How to protect yourself from scams
According to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, you can protect yourself against employment scams by using common sense, and following a few basic rules.
1. You should ask for references.
2. Check them out in the state they list as an address.
3. Get everything in writing.
4. Forget about companies with no legitimate street address.
5. Be very skeptical of overseas employment opportunities that sound “too good to be true.”
6. Never send cash in the mail, and be extremely cautious with firms that require a money order. This could indicate that the firm is attempting to avoid a traceable record of its transactions.
7. Do not be fooled by official-sounding names. Many scam artists operate under names that sound like those of long-standing, reputable firms.
8. Avoid working with firms that require payment in advance.
9. Do not give your credit card or bank account number to telephone solicitors.
10. Read the contract very carefully. Have an attorney look over any documents you are asked to sign.
11. Beware of an agency that is unwilling to give you a written contract.
12. Do not hesitate to ask questions. You have a right to know what services to expect and the costs involved.
13. Do not make a hasty decision. Instead, take time to weigh all the pros and cons of the situation. Be wary of demands that “you must act now.”
14. Keep a copy of all agreements you sign, as well as copies of checks you forward to the company.
Be sure to check out the companion to this article: Details of an Overseas Jobs Scam
Overseas Contracting Companies Reporting Job Scams Involving Their Name
AECOM
Warning – Possible Employment Fraud
It has come to our attention that various individuals and organizations are contacting people interested in working for AECOM and offering false employment opportunities. These people or organizations are trying to fraudulently obtain money or personal data from you. As a company that prides itself on acting ethically and with integrity, we are taking this matter very seriously and have taken steps to stop these fraudulent schemes.
If you are contacted by someone who you suspect may not be appropriately representing AECOM, please contact AGRSissues@aecom.com immediately.
AMK9
http://amk9.com/careers
RECRUITING SCAM ADVISORY
American K-9 Detections Services, LLC (“AMK9”) has become aware of an unauthorized individual falsely using the AMK9 name and trademark in an attempt to solicit fees from potential South African job seekers. This individual is soliciting money, requesting visa application information, creating fraudulent handouts, and promising placement with AMK9.
Please note any communication requesting any amount of money in exchange for employment with American K-9 Detection Services, LLC or AMK9 is fraudulent and false. These communications do not originate from AMK9 and are not associated with the AMK9 recruiting department or recruitment process. AMK9 never charges candidates fees or payments of any kind in order to secure employment. As a precaution, we recommend you do not disclose personal or financial details to anyone as a response to an unsolicited e-mail request. AMK9 will also never ask for a placement fee or any other fee to expedite the hiring process. If you are contacted by anyone offering employment with AMK9, you should never be asked to pay a fee for recruiting or a position.
AMK9 personnel will always send e-mail from an identifiable corporate account (amk9.com) and never from a public email account, including, but not limited to, Yahoo!™, Gmail™, Google™, or Hotmail™. If you are contacted regarding a fraudulent employment proposal, we encourage you to alert your local law enforcement agency/police authority and AMK9 at Info@AMK9.com.
DYNCORP RECRUITING SCAM ADVISORY
DynCorp International has become aware of unauthorized individuals who are falsely using the DynCorp International name and/or logo in an attempt to solicit fees from potential job seekers. These deceptive and unauthorized individuals are soliciting money, promising placement in a position with DynCorp International.
Please note any communication requesting any amount of money in exchange for employment with DynCorp International is fraudulent. These communications do not originate from DynCorp International and are not associated with the recruitment process.
DynCorp International and its affiliates never charge candidates fees or payments of any kind in order to secure employment. As a precaution, we recommend you do not disclose personal or financial details to anyone as a response to an unsolicited e-mail request.
DynCorp International will never ask for a placement fee or any other fee to expedite the hiring process. If you are contacted by anyone offering employment with DynCorp International, you should never be asked to pay a fee for recruiting.
DynCorp International personnel will always send e-mail from an identifiable corporate account and never from a public email account, such as Yahoo!™, Gmail™, Google™, or Hotmail™.
If you are contacted regarding a fraudulent employment proposal, we encourage you to alert your local law enforcement agency/police authority.
FLUOR
Fluor has been notified of fraudulent employment offers being made, via email and otherwise, to prospective candidates.
These fraudulent offers instruct prospective candidates to provide detailed passport and security clearance information, and/or to pay application and processing fees.
These are FRAUDULENT communications.
Fluor does NOT require any payment or fees from prospective candidates.
Do not provide any personal / financial information whatsoever, or make any payments requested by any email or other communication requesting such data to secure employment with Fluor or any of its subsidiaries.
If you receive such a message, you are advised to contact your local law enforcement agency and provide any details you may have. You may also forward the messages to corporate.security@fluor.com.
If you are interested in employment with Fluor, please visit www.fluorjobs.com.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF PROJECT SERVICES
WARNING – CONFIDENCE SCHEMES AND SCAMS REGARDING UN EMPLOYMENT
The United Nations Office for Project Services—UNOPS—is aware of various schemes, some of them initiated in correspondence, others initiated in person, some circulated via e-mails, others from web sites, or sent via regular mail or fax, falsely claiming to be issued by or associated with the United Nations.
These schemes may seek to extract money and in some cases personal details from the recipients of such correspondence. All such schemes are fraudulent.
The schemes consist of letters, sent either via e-mail, fax, regular mail, or from web sites, which appear as various proposals from people purporting to be officials of the United Nations, its Funds and Programmes, and other United Nations entities. The correspondence and other documents, e-mail addresses and web sites may be made to look like they originate with the United Nations. For example, they may contain official-looking United Nations stationery, including the United Nations emblem or name, or some variation thereof, and e-mail or web site addresses, including either or both of the words “United Nations” or some similar name, or the name of a real United Nations entity or fictitious one.
The schemes, which have no connection whatsoever with the United Nations or the United Nations System of organizations, take many forms. New schemes are appearing with increasing frequency.