Wisconsin’s most popular scam-buster warns us about companies that make promises, take your money, and don’t deliver. Questionable job search firms are classic, says Glen Loyd, consumer advocate, and he’s been seeing this sort of thing for about 30 years.
“Often before you pay any money they claim that, you know, you’re going to get a job making so much money a year. They almost guarantee it. And then after you pay your money many people find that they can’t get a job.”
Loyd, who writes a weekly consumer protection blog, says in current poor economic times, many people are desperate to find a job. Scammers take advantage of those vulnerabilities.
As an investigative reporter, Loyd had found that con artists will set up shop, operate for a year or so, collect up-front fees of up to $10,000 from scores of job-seekers, and suddenly pack up and move on.
“In fact I showed up at one office one time when the coffee pot was still hot but the company had left the building for good.”
Loyd emphasizes that not all job search companies are scams, but he says a legitimate company should get paid based upon its success rate — after they find you a job. Loyd says some firms might start with good intentions, but simply aren’t very good. His advice?
“You know, whatever you do, don’t pay money for a job.” He says, “Check with the Better Business Bureau, and ask what their success rate is.”