OFW guide: How to avoid job scams
One of the worst things that can happen to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) is to fall prey to scammers who offer fake jobs abroad.
Scammers use several tactics to lure their victims — from offering them ridiculously high-paying job offers to asking them to pay for job leads.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) website describes the usual tactics used by job scammers and how to avoid falling for them.
Usual types of job scams
(1) Advanced fees
“These operations usually advertise in newspapers and magazines. The ads most frequently offer construction jobs, one of the industries hardest hit by a weak economy.,” the POEA said.
The firm will inform the applicant that there are immediate openings available which suits their skill set to entice them further.
However, the firm will ask for a placement fee in advance even before anything materializes from their “services.”
(2) Charging for a job lead
A firm may invent a list of job leads where you can supposedly apply even if they don't exist.
The firm will then ask for a fee for the service they rendered in procuring the job lead for you.
There may even be times that a person posing as a potential employer will be brought in to make the applicant believe that paying the fee is worth it when in fact it is just a scam.
(3) Calling 900 numbers
Some job listings may require you to call 900 numbers to get more information about the job.
At times, it may even state that you have to call the 900 number as a requirement to be considered for the job listed.
In this case you will be forced to comply and some operators will use delaying tactics on you to increase the call fee which they will not disclose to you during the beginning of the conversation.
(4) Job listing services
“There are many firms that make no promises to place you in a job. They merely sell a list of job opportunities, providing little assurance about the accuracy of the information,” the POEA said.
The problem with job listing service scams is that these lists were not properly verified. Some may even be fabricated just for the sake of creating a job listing.
Although some of these jobs may be legitimate, requirements and locations may not match the applicant's skill set.
Tips to avoid being scammed
The POEA also compiled a list of tips on how to avoid being scammed when seeking a job.
(1) Rely on references
Request for names of companies and people that they have employed so far using the firm's service. It would also be helpful to get their contact numbers.
If the firm refuses to give these or makes an excuse, you should be doubtful. A firm which isn't hiding anything should be able to give out these information easily their clients.
(2) Research
To protect yourself, you have to prepare yourself by doing basic research about the job you are applying for the company you intend to work for.
Find out if there have been cases filed against the firm by getting in touch with the Business Bureau or a local protection agency.
It's better to take these extra steps as a precaution rather than come back home crying after being scammed.
(3) Beware of mail or phone-only firms
There is nothing more fishy than a firm promising you the perfect job and a high-salary but demands you to pay up for fees without you meeting them in a physical location.
A reputable firm will never have you transact via mail or phone only and will have proper customer service agents to service your needs.
(4) Check tenure
It is important to find out how long the firm you are getting services from has been in business.
Although it's not a guarantee that longer established firms will not scam you, at least you will reduce the chances of being scammed as fake firms usually are the newer ones.
(5) Get transactions inked
“Before you pay for anything, request and obtain a written contract that describes the services the firm intends to provide,” the POEA said.
Doing so gives them accountability for the actual services that they will provide for you.
(6) Do more research
If the firm gives you information on any service they provide then it would be wise to do additional research on it.
Committing to something that you know almost nothing about is reckless and will most likely end up in you being scammed.
(7) Check the location
If you are offered a job at another country through a job listing, check first the country where the job is listed.
There are some countries where Filipinos are banned to work in so make sure that you are eligible to work there.
(8) Ask for refund terms
Know the refund policies of the firm, if any.
Make sure that all of these are in writing and not only done verbally.
“For example, one common scam is to include a requirement that job seekers check in regularly with the firm, at their own expense. Clients who unwittingly fail to make the required contact may forfeit their opportunity for a refund. However, they are not told this until they ask for the refund,” the POEA said. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
Scammers use several tactics to lure their victims — from offering them ridiculously high-paying job offers to asking them to pay for job leads.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) website describes the usual tactics used by job scammers and how to avoid falling for them.
Usual types of job scams
(1) Advanced fees
“These operations usually advertise in newspapers and magazines. The ads most frequently offer construction jobs, one of the industries hardest hit by a weak economy.,” the POEA said.
The firm will inform the applicant that there are immediate openings available which suits their skill set to entice them further.
However, the firm will ask for a placement fee in advance even before anything materializes from their “services.”
(2) Charging for a job lead
A firm may invent a list of job leads where you can supposedly apply even if they don't exist.
The firm will then ask for a fee for the service they rendered in procuring the job lead for you.
There may even be times that a person posing as a potential employer will be brought in to make the applicant believe that paying the fee is worth it when in fact it is just a scam.
(3) Calling 900 numbers
Some job listings may require you to call 900 numbers to get more information about the job.
At times, it may even state that you have to call the 900 number as a requirement to be considered for the job listed.
In this case you will be forced to comply and some operators will use delaying tactics on you to increase the call fee which they will not disclose to you during the beginning of the conversation.
(4) Job listing services
“There are many firms that make no promises to place you in a job. They merely sell a list of job opportunities, providing little assurance about the accuracy of the information,” the POEA said.
The problem with job listing service scams is that these lists were not properly verified. Some may even be fabricated just for the sake of creating a job listing.
Although some of these jobs may be legitimate, requirements and locations may not match the applicant's skill set.
Tips to avoid being scammed
The POEA also compiled a list of tips on how to avoid being scammed when seeking a job.
(1) Rely on references
Request for names of companies and people that they have employed so far using the firm's service. It would also be helpful to get their contact numbers.
If the firm refuses to give these or makes an excuse, you should be doubtful. A firm which isn't hiding anything should be able to give out these information easily their clients.
(2) Research
To protect yourself, you have to prepare yourself by doing basic research about the job you are applying for the company you intend to work for.
Find out if there have been cases filed against the firm by getting in touch with the Business Bureau or a local protection agency.
It's better to take these extra steps as a precaution rather than come back home crying after being scammed.
(3) Beware of mail or phone-only firms
There is nothing more fishy than a firm promising you the perfect job and a high-salary but demands you to pay up for fees without you meeting them in a physical location.
A reputable firm will never have you transact via mail or phone only and will have proper customer service agents to service your needs.
(4) Check tenure
It is important to find out how long the firm you are getting services from has been in business.
Although it's not a guarantee that longer established firms will not scam you, at least you will reduce the chances of being scammed as fake firms usually are the newer ones.
(5) Get transactions inked
“Before you pay for anything, request and obtain a written contract that describes the services the firm intends to provide,” the POEA said.
Doing so gives them accountability for the actual services that they will provide for you.
(6) Do more research
If the firm gives you information on any service they provide then it would be wise to do additional research on it.
Committing to something that you know almost nothing about is reckless and will most likely end up in you being scammed.
(7) Check the location
If you are offered a job at another country through a job listing, check first the country where the job is listed.
There are some countries where Filipinos are banned to work in so make sure that you are eligible to work there.
(8) Ask for refund terms
Know the refund policies of the firm, if any.
Make sure that all of these are in writing and not only done verbally.
“For example, one common scam is to include a requirement that job seekers check in regularly with the firm, at their own expense. Clients who unwittingly fail to make the required contact may forfeit their opportunity for a refund. However, they are not told this until they ask for the refund,” the POEA said. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
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