[July 22, 2011] Scam traps KSC student Tweet Jul 22, 2011 (The Keene Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Summer jobs are one way many college students save up to pay for groceries, textbooks and student loans. However, one local student says she was hired for a job this summer and ended up getting scammed, losing nearly $2,000. "It's emotionally traumatizing," said Alicia M. Borden, 22, a Keene State College student. Looking for a part-time job, Borden scrolled through the job listings on the college's job website until she came across an opening for a baby sitter and personal assistant. The woman who posted the listing claimed she was out of town, but she and Borden were in contact through email for three weeks before the incident. She told Borden that when she got back Borden could start baby-sitting. Before returning home, the woman instructed Borden to pick up a package of office supplies for her, Borden said. Borden was to deposit a company check into her personal account, then transfer the money to a third party to have the supplies sent over. After the bank had cleared the check, Borden transferred the money to the third party. A few days later, she checked her account, only to discover that $1,700 had been withdrawn. Borden's supposed employer wouldn't return emails and there is no phone number to reach her, Borden said. Keene police Sgt. Christopher L. Simons said it's considered a civil matter between Borden and the bank, not a criminal matter, because Borden knowingly deposited the check and transferred the money. Keene State removed the job posting from its site and is working with Borden to not only find the woman, but warn other students, Borden said. Members of the Keene State Academic and Career Department have taped a video of Borden telling her story to caution other students when seeking employment online, said Eve Alintuck, Keene State's marketing and communications director. The video will air on the job website in a few weeks. Keene State is also going to provide students with an information sheet on warning signs that a job may not be legitimate, such as asking for personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or to deposit a check, Alintuck said. "Keene State College is following up on this and tracking it as far as they can," Borden said. Because it's an open investigation, Keene State is unable to comment further, Alintuck said. In a student empowerment activism class Borden's taking this summer, she's using her experience to write a paper and do a large research project as another way to get her story out. "Never ever deal with money like that," Borden said. To see more of The Keene Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sentinelsource.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Keene Sentinel, N.H. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]