Lourdes Valtierra Dirden

Author | Podcaster | Content Creator

Trust Your Gut: How I Caught a Job Scam Just in Time

How do you fight predators, con artists, and criminals who try to scam you?

By telling your story. By warning others. So here’s mine.

I had been job searching for months, keeping track of every application. I used the most common platforms—Indeed, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor—and what I kept getting in return were fake job offers sent via email and text. Nothing legitimate ever came through. Eventually, I withdrew from all three.

At the same time, I was also taking free business classes through the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), including one about LinkedIn, which got me thinking about new ways to find work.

Then came the scam on LinkedIn.

On July 3rd, I received a text from a man named “Paul,” claiming to be from Fielding’s Oil & Propane. Right away, there were signs I should’ve paid more attention to. He spelled the company name without an apostrophe—Fieldings oil & propane—and didn’t capitalize the words. I felt uneasy, but I kept going.

He told me to email Micah Chaim at hiringdepts-fieldingsoil.com. When I checked the company’s actual website, I noticed their only emails were service@fieldingsoil.com and info@fieldingsoil.com. Still, I sent the email.

Micah replied with a job description on letterhead with the company’s blue flame logo, but oddly, it didn’t include the company name or any contact number. The formatting was off. The signature didn’t match the names on the official website. And yet, I ignored my gut and answered their interview questions.

By July 5th, I received a formal job offer, supposedly signed by someone named Sumiko Yuka, their “Managing Director and President.” The real owners, Bill and Dave Fielding, were nowhere on the document. They said I’d receive a check via FedEx to purchase a new MacBook Pro—top specs, touch bar, 8TB SSD, all the bells and whistles.

I asked for a phone number. Micah ignored the request.

The next day, I received the check for $4,870. It looked official, with the correct company name this time. I deposited it.

Then I was told to email their “IT consultant,” Sarah Yatch at sarah@webcloudolutions.com (yes, “solutions” was misspelled). She claimed I needed to send a $2,000 deposit so she could “pre-order” the laptop and begin installation.

That’s wen my gut screamed.

I went back to the real Fielding’s Oil & Propane website and called the customer service number. A woman named Cindy picked up. I told her what happened. She confirmed it was a scam. I gave her my contact info and immediately contacted my bank. They removed the check from my account.

What I Learned

I was furious with myself because deep down, I knew. The red flags were everywhere. But I ignored my instincts.

Too many people fall for scams like this. They’re happening right now, especially during vulnerable moments like job searches. These scams aren’t just about money. They target your trust, your identity, and your confidence.

That’s why I’m sharing this.

If you’ve ever been targeted, you’re not alone. If you want help spotting the signs, reach out. I still have the texts and emails. I’m not keeping this story quiet because silence only protects the scammers.

Stay Informed

If you’d like a free download of the Top 10 Scams, just let me know. DM me on Instagram [CLICK HERE] or reach out through the contact form on this site, and I’ll send it your way.

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Recommended Resources

Final Note

Your gut is often smarter than you think. Listen to it. And when in doubt, ask, call, verify, then decide.

Stay safe.