168

I just got a job offer with a mobile entertainment network company. But it doesn't feel right with what they are asking. They want my account information. But they also want my user name and password to my account. I never had a job ask that before. Should I back away?

Improve this question
11
  • 46
    Did they interview you before they gave you the job offer? If not, then that's another sign that it's a scam. "If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't."
    – Brandin
    Jan 12, 2017 at 19:41
  • 3
    Out of interest, what country are you in (and is the supposed job offer based in the same country, or elsewhere?)
    – Richard Ev
    Jan 13, 2017 at 2:55
  • 40
    What is a “mobile entertainment network company”?!
    – Konrad Rudolph
    Jan 13, 2017 at 11:42
  • 33
    Being asked for password is always a sign that something is completely wrong. Nobody else other than you needs your password. Moreover the admins of the service itself don't need your password to access your account, since they can do so from the backend, and they have other means of authenticating you.
    – Bakuriu
    Jan 15, 2017 at 9:04
  • 14
    Giving them this is probably a violation of the terms and conditions of your bank (to which you have presumably agreed), and would probably make you liable for any fraudulent action taken.
    – John B. Lambe
    Jan 16, 2017 at 13:38

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
575

Scam. They have absolutely no justification for requesting your password.

Don't back away. Run! And report them to the service they contacted you through, so they can be kicked off it. And to the appropriate government offices; in the US, information about that can be found at https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds

(The FTC in particular has been going after scam artists fairly actively in the past year. I still wish they could be funded well enough to do that properly, but it helps.)

Improve this answer
1
  • 25
    Just to add to this, you really wouldn't be passing up any opportunity anyway. Any tech based company that would genuinely require this (and I very much doubt it) wouldn't be able to tell their arse from their elbow, let alone run a successful business.
    – lewis
    Jan 16, 2017 at 17:24
78

The only thing even remotely close to this that I have ever seen is getting clearance on a government or military project/sub contractor, and they don't ask for your password (or account name). They may ask you to print out a statement, or to have the bank fill out a form (that would contain account balances and average transaction sizes), but I have never seen, even in that case, a request for a username and password.

This is an obvious scam. Even if your setting up direct deposit (some employers do require direct deposit these days) they only ask for routing numbers and account numbers.

Improve this answer
1
  • 92
    The institutions that REALLY (legally) need to see your banking info are also the ones that don't need to ask login details to get the info they need.
    – Mindwin Remember Monica
    Jan 13, 2017 at 12:43
56

You should contact the police. In some cases law enforcement may ask you to go along with the request but using a new account set up by the bank to help get these criminals prosecuted.

Improve this answer
1
14

I know of no (and there is no) legitimate use or need for a bank logon and password.

An employer can legitimately make use of a bank account number for direct deposit; and I have heard directly from one employee that their employer requires a bank account for payments; but employers set that up without your bank logon and password.

Improve this answer
11
  • 3
    > "and I have heard directly from one employee that their employer requires a bank account for payments" I've never heard of a company that doesn't do this, how else would people get paid?
    – Tom
    Jan 13, 2017 at 9:12
  • 2
    @Tom some countries still pay their workers using checks (like UK cheques)
    – Chris H
    Jan 13, 2017 at 9:31
  • 1
    @ChrisH Oh right! TIL :) Must be annoying having to nip to the bank at the end of each month and waiting for the cheque to clear. Do the banks not get really busy with everyone paying in their cheques?
    – Tom
    Jan 13, 2017 at 9:36
  • 1
    @SethR When I first worked in the late 90s, salaries were already paid directly into bank accounts for the majority of people here in the UK. It seems surprising the the US is so far behind on this.
    – Chris H
    Jan 13, 2017 at 17:55
  • 2
    My first ever job out of school in 1977 already used direct bank transfers for salary. I haven't had a job since that didn't. Giving your account details; sort code, a/c number & name is standard practise in the UK. None of that info will allow anyone to access the account, only pay to it. Passwords & PINs on the other hand are an entirely different matter :/
    – Tetsujin
    Jan 18, 2017 at 9:47
-3

I would give them fake data and record them while they are asking and taking your account.
Then I would head on the next police station and use the recording as an evidence to send them to jail.

And for people into legalese, see 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Improve this answer
5
  • 9
    Depending on where you live, it is often illegal to record someone without their consent. This would only get you in trouble as well.
    – David K
    Jan 13, 2017 at 12:50
  • 3
    @DavidK: In fact, depending on where you live. According to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals you can for legitimate use and in most democracies it should be so. Not to mention the number of cases, where the police itself instructs people to do so.
    – antonio
    Jan 13, 2017 at 19:05
  • 23
    You should ask the police first, then do so on their request if that's what they suggest.
    – Lightness Races in Orbit
    Jan 14, 2017 at 13:15
  • 3
    @antonio The article is a little vague and certainly misleading. A quick google leads me to believe the Wiretap Act referenced is a federal law. As a layman, I'd assume their ruling only pertains to the federal law, but many states have laws on recording audio as well, so I think you're advise is not good and if you want to know for sure a consulting a lawyer would be best.
    – Andy
    Jan 16, 2017 at 20:43
  • Sorry, but no. Do not give them anything. Head to a lawyer and/or police. Giving someone fake information is encouraging counter-action. Don't do it.
    – h4ckNinja
    Jan 17, 2017 at 4:39

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .