877-403-4404

IN BRIEF:

Scam … Stay away from this company called CAREER NETWORK

THE DETAILS:

I received a cell phone text message from 56030 saying, "Hi Edward C------, call me about the Clerical Assistant job you have applied for at 8774034404. (txt STOP to cancel).

I had indeed applied for a Clerical Assistant position with a company called A2Z Placement via Yahoo Hot Jobs, three days earlier. I was a bit suspicious, though, about and anonymous text message at 7am in the morning. Why wouldn’t a prospective employer just call?

I first checked to make sure 877 was not one of those area codes in Uganda or the Cayman Islands that charges you like a gazillion dollars just for dialing a number. I found nothing on Snopes.com or RipoffReport.com but I googled “area code 877” and learned that it is indeed a toll-free number. So I called.

A very polite female answered the phone and thanked me for calling “Career Network, a pre-screening and applicant qualifying agency for employers.” She began by asking for my primary phone number so that she could access my application. I gave it to her and during the pause while waiting for my records to appear on her screen I ask if she was with A2Z Placement. She told me she was with Career Network but that they pre-screen applicants for thousands of companies.

She explained to me that process by which she would interview me by phone, verify my qualifications for this position and then, if she “likes me” would forward my application to her employer for “further review and consideration”. While she was giving me this obviously scripted speech, I googled “Career Network”. SURPRISE … I got 28,300,000 search result listings and as I scrolled down they all said SCAM, FRAUD, BOGUS.

It was still early in the day and I had a full pot of coffee so I decided to have a little fun.

There is nothing a scam telemarketer hates more than wasting their time on the phone and making no progress. So, every time she opened her mouth to ask me a question I beat her to the punch by asking a question of my own. Every now and then I would let her ask a question which I would answer with a question. After all, she was just asking me questions to which she had the answers right there on my application and resume.

This person must have been a real idiot because she let this go on for a full ten minutes. I could tell by the tone in her voice that she was getting frustrated and realizing that I was stringing her along so I finally ask the question, “Can you explain why your company has over 25 million internet references that include such words as scam, fraud, bogus, and rip-off?”

There was a brief moment of silence on the line followed by a hushed sigh from her … then the line went dead. I still don't know if they were trying to sell me something or sign me up for college classes or what but they obviously do NOT offer legitimate "traditional employment" opportunity.

I received a call from this toll free number as well. I however did answer the questions. After suspicion I did a toll free search on this # and reviewed this blog. I called back and  I spoke with a lady by the name of Mary from Career Networks and asked questions to validate the authenticity/nature of the call. At this time in such an economic decline it is imperative to get Americans back to work. I'll report back the progress (if any) to verify if this indeed is a scam scenario. THanks and best of luck to all of you job seekers! Let's get America Back To Work!!!!!
 
                                                                       A.S.