely, > > Kathy Clarke - Human Resources To see if the IQ test is just another method of phising, it would be fun to complete it (if it’s real) and put all wrong answers. Then see if they say you qualified. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/14 "2010-09-14T20:26:18Z")
> [@cla1067](#): > > Another note would be that they do not have a contact number or email. All they have is a embedded thing on the site that doesn’t tell you where it is sent. They don’t even have a business address on the web page. That’s very strange for a legitimate business. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/15 "2010-09-14T20:28:05Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > > [@cla1067](#): > > > > Another note would be that they do not have a contact number or email. All they have is a embedded thing on the site that doesn’t tell you where it is sent. > > They don’t even have a business address on the web page. That’s very strange for a legitimate business. Yeah, when I clicked the “Contact” link all it does it let you send them an E-mail. Every other contact link for other web sites usually has addresses and phone numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Vegas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f6c823/32.png) [@Vegas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vegas)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/16 "2010-09-14T20:33:35Z")
I also received the same message as nobody not once but twice from two different people who claim to be the HR manager. I also check for their website and didn’t find anything. I hate it that people sink so low, when there are too many people out there in need of work (I am one of them), who will actually take the time to fill out their bogus application!:smack: ---
**Author:** ![solrac1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@solrac1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solrac1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/17 "2010-09-14T22:46:33Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Edit, I just realized that maybe this should have been posted in My Humble Opinion. My apologies to the mods if that’s the case. > > I’ve been putting in for some jobs listed on Craigslist. Of course you have to be careful because CL is known for scams. And I am the type of person who always plays it extra safe, so usually if I get the slightest inkling that something is a scam I’ll stay away from it. > > But being desperate for a job instead of passing on this, I thought I’d for everyone’s opinion. > > I put in for a “Technical Support Associate” job and got a reply. The company is IKD Property Management. The first concern I have is that when you Google them, nothing comes up and Google asks if you mean IDK Property Management. I also looked them up on DEX Yellow Pages and they’re not there either. > > The second concern is in the long reply I got from Ben, the human resource manager, is this part: > > > [@Ben](#): > > > > Now due to our policies I will not be able to schedule an interview with you until you have > > filled out one of our online applications which can be found on our company website. > > Please visit [http://ikdmanagement.com/application/](http://ikdmanagement.com/application/) and fill out our short application so we can move on > > with the interview process. Each applicant is required to have a personal application code > > in order to fill the application. > > > > Your code is: > > > > Since we have received such a high number of replies to our job posting I will only be able to > > hold your application on my desk for 1-2 days more so please do not wait too long to fill out > > our online application! I will contact you as soon as I receive your online application! > > I took out the code, but it is there in my E-mail. > > So, everything is telling me that this is a scam, but maybe I’m being overly cautious. What do you think? This doesn’t smell good. The domain registration is from Russia: =-=-=-= Visit [AboutUs.org](http://AboutUs.org) for more information about [ikdmanagement.com](http://ikdmanagement.com) AboutUs: [ikdmanagement.com](http://ikdmanagement.com) Registration Service Provided By: Ruler-Domains Contact: [scr@rdoman.com](mailto:scr@rdoman.com) Domain name: [ikdmanagement.com](http://ikdmanagement.com) Registrant Contact: Pavel Aleksandrov () Fax: Lenin ave 39/9 Moscow, 90967 RU Administrative Contact: Pavel Aleksandrov ([PavelAleksandrov@mail.ru](mailto:PavelAleksandrov@mail.ru)) +1.1267633834 Fax: Lenin ave 39/9 Moscow, 90967 RU Technical Contact: Pavel Aleksandrov ([PavelAleksandrov@mail.ru](mailto:PavelAleksandrov@mail.ru)) +1.1267633834 Fax: Lenin ave 39/9 Moscow, 90967 RU Status: Locked Name Servers: [ns1.ikdmanagement.com](http://ns1.ikdmanagement.com) [ns2.ikdmanagement.com](http://ns2.ikdmanagement.com) Creation date: 14 Sep 2010 08:18:00 Expiration date: 14 Sep 2011 03:18:00 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/18 "2010-09-14T23:26:26Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > > [@cla1067](#): > > > > Another note would be that they do not have a contact number or email. All they have is a embedded thing on the site that doesn’t tell you where it is sent. > > They don’t even have a business address on the web page. That’s very strange for a legitimate business. I’d expect that the website for a property management company would say in which cities they own property and the names of the apartment buildings or condo complexes they own in those cities. The fact that they don’t mention any of this on their website is also suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/19 "2010-09-15T00:35:39Z")
There’s a warning about them posted on Craigslist: Knoxville: [http://knoxville.craigslist.org/tch/1954158383.html](http://knoxville.craigslist.org/tch/1954158383.html) ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758/20 "2010-09-15T01:59:12Z")
Yup, except for the name, that’s the exact E-mail I got. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-or-real/553758.md?page=2)