Official Public Notice: Job Recruitment Scam Alert

Houston Gateway Academy (HGA) has been made aware of fraudulent recruitment schemes targeting job seekers through unauthorized postings on third-party job boards, including Indeed and LinkedIn.

Scammers are actively posing as HGA Human Resources personnel and sending fake employment offers for roles such as Remote School Counselor.

Key Warning Signs of the Scam

• Fake Email Domain: Communications are being sent from lookalike domains such as @houstongatewayacademy.org. All legitimate communications from our district strictly come from @hgaschools.org.

• Fake Check / Vendor Scheme: Applicants are being sent fake cashier's checks or electronic check images, instructed to deposit them, and asked to wire or transfer funds to a third-party "equipment vendor."

• Banking Information Requests: Scammers are asking candidates to complete fraudulent onboarding forms requesting sensitive banking, credit card, or financial details prior to official employment.

Official HGA Hiring Practices

To protect yourself, please note:

1. Official Domain: HGA administrators and HR staff will only contact you from an @hgaschools.org email address.

2. No Purchasing Directives: HGA will never send checks to prospective employees with instructions to buy equipment or transfer money to outside vendors.

3. Verified Application Portal: All legitimate job openings are listed directly on our official site at hgaschools.org.

What to Do If You Have Been Contacted or Impacted

If you have interacted with these scam listings or provided personal details:

1. Do Not Deposit Checks or Transfer Funds: If you received a check, do not deposit or cash it. If already deposited, contact your financial institution immediately.

2. Secure Your Financial Accounts: If you shared banking or account details, notify your bank’s fraud department right away to secure your accounts.

3. Report the Incident:

   • File a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

   • Report the fake user or posting directly to the job platform (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.).

   • Report fraudulent email addresses or domains to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

For verification regarding any employment posting or offer at Houston Gateway Academy, please contact our official Human Resources office directly via our website at hgaschools.org.