I almost got my butt handed to me…by a “job recruiter” offering me a job I didn’t ask for. This guy’s polished offer sounded so real…he almost “got” me.
Are you looking for a job or a better job?
Of course, who isn’t…right?
Do you post your resume to the Internet job boards like Monster and Career Builder?
Of course, who isn’t…right?
Do you think you are safe to do this?
Of course, who isn’t safe…right?
Maybe you are; maybe you’re not safe!
You decide for yourself.
Not long ago, I received a call from a guy Adam who claimed to be a corporate recruiter. After introducing himself, he didn’t ask — rather he told — me he might have a perfect opportunity for me.
What happened in the next couple hours SHOULD raise the hair on the back of your head.
Click Read More now for my serious warning to you, your children, your friends & your colleagues. This might be one of those times you want to forward an email (but don’t show all your friends’ email addresses on the “To:” line. Instead, use the “Bcc:” line.
SETTING YOU UP FOR A BIG, BAD FALL….
He didn’t ask me how I’m employed or whether I’m employed.
He piqued my interest at the outset with an “opportunity,” something that grabs almost everyone’s interest today.
I let him go on about this “opportunity” for which he claimed I was perfect.
He said he had two clients looking a full-time Internet Social Marketing Director with offices in Tampa and Orlando.
The “perfect” candidate would have my skills and experience, Adam claimed:
- Communication skills (written and spoken)
- Teaching experience
- Outsourcing, i.e. Virtual Assistants, programmers, designers, etc
- Internet Marketing (esp. social marketing skills with blogs, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc)
- Setting up and running membership sites & forums
- Merchant, gateway & shopping cart integration & management
- HTML / web design
- Sales
- Newsletter creation
- Video product creation
- …on and on
I wouldn’t have to go in every day…I could work virtually with occasional face-to-face meetings.
I like real estate but it’s damn hard today with all these frustrating short sales in Florida.
So I listened.
He described what seemed like a perfect fit for me — Social Marketing Director…good starting salary range…flexible office time.
- He said he’d already been to a few of my websites (yep, he listed www.fixmyuglycredit.com/blog).
- He knew my presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, etc.
The guy was good….
He (appeared) to do his homework.
Oh yeah, he really did his homework.
“So what do you think?” he asked me.
I told him I’d like to meet in person.
“Sorry, that’s not possible,” he said. He was in New York, and my caller ID confirmed a New York number.
He told me he’d fax me the paperwork his client (my prospective employer) required.
“Okay,” I said.
I received the paperwork….no company letterhead.
Adam claimed his employer required anonymity. The paperwork on the other hand, required me to give up the farm….
Date of birth…social security number….address…..years at address….driver’s license number….EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ding, ding, ding….
My BS detector went off.
I respectfully informed and/or reminded Adam what I’ve been through (ID Theft) and what I do.
I could not provide this confidential information to a stranger.
I would be happy to provide this information once the prospective employer and I agree we’re a match for each other.
In fact, once we penciled in an agreement, I would drive to the office in Tampa at their convenience to provide whatever information to HR.
Adam hung up on me.
Did I offend Adam, the corporate recruiter? Did I miss mess up an opportunity?
NO, I did NOT destroy an opportunity. I was played. I am 100% certain Adam was a polished front man or an actual (ID) thief.
Absolutely. No doubt in my mind.
Here’s why: Later that day, I called the number back. No answer. No voicemail.
I kept calling a few times a day for a couple days until….
…until I received a familiar recording: “I’m sorry, the number you are dialing is not in service any longer.
If you feel you have reached this recording in error…..”
Adam wanted to DESTROY my life….
Do I even need to mention the moral of this story? Damn, I hope I was crystal clear.
7 MILLION people unemployed in last couple years. LOTS of despair and desperation. Do NOT let down your guard.
Rules To Follow:
- Beware someone asking for your personal information.
- Don’t get too excited about an “opportunity.”
- Don’t get embarrassed about being cautious. If a REAL recruiter and/or potential employer cannot understand your caution, then SCREW THEM. They’re idiots if they can’t understand this serious precaution.
Identity Theft thieves always strike when you least expect. What’s different b/t a kidnapper/sex offender and an ID Theft? Both lure us in with happy talk. Gain our trust, causing us to let our guard down. During unrest, scammers swarm, looking for eas(ier) victims. Now it’s your turn. What experience or question do you have about this crime continuing to explode? Please leave a comment below. Tell me about an experience you or someone you know has had. Anything similar to this one?
Welcome back! Got a question for me...or an experience to share? Please go to the bottom of this article to ask a question or share an experience. :) Thank you!
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http://www.fixmyuglycredit.com has become a favorite sunday point for me
Thank you for sharing the information and for all the hard work you’re doing to reduce identity theft.