Employment Scams

[MrJim]

For those of you looking for work, fair warning, there are MANY scams going around these days. Not just your typical Ponzai, pyramid, etcs., there are also more complex (and common) schemes out there looking to take advantage of the downturn. Watch out for these:


ANYTHING listed on your local workforce commission's website. First thing you should notice is that the 'rate of pay' is unusually unlisted. This means you're probably working on commission only. Do your research - the company you are planning on applying for may be up to no good (i.e. free labor with deceptive payment schemes)
NEVER pay anyone a dime for employment. I don't know this one from experience, just common sense. But I have seen a great deal of people lose a considerable amount of money from 'professionals' promising to turn their 'meager' money into a fortune.
If you receive a money order of any kind whose premise is to take your 'salary' portion and wire money to someone else, it's more than likely a rip-off. My bullshit detector went off on one company which did so (they promised that an 'agent' would set up a home office for me). Take it to the post office, and they'll tell you for sure. It's all in the watermarks - Ben Franklin to the left and an eagle to the right. Had I cashed this fraudulent money order, I would be on the hook for huge fees from the bank. NEVER cash a money order without a visit to the Post Office.
The scams are mostly rampant on sites like craigslist, Careerbuilder, Monster, and the workforce commission sites. Your best bet (though it may discouraging with a lot of 'no's or lack or correspondence) is to show up and deliver your resume in person. If you like on-line leads (I do), always make sure you see a person. Even if the posting is legitimate, on-line applications and resumes suck.

There, enough venting. I'll be ready to start again Friday. Just wanted to share a little info with you guys, I know it's rough out there.

[Hammerhead]

Good advice Jimbo as usual
and from someone who has been looking like you. I have ran across
these schemes also
these people are looking to make a quick buck off of people
who are becoming desperate and may not be thinking clearly
because they see their kids eating peanut butter and jelly
for their three meals a day
they are scum

[MrJim]

Good advice Jimbo as usual
and from someone who has been looking like you. I have ran across
these schemes also
these people are looking to make a quick buck off of people
who are becoming desperate and may not be thinking clearly
because they see their kids eating peanut butter and jelly
for their three meals a day
they are scum

You said it, dude. For every crisis there is a handful of opportunitists... usually I say, hey, good for you for making good out of the bad, but not when we are victimizing the desparate. I have seen the desparate give from the bottoms of their hearts in search of a way to support their family... it's not pretty.

Just giving a little piece of advice... if you're desparate, you have a bullseye on your head; the crooks are having their festival right now... watch out for them... ;)