Philippine agency provides tips on avoiding job scams

Manila: With the increasing popularity of the internet as a means to connect with people and access information, the chances of people getting scammed by fraudulent job openings and offers similarly increase.

Hans Leo Cacdac, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said more applicants now use the Internet to find jobs and with the popularity of Internet-ready gadgets, and job search and social networking websites, and thus, these people are easy prey to illegal recruiters and job scammers.

He said office has long been receiving queries and complaints about unsolicited e-mails, websites, and other job advertisements that offer employment overseas which were found to be fake.

“As modus operandi, these unscrupulous persons would build bogus company websites or blogs, advertise in legitimate online job search companies, send mass emails, or enter discussion boards or forums that are frequented by overseas Filipino,” he said.

In order for Filipinos from falling victims to these fraudulent schemes, the POEA has come up with tips on how to avoid such scams.

He said the following are strong indications of a website is a fake and is bent only on defrauding a job applicant:

-The website is crudely made with incomplete links and information about the company

-Applicants are asked to send resume and application through postal mail or

drop boxes

-The e-mail address used has nothing to do with the real company

-The job offer received through e-mail is unsolicited

- Mistakes in English grammar and spelling in the website or e-mail

- Applicants are asked to pay in advance through a courier or remittance company supposedly for training, work permit, and other travel documents

- Money-back guarantee offer

- The salary and other benefits such as free food and accommodation are toogood-to-be- true

-Applicants are asked to send details of bank or credit card account.