When Dream Jobs Go Up in Smoke

Looking for freelance work I came upon what I'd call "my dream job." This was a telecommute job where you do research for a gateway company and get paid for it. The pay seemed more than fair and, depending on your qualifications and speed at which you can complete projects, it promised to be a good part-time source of income.

I applied online to the company and several days later received an email saying my application had been approved and I could go ahead and print, fill out, sign and return to them their contract. No problem here. I read the contract. Seemed to be on the up and up. The red flags came up when I read the type of material they wanted me to send along with the signed contract: copy of college transcript, copy of passport, social security number, bank account information (for direct deposit of money I'd earn while working with them).

I've been a freelancer for over 20 years now. I've never had to give copy of passport nor bank information to anyone... ever. I'd never do that. The thought of passing that info along to someone who doesn't even list their phone number on their website gives me the ebbe jebbes.

I tried searching for the company at the BBB from the state they list they're from...the company is not listed. I tried searching for them at the Dept of Revenue of that particular state...no listing for this company there either.

Regretfully I have concluded that this particular "dream job" of mine has just gone up in smoke. Guess that's better than me going up in smoke were I to give out the type of info they wanted me to send them, huh?