Is this a scam?

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Master Baiter Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 113

My brother-in-law has been offered a "job" by the following company

www.jobs-for-drivers.co.uk

This is a self employed position, working as a courier. They pay �21 odd an hour to pick up parcels and deliver them within guaranteed timescales.

It seems dodgy as hell to me.

They have told him that before he can be given any work, he has to complete "identity verification" and have recommended the following website and their Category C check at a cost of �49.65:

Quote:

3.Category C: Self Employed Autonomous Check.

This check consists primarily of previous and current address verification in addition to identity verification. However the major plus point of this service is that it will be carried out every two months for a 12 month period giving maximum cover and total confidence to the contractor and whichever Companies utilize their service, i.e the self employed contractor will remain a known quantity throughout the 12 month period.

* Current address verification
* Previous address verification
* Identity verification
* Bi- Monthly check carried out for twelve month period.

http://www.comprefsvcs.org

1) Should he have to pay for this service? Surely if the company want to verify his ID then they should pay for it themselves
2) Why carry out the check 6 times in 12 months? His identity will not change, nor will his previous address.

There is no guarantee of the frequency of the work.

www.jobs-for-drivers.co.uk was registered for 2 years on 2nd Jan 07

www.comprefsvcs.org was registered on 5th Jan 07 again for 2 years

Opinions please?

Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:49 pm

Of course it's a scam. I hope your brother in law hasn't send any money.

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11857 Location: UK

That site is advertised all over gumtree.com and it's actually listed as a sponsored Google ad Shocked

, for example, see the link at the bottom of this page on Gumtree :

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:atiU05xy-RsJ:www.gumtree.com
/jobs/volunteer_work/+jobs-for-drivers.co.uk&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=opera

Split link for screen blow-out. drwho

Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:22 pm

Not only that, but there doesn't seem to be a Margaret Road at that postcode, only a Margaret Street (and there are plenty of hits for 29/30 Margaret St, but not for jobs for drivers).

And the Complete referencing services site is registered with a mobile no.

Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:35 pm

Tell him to tell the 'employer' that he has elected to use an identity verification service of his own choosing. If they balk at this then you know its advance fee fraud.

Master Baiter Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 113

Thanks guys,

Of course, I knew it was a scam - I just needed to put some other opinions in front of the Brother-in-Law as he didn't take my word for it.

He is now convinced that he would never see his �50 again and would never actually get any work.

I've reported the site to Trading Standards who have promised to investigate.

Thanks again