Instaspeakers - a "Company" collecting sensitive info (Social Security No, Bank account data) Thread poster: Gabriella Vento
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Gabriella Vento 
United States
Local time: 08:41
Member (2015)
English to Hungarian
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I got an email from this company, Instaspeakers.com, offering interpretation via an application for cell phones. I did, what a should have not - followed the link to a quite professional looking website and an application form for the future interpreters. It was constructed, so you could not proceed to the next segment without filling all data. After the basics, SSN and bank info followed.
At the bank info I finally woke up, stopped, and checked the company info on the bottom of the page: ... See more I got an email from this company, Instaspeakers.com, offering interpretation via an application for cell phones. I did, what a should have not - followed the link to a quite professional looking website and an application form for the future interpreters. It was constructed, so you could not proceed to the next segment without filling all data. After the basics, SSN and bank info followed.
At the bank info I finally woke up, stopped, and checked the company info on the bottom of the page: it gave a mailing address in Wilmongton, Delaware - which address on the map proved to be a Post Office.
A few days later another email followed, urging me to finish the sign up process, stating that "they have received lots of questions if they are a scam, but they are not"...
Today, after another urging email I responded with a few questions:
"- Is your company registered, and in good standing?
- Does your company have a physical address, or just the mailbox in the post office?
- What gives you the right to collect sensitive information (SSN, bank account data)
from private parties, who you dont have any legal agreement with?
(The "Terms and conditions" on th website refers to the website itself, not the future
interpretation services, it is not valid anyway without address of the company
headquarters.)
- What is the insurance that these data will be stored, handled and used properly?
Please, let me know."
Dear colleagues, what is your opinion on all this? ▲ Collapse
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They have been contacting me for a while but translator apps is not my cup of tea and their mails go directly to the bin…
| | | | anne cook (X)
United States
Local time: 10:41
American Sign Language to English
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| Instaspeakers | Jun 14, 2019 |
I receive emails from this company. I have looked them up- a Delaware based company in existence for only 3 months. NO additional info. The form I began to fill out asks for my SS#, which is when I stopped. I cannot even find their website. I am assuming a scam??
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| Theirs is not a new idea, actually | Jun 20, 2019 |
I saw an episode of Shark Tank a few months ago, where a couple of guys were pitching a mobile interpretation app. So, when I received the email(s) from Instaspeakers, I thought it was them.
As it turns out, no, this episode was from 2014 (it was an older replay, apparently), and that company is called VerbalizeIt.
Here is the episode, ... See more I saw an episode of Shark Tank a few months ago, where a couple of guys were pitching a mobile interpretation app. So, when I received the email(s) from Instaspeakers, I thought it was them.
As it turns out, no, this episode was from 2014 (it was an older replay, apparently), and that company is called VerbalizeIt.
Here is the episode, if you are interested:
https://www.verbalizeit.com/verbalizeit-shark-tank/
They seem to be a separate company.
So, the idea is not new, even though Instaspreakers makes it sound like it is.
[Edited at 2019-06-20 20:39 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lisa Grayson
United States
Local time: 10:41
Spanish to English
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| Instaspeakers with new fake Illinois address | Aug 11, 2019 |
I received a "Join Our Team" e-mail from Instaspeakers with a downtown Chicago phone number listed and an address of 1921 Ridge Road, Homewood, Illinois. That's a US Post Office. The e-mail text is in decent US English, unlike similar scammers, and even offers an explanation about why they need a translator's Social Security Number:
***Social Security Number: We have researched and tried to figure out ways that you do not have to provide your social security number, however, due to ... See more I received a "Join Our Team" e-mail from Instaspeakers with a downtown Chicago phone number listed and an address of 1921 Ridge Road, Homewood, Illinois. That's a US Post Office. The e-mail text is in decent US English, unlike similar scammers, and even offers an explanation about why they need a translator's Social Security Number:
***Social Security Number: We have researched and tried to figure out ways that you do not have to provide your social security number, however, due to IRS regulations regarding issuance of 1099s, we have to have your social security number. There is no way around this, and no exceptions will be made. We will not accept EIN numbers either.***
Anyone who has no company history, only a P.O. Box, and wants your bank account information and Social Security Number is surely running a scam. Beware!
[Edited at 2019-08-11 23:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Persistent!! | Aug 19, 2019 |
This entity is persistent!! They don't give up! They keep sending "job offerings" and adding or changing to the text as they see necessary!! Beware!
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 17:41
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Sensitive information | Aug 20, 2019 |
Lisa Grayson wrote:
Anyone who has no company history, only a P.O. Box, and wants your bank account information and Social Security Number is surely running a scam. Beware!
[Edited at 2019-08-11 23:29 GMT]
Precisely for this reason, to avoid data theft, I always state that all relevant information, excluding SSN, will be on my first invoice.
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