Is this email a scam?

100% scam.

There is no job.

There is only a scammer trying to get you to sign up for some credit reporting site using the affiliate link he provided. He only wanted the commission he would receive for getting people to sign up under him. He did not send a virus or trojan or anything like that. Notice how the link has a set of numbers at the end? That is his affiliate ID number.

After you had signed up for the credit site using the affiliate link, the next email from that scammer would have said something like: "sorry, the job is filled".

Now that you have responded to a scammer, you are on his 'potential sucker' list, he will try again to separate you from your cash. He will send you more emails from his other free email addresses using another of his fake names with all kinds of stories of great jobs, lottery winnings, millions in the bank and desperate, lonely, sexy singles. He will sell you email address to all his scamming buddies who will also send you dozens of fake emails all with the exact same goal, you sending them your cash via Western Union or signing up at a site using the given affiliate link.

As you know, whenever suspicious or just plain curious, google everything, website addresses, names used, companies mentioned, phone numbers given, all email addresses, even sentences from the emails as you might be unpleasantly surprised at what you find already posted online. You can also post/ask here and every scam-warner-anti-fraud-busting site you can find before taking a chance and losing money to a scammer.

6 "Rules to follow" to avoid most fake jobs:

1) Job asks to use your personal bank account and/or open a new one.

2) Job asks you to print/mail/cash a check or money order.

3) Job asks you to use Western Union or moneygram in any capacity.

4) Job asks you to accept packages and re-ship them on to anyone.

5) Job asks you to pay for visas, travel fees via Western Union or moneygram.

6) Job asks you to sign up for a credit reporting or identity verification site.

Avoiding all jobs that mention any of the above listed 'red flags' and you will miss nearly all fake jobs. Only scammers ask you to do any of the above. No. Exceptions. Ever. For any reason.

All the other answers are pretty good and they are right: it's a scam.

There is one important piece of missing information though -- did you apply for a job with this company? Since the message you shared doesn't even identify the company, either you left that info off or more likely they never volunteered it. An employer would never offer you a job via an email, especially without telling you who they are.

However, some of the people who answered your question are wrong about one important thing. Some employers do consider your credit history before offering you a job. They have to get your consent to check your credit, and they won't do it by sending you a cheesy scam email, but this is a legitimate (and in most places, at least in the US legal) hiring practice.

It's a SCAM and that is NOT a legitimate credit score site. Unless you are getting a credit report from one of the three credit bureaus - Equifax, TransUnion or Experian - or through annualcreditreport.com do not EVER contact any other company

Criminal gangs like the Russian mafia have been setting up fake credit reportng sites that only exist to steal your identity

The FTC has issued a warning about this exact scam

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/al...

"Fake Credit Report Sites: Cashing in on Your Personal Information

You may have seen Web sites or received unsolicited email offering credit reports, sometimes for free. Be aware that some of these online operators may not actually provide credit reports, but may be using these sites as a way to capture your personal information. From there, they may sell your information to others who may use it commit fraud, including identity theft.

This is a variation on "phishing," also called "carding," a high-tech scam that uses spam or fraudulent Web sites to deceive consumers into disclosing their credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information."

If you want more proof this is a scam and there is NO job, write back to say that you have a TransUnion credit report that you will BRING with you to the interview. Any legitimate employer would accept this. If they won't or they don't respond then you know the entire thing has just been a scam to get you to enter personal details - full name, birthdate, social security card, bank info, credit card info, etc - into a site that exists only to steal your identity

You're right, it is strange to want a credit score. And when you consider the emphasis on "free", it starts to look a lot like an advertisement, doesn't it?

My gut says this is an elaborate and deceptive advertising ploy to direct customers to that credit score website.

Also, consider this other information:

-My web broswer security has prevented me from opening that website, as it has been marked "suspicious"

-No real company would ever tell you how you stack up against other applicants

SCAM. People don't get hired for real jobs by email. Also if an employer needs your credit score, THEY will pull the information, not have you provide it.

If you fall for this, I have some ocean front property in Arizona that I would sell you cheap.

YES it IS a scam, they want you to be directed to a site where you pay for a credit score or even worse, give up all you info. FIRST sign,

Dear Candidate, (no name)

100% SCAM

There is no job. It is a scam to get you to pay for a credit score.

Try and call them. Employers look at your credit score because it is a reflection of your reliability. If you are responsible, you have a high credit score cause you pay on time

it's a scam, all they want is your personal info, don't do it.

NO, this is total B.S.

Do not do it.