Fake ads in order to steal someone's identity could it be true?

A friend of mine is looking for a job while she finishes up her degree. So she's been applying to positions all over and came across the following posting on Craigslist. Then she got the response (posted after) and it all seems a little fishy to me. What is this world coming to? Your thoughts? Notice that the response and ad posting lists a gmail address rather than a company email address.

The posting:
Secretary Needed - Front Desk ($14/hour) + Full Dental
Reply to: (see message body)
Date: 2008-11-05, 8:49PM
Sun Valley Mortgage, located downtown, is seeking a receptionist/secretary to answer phones, schedule meetings, run company errands, etc. You must be reliable, 18+ years of age, and good at following directions. No previous experience is necessary. We offer great pay, full dental benefits after the first 90 days, a great work environment, flexible hours, and opportunity for promotion. If you are interested, please email me at r.petersonco@gmail.com.

Compensation: $14/hour plus full dental coverage
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
Original URL:http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ofc/907569908.html

The response from the company:
From: Ryan Peterson
To:
Sent: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 9:29 pm
Subject: Re: Secretary

Hello, Thanks for the quick reply. The job is pretty straight forward. You will be answering the phone, scheduling meetings, and running company errands, but we really need someone to answer the phone. When running errands you will be provided with a company credit card. Due to bad experiences with this in the past, before we can send you an application, we need you to get a credit check. We prefer you use http://TheCreditCheckCompany.notlong.com to obtain this information. When you submit your information they will send you your credit check. When you email me your credit check I will send you your application. We have full and part time positions available. Send me your schedule and how many hours per week you plan on working. Looking forward to your response! Ryan Peterson Human Resources, Manager

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SANDRA on November 23, 2008 at 4:02pm

YES I DID THE SAME THING AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE BACK AND THOUGHT IT SOUNDED FISHY SO I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND THIS THANK GOT I DIDNT GIVE OUT MY SS

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Permalink Reply by WayCurious on February 2, 2009 at 3:14pm

Scam Alert!

1) gmail return address for HR manager w/no mention of the company name.
2) notlong.com supplies shortened web addresses. No real credit company would use them.
3) the link takes you to an unprofessional looking page that charges $35 for the credit report (they're free).
4) got the same reply from 'Julie N. Hall', HR manager for phantom company - see below

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. The job is pretty straight forward. You will be answering the phone, scheduling meetings, and running company errands, but we really need someone to answer the phone. When running
errands you will be provided with a company credit card.

Due to bad experiences with this in the past, before we can send you an application, we need you to get a credit check. We prefer you use http://TheCreditCheckCompany.notlong.com to obtain this information. When you submit your information they will send you your credit check. When you email me your credit score I will send you your application.

We have full and part time positions available. Send me your schedule and how many hours per week you plan on working. Looking forward to your response!

Julie N. Hall
Human Resources, Manager

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on February 3, 2009 at 6:10pm

Thank you to everyone who posted! I'm so glad I googled the credit check website in the email to verify if it was legit. I've never been asked or asked an applicant to perform a credit check prior to an interview. I received the same email with a different HR Manager name:

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. The job is pretty straight forward. You will be answering the phone, scheduling meetings, and running company errands, but we really need someone to answer the phone. When running errands you will be provided with a company credit card.

Due to bad experiences with this in the past, before we can send you an application, we need you to get a credit check.
We prefer you use http://TheCreditCheckCompany.notlong.com to obtain this information. When you submit your information they will send you your credit check. When you email me your credit score I will send you your application.

We have full and part time positions available. Send me your schedule and how many hours per week you plan on working. Looking forward to your response!

Steve K. Hanks
Human Resources, Manager

WayCurious said:

Scam Alert!

1) gmail return address for HR manager w/no mention of the company name.
2) notlong.com supplies shortened web addresses. No real credit company would use them.
3) the link takes you to an unprofessional looking page that charges $35 for the credit report (they're free).
4) got the same reply from 'Julie N. Hall', HR manager for phantom company - see below

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. The job is pretty straight forward. You will be answering the phone, scheduling meetings, and running company errands, but we really need someone to answer the phone. When running
errands you will be provided with a company credit card.

Due to bad experiences with this in the past, before we can send you an application, we need you to get a credit check. We prefer you use http://TheCreditCheckCompany.notlong.com to obtain this information. When you submit your information they will send you your credit check. When you email me your credit score I will send you your application.

We have full and part time positions available. Send me your schedule and how many hours per week you plan on working. Looking forward to your response!

Julie N. Hall
Human Resources, Manager