| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Sharing bank details in audio form? Thread poster: Geneviève Granger
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Hello,
A new prospect in USA came to me with a quite promising offer. The company has real website, is represented at the stock exchange, has a Wikipedia page, etc. thus seems to exist and have no bad reputation. The emails I receive also bear the same address as the web site.
However, they keep sending me documents to fill in, with a very laborious recruiting process. As the weirdest demand I ever had in this regard, they ask me to send them my bank details as an audio... See more Hello,
A new prospect in USA came to me with a quite promising offer. The company has real website, is represented at the stock exchange, has a Wikipedia page, etc. thus seems to exist and have no bad reputation. The emails I receive also bear the same address as the web site.
However, they keep sending me documents to fill in, with a very laborious recruiting process. As the weirdest demand I ever had in this regard, they ask me to send them my bank details as an audio file.
Is this a legal process, and if yes, what is the use of it? The customer was not able to answer about the meaning of such a step.
Thanks in advance,
Geneviève. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Eva Stoppa 
Germany
Local time: 13:26
English to German
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| As long as they don't ask you for your PIN | Sep 6, 2021 |
...they cannot do any harm, I guess, but it is strange and if they don't reply to your question to why they want it that way, it is even stranger.
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Why on audio? Why in a written form is not enough? Some companies seem driven mad by bureaucracy! This client of yours reminded me of an American translation agency which first of all asked me if I was willing to do a short test. OK! No problem! After this was done and approved, asked for a photo (?), a signed NDA and a long list of other requirements and to top it all emailed me a so-called welcome pack having 34 pages for me to read, sign and return.
| | | | IrinaN
United States
Local time: 06:26
English to Russian
+ ...
| So did fake Zeiss, Macmillan et al... | Sep 6, 2021 |
Geneviève Granger wrote:
send them my bank details as an audio file.
My evil mind tells me that in case of any fraud the fact that you've disclosed your bank details to them will be untraceable.
The fraudsters must be reading our forums very carefully:-).
The more paperwork they request, the higher is the mountain that blocks your road to actual jobs.
I'd run as fast as I could. As a minimum, I'd make sure that behind the correctly looking emails there is a living, breathing person working for that company. Also, try to contact their HR or head of the department.
Are "customer" and that crazy company one and the same?
Is this a translation agency? Other US companies have been reluctant to hire/contract foreigners lately ... Too much to explain and prove to Big Brother.
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| Is this a translation company beginning with T? | Sep 6, 2021 |
If so, nothing would surprise me from them. But if they're going to issue such a bizarre request, they should at least tell you why.
| | | | Sarper Aman
Türkiye
Local time: 14:26
Member (2019)
English to Turkish
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I searched about this practice (asking audio file) on the internet but couldn't find anything. Considering that even the customer cant tell you anything about it, I kindly suggest you talk to your own bank first, before sending that information in an unusual format - at least for most of us, I guess.
Have a great week!
[Edited at 2021-09-06 11:05 GMT]
| | | | Geneviève Granger
Germany
Local time: 13:26
Member (2006)
German to French
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
philgoddard wrote:
Is this a translation company beginning with T?
No, this then another company, and a direct client.
[Edited at 2021-09-06 11:12 GMT]
| | | | Geneviève Granger
Germany
Local time: 13:26
Member (2006)
German to French
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Going to ask to my bank. | Sep 6, 2021 |
Sarper Aman wrote:
I kindly suggest you talk to your own bank first, before sending that information in an unusual format - at least for most of us, I guess. [Edited at 2021-09-06 11:05 GMT]
This is a good idea, I am going to do so.
A great week to you too!
Geneviève
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Baran Keki
Türkiye
Local time: 14:26
Member
English to Turkish
| I had a client like that one | Sep 6, 2021 |
It wasn't a translation agency, and it starts with the letter A. After you mentioned it, I did a Google search and saw that they have a Wikipedia page (most interesting). It may be the same client.
It struck me odd when they wanted my bank details in an audio file or on the phone, and they didn't process my invoice until I complied with their unusual request.
They said it was to do with 'security'. I provided my details on the phone. No harm done so far, got paid in full, but I've ... See more It wasn't a translation agency, and it starts with the letter A. After you mentioned it, I did a Google search and saw that they have a Wikipedia page (most interesting). It may be the same client.
It struck me odd when they wanted my bank details in an audio file or on the phone, and they didn't process my invoice until I complied with their unusual request.
They said it was to do with 'security'. I provided my details on the phone. No harm done so far, got paid in full, but I've never heard from them again. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | What kind of audio form? | Sep 6, 2021 |
Any particular requirements regarding the audio form (for example, did they specifically ask that you dictate this personally)? If not, they simply can use some screenreader app to generate audio from the text form.
In any case, if someone asks for unusual things, they should provide a good and verifiable reason why they want it.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:26
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| This is so true | Sep 6, 2021 |
IrinaN wrote:
The more paperwork they request, the higher is the mountain that blocks your road to actual jobs.
So true.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:26
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Kay-Viktor Stegemann wrote:
Any particular requirements regarding the audio form (for example, did they specifically ask that you dictate this personally)? If not, they simply can use some screenreader app to generate audio from the text form.
In any case, if someone asks for unusual things, they should provide a good and verifiable reason why they want it.
The only possible reason is they want to hear you speaking in English.
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Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 05:26
Dutch to English
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| No bank details | Sep 6, 2021 |
What I say to such requests: "When I have completed a job, my bank details will be on the invoice."
| | | | Jean Lachaud
United States
Local time: 07:26
English to French
+ ...
| But why bank information, then? | Sep 6, 2021 |
Tom in London wrote:
The only possible reason is they want to hear you speaking in English.
| | | | Geneviève Granger
Germany
Local time: 13:26
Member (2006)
German to French
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | "Security reasons" | Sep 6, 2021 |
Jean Lachaud wrote: Tom in London wrote:
The only possible reason is they want to hear you speaking in English.
They say now it is for security reasons, because voice cannot be falsified. But why should I send falsified bank data in my emails and on my invoices or how could it be done by others????
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