“Dream” Job Only a Dream?
It sounds like the perfect job. You’ve been job hunting for quite a while, but recently you came across an advertisement in your local newspaper for a great position aboard a cruise ship. You called the number provided and, after faxing your application or resume and participating in a brief telephone interview, you’ve been told you have the position.
You’re sure that the offer is legitimate. After all, it was publicized in a reputable newspaper. The person on the phone sounded very professional and asked all the right questions. They even talked about pay and benefits. Surely this is the opportunity of a lifetime. All you have to do is wire a few hundred dollars to purchase your uniform and shoes.
Unfortunately, once the money has been wired, you find that the employment agency no longer returns your calls. You may even find that the phone number has been disconnected with no forwarding information left. When you contact the cruise line directly, you find that the company has never heard of the agency you spoke to and your dream job aboard the cruise ship does not exist. You’ve been the victim of a job scam.
Job scams
Anyone who has ever hunted for a job can tell you that it is often a long and frustrating process.
Sometimes looking for work can seem to take more effort than working itself. That’s why consumers are so likely to jump at the opportunity when the “perfect job” comes along. Unfortunately, less than scrupulous individuals have come up with a way to take advantage of those seeking employment.
Job scams may vary. The “cruise ship” scam has appeared frequently, but this scam could apply to any type of job. The key is this; scam artists will always require some type of payment before employment can take place. It might be for uniforms or shoes. It could be an application fee or a fee for a security screening.
When the job of a lifetime comes along, it’s only natural to want to take every possible step to quickly secure the position. But when asked to provide funds in advance, you should always take the time to do some homework and make sure the person or agency you are dealing with is legitimate. Below are a few ideas for avoiding a job scam:
Always use caution when some type of payment is required in advance of employment. Most legitimate employers will not require advance payments for things like uniforms.
Remember that Western Union advises against using money transfer when doing business with strangers or with someone whose identity you cannot absolutely verify.
When dealing with an unfamiliar agency or company, take a moment to contact your Better Business Bureau to determine if the company is legitimate or if there have been recent complaints. A quick phone call may be all it takes to save your hard-earned money.
If you have been the victim of a job scam, you should take a moment to advise both law enforcement and the newspaper that printed the employment advertisement. Doing so may not only help to catch a fraudster, but it may also prevent another unsuspecting individual from falling prey to such a scam.
Western Union takes the issue of consumer fraud very seriously. We value our consumers and know they work hard for their money. When consumers lose by becoming the victim of fraud,
