Consumer Traps & Tips # 42 - Employment Scams

For immediate release: September 14, 2009
Contact: Dennis Moore, 561-712-6600 • PBC Consumer Affairs Division

Trap

Ed from Lake Worth saw an ad in the newspaper for a job in corporate finance.  He faxed his detailed resume and personal information as requested to the 800 number.  He received a call almost immediately from a woman who said her company works with many businesses to find employees to fill their positions.  He was told the fee was $495 but would be refundable if he found a job on his own or was dissatisfied with their efforts.   Ed wired the money but never got any interviews and now cannot reach the company.

Tips

• Be skeptical of any employment service firm that charges first, even if it guarantees a refund.  Obtain a copy of the firm’s contract, and read it carefully before sending any money.
• Avoid grand, unsupported claims.  “We work with major companies” or “We have thousands of jobs” are red flags. 
• Beware of ads guaranteeing employment or offering too-good-to-be-true salaries with no experience necessary.
• Limit personal information on your resume.  Do not provide your Social Security number, driver’s license number or financial information before a face to face interview and job offer. (Crooks post fake job ads and use personal information to steal money or the identity of the unemployed.)

Free and low-cost resources available for your job search:

• All federal government jobs are on http://www.usajobs.gov.
• Federally funded and state-operated Public Employment Service (also known as Job Service) provides Internet access to America’s Job Bank (AJB).  They post vacancies and offer counseling and referrals to other job resources (http://www.ajb.dni.us).
• Local libraries can direct you to information on writing a resume, interviewing or compiling a list of companies to contact.
• These agencies provide more information to avoid employment scams: Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov); Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (http://www. privacyrights.org); and World Privacy Forum (http://worldprivacyforum.org).

For more information, contact the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362) or check out company consumer complaints at: http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer.