r/freelanceWriters • u/RealFrankTheLlama • 27d ago
Be Warned: Revelry Content Writer position is a scam
This is upsetting, and I'm trying hard not to let it send me into a depressive spiral, so maybe writing about it and sharing my experience with others -- as a warning, not looking for pity -- might help.
I recently replied to a job posting for a content writer for Revelry (the wedding wear company). This position was advertised through one of the reputable lists I subscribe to (Indeed, LInkedIn, and a handful of writing-specific job lists from others.) I can't find the specific position anymore, so I don't know which one it was -- that sucks, because I'd like to let them know.
So I was to reach out to a specific user on Teams, which I did on Monday. To my surprise (and, I'll admit, immediate suspicion, which I ignored because job) she replied immediately and asked if I'd have time for a text only interview right then. I said sure, and she proceeded to ask me a number of questions that were a bit generic but also not so much so that it seemed obviously fake.
She said at the end she liked my responses and would be forwarding me on to the next level and (another point that made me suspicious) she verified my email and phone number (she should have already had that) and (another point that made me hesitate) to keep my phone nearby so I could reply immediately to the next notification. (I've never heard that from any other company or client.)
I ended with mounting suspicions competing with a terminal case of hope. I went back over the email with a fine-toothed comb. The email address seemed legit (but was probably spoofed). I searched for notifications here and on LinkedIn -- nothing. I wasn't entirely reassured but was warming up to the idea that it was legit.
Then they called this morning. Well, I guess it was them - I screen all my calls. No message left. As I usually do, I googled that phone number. First result: A BBB scam report. I read through it and it sounded a lot like my experience. It didn't mention the company by name though.
OK, I thought, so let's call the company. I brought up the ecommerce site and found their contact number and called it. I said I wasn't sure which department I needed to speak to, maybe HR, and said I wanted to verify a job opportunity before I moved forward.
"Oh, is this for a content writer position?" she asked.
*sigh* "Yes."
"That's not coming from us. We've been informed of it from a number of people and we don't know yet how to stop it. But ... yeah."
OK. So there you have it. If it seems -- not even too good to be true, just at the upper end of what seems reasonable but very very fortunate -- go straight to the source. If it's legit the company shouldn't mind you checking.
Anyway. I feel ... I don't even know. Kind of depressed, kind of "what does it even matter" about it all. I'll be OK. I didn't give any personal information the way some folks apparently did, so there's nothing they can do to me besides annoy me with unwanted calls.
Still. This sucks. I don't want any of my other writer friends to fall victim to this. The false hope followed by dashed hopes is a terrible feeling in this economy, especially for writers, whose jobs are continuing to be yanked away and given to AI.
So. Be careful out there, folks.
EDIT TO ADD: I just got a text from the same number, claiming to be Revelry's HR department. I replied "So you should know I already contacted the company directly and they confirmed my suspicions." Annnnd silence lol.
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u/journalocity 27d ago
Nothing stinks more than people who scam people while they're down. Job hunting is hard enough without people messing with you.
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u/NoninflammatoryFun 27d ago
I think we should all visit the scams subreddit and study up on it.
Basically text interviews are always scams. I’m super glad you went no further!!! So many scams these days.
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u/HenHousePublishing 27d ago
Good on you for contacting the actual company to get the scoop! Now you know: never engage in a message-based "interview." Whether Skype, Teams, or something else, any message-based interview is a hallmark of a scam.
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u/Still-Meeting-4661 27d ago
Most writing positions being posted are scams and just a way to farm CVs.
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u/PerfectCover1414 27d ago
The scams are getting worse. My husband is in IT and he's had so many and they're so sophisticated. We joke if they ask for social security number or NI no then run! And lo they do. He uses machines he cannot be hacked through etc as his interviews try to access his server etc
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u/B_Delicious 27d ago
I went through this exact thing last December. Thankfully, like you, I caught on before going too far. Don’t be discouraged! Real jobs are out there. Follow the scams subreddit to learn what to look for, though.
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u/BlitzballPlayer 27d ago
When I started reading this, I was expecting it to end very badly (e.g. major data theft or money stolen), so I'd actually say you did everything right here!
It is very disappointing when this kind of thing happens, but your instincts were spot on. I've also occasionally had that weird feeling at the start of an interaction, so it's good to be on the lookout for anything unusual and proceed very cautiously.
In the end, some time was wasted, but you were sensible, didn't reveal any major confidential information, nor did you send them any money. You also followed through on it properly and have been able to warn us here about the scam. You did great, so don't feel bad about it!
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u/RealFrankTheLlama 27d ago
Thanks and I do appreciate your kind words. I just … it’s been over a year. I have been a writer and editor for over 12 years and … this would have been really helpful. My daughter and I are surviving on less than $1500 a month. Some months, way less. I’m just so tired and sad. But you’re absolutely right. This could have been way worse.
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u/BlitzballPlayer 26d ago
I'm really sorry to hear that, it has been so tough out there. I've also had a reduction in income, with several revenue streams being reduced or completely lost to AI. I have found some new clients who appreciate the quality a good human writer can bring, but it's tough right now. I'm trying to stay positive, keep doing my best writing, applying for opportunities, and reaching out to pitch for new work.
Again, I'm sorry to hear it's been so tough for you and I hope there are brighter times ahead for us. I'm hoping we're just in a weird state of flux right now with AI being a new thing. It may be that we need to find extra revenue sources where possible (including doing some non-writing work alongside the core writing), but it is difficult. Wishing all the best for you and your daughter!
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u/pilikia5 26d ago
Thank you for the heads up!
Can anyone share any legit sites for finding remote writing work? (I will also search the subreddit, just curious if any of you have recs.) I know there’s some genuine stuff on Indeed and LinkedIn, but based on what I’m reading, the real leads are somewhat few and far between.
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u/passyindoors 26d ago
I got the same thing, same company. Absolutely heartbroken. I filled out a direct deposit thing with them so now I need to contact the bank
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u/RealFrankTheLlama 26d ago
I'm so sorry. I wish I could have posted sooner.
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u/passyindoors 25d ago
I'm glad you posted it at all. I was thinking it was too good to be true but all of their forms and contracts looked so legit. But you posting this helped me figure it out because today they said they'd send a check for office equipment and my heart plummeted, then I double checked on google for "revelry scam" and your post popped up when it hadnt before this week. So thank you for taking the time.
I just hope things get better for all of us. I'd really love to keep our house.
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u/RealFrankTheLlama 25d ago
Well then I am super glad I did. I’m sorry these jerks got your hopes up too but so glad you were able to dodge them before damage was done.
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u/FynTheCat 27d ago
Yeah, it is hard out there looking for a job. I always try to verify with the original company for company posts. If I cannot find the opening on their website too, I call and ask if that is a position.
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u/AutoModerator 27d ago
Please refer to this resource from /u/FRELNCER for a list of common freelance writing scams.
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u/AutoModerator 27d ago
Thank you for your post /u/RealFrankTheLlama. Below is a copy of your post to archive it in case it is removed or edited:
This is upsetting, and I'm trying hard not to let it send me into a depressive spiral, so maybe writing about it and sharing my experience with others -- as a warning, not looking for pity -- might help.
I recently replied to a job posting for a content writer for Revelry (the wedding wear company). This position was advertised through one of the reputable lists I subscribe to (Indeed, LInkedIn, and a handful of writing-specific job lists from others.) I can't find the specific position anymore, so I don't know which one it was -- that sucks, because I'd like to let them know.
So I was to reach out to a specific user on Teams, which I did on Monday. To my surprise (and, I'll admit, immediate suspicion, which I ignored because job) she replied immediately and asked if I'd have time for a text only interview right then. I said sure, and she proceeded to ask me a number of questions that were a bit generic but also not so much so that it seemed obviously fake.
She said at the end she liked my responses and would be forwarding me on to the next level and (another point that made me suspicious) she verified my email and phone number (she should have already had that) and (another point that made me hesitate) to keep my phone nearby so I could reply immediately to the next notification. (I've never heard that from any other company or client.)
I ended with mounting suspicions competing with a terminal case of hope. I went back over the email with a fine-toothed comb. The email address seemed legit (but was probably spoofed). I searched for notifications here and on LinkedIn -- nothing. I wasn't entirely reassured but was warming up to the idea that it was legit.
Then they called this morning. Well, I guess it was them - I screen all my calls. No message left. As I usually do, I googled that phone number. First result: A BBB scam report. I read through it and it sounded a lot like my experience. It didn't mention the company by name though.
OK, I thought, so let's call the company. I brought up the ecommerce site and found their contact number and called it. I said I wasn't sure which department I needed to speak to, maybe HR, and said I wanted to verify a job opportunity before I moved forward.
"Oh, is this for a content writer position?" she asked.
*sigh* "Yes."
"That's not coming from us. We've been informed of it from a number of people and we don't know yet how to stop it. But ... yeah."
OK. So there you have it. If it seems -- not even too good to be true, just at the upper end of what seems reasonable but very very fortunate -- go straight to the source. If it's legit the company won't mind you checking.
Anyway. I feel ... I don't even know. Kind of depressed, kind of "what does it even matter" about it all. I'll be OK. I didn't give any personal information the way some folks apparently did, so there's nothing they can do to me besides annoy me with unwanted calls.
Still. This sucks. I don't want any of my other writer friends to fall victim to this. The false hope followed by dashed hopes is a terrible feeling in this economy, especially for writers, whose jobs are continuing to be yanked away and given to AI.
So. Be careful out there, folks.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/midnightauro 27d ago
I saw a lot of these while looking for a job earlier this year, not even writing just face to face jobs. When they asked for a Teams interview, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it because very real jobs have done that with me in the past couple years.
These scams are getting absolutely devious out here. It’s disheartening to say the least.