NYS Department fo Labor Warns of Employment Scams

ALBANY,NY: New York State Department of Labor has recently offered non-specific guidance in reference to online recruitment. Based on information offered by the New York State Department of Labor, they suggest that “legitimate companies are using online sites such as Facebook and Craigslist to recruit new employees.”

“Many credible businesses now use online sites such as Facebook and Craigslist to recruit new employees.”  Conducting your job search on the Internet is convenient and popular in today's job market.

However, dishonest individuals may try to draw you into an e-mail scam.  Be wary of any unwanted e-mails you may receive claiming that a company is interested in your resume.
Unfortunately, I would have to completely disagree with the guidance that the Department is offering. This advisory is vastly out of date. In many cases, now more than ever, third party staffing firms are doing an excellent job finding resumes for short-term employment opportunities and temp to hire opportunities.
Recent Email I had Received. Based on the State Definition this is “Suspicious”

Hi Brian,

I am [Recruiter’s Name], a Technical Recruiter with [Name of Recruiting Firm]
one of the fastest growing IT staffing and services firm in the nation specializing in staff augmentation for end to end Enterprise IT Solutions. I viewed your resume on one of the job boards; I understand that you may be actively looking for new opportunities. I am trying to fill up a full time position for one of our major clients. More about this role is provided below:

Google Analytics: Sr. Analyst
Location:  Hartford, CT
Full Time

If you receive an e-mail that fits any one of these criteria, chances are it is a scam. Beware if the e-mail:

• Does not greet you by name
• Is from an individual or web site you do not recognize
• Does not include information about a specific job opening.
• Offers a job that appears "too good to be true"
• Mentions vague "we have thousands of jobs" or "we work with major companies"
• Mentions seeing your resume on a site where you did not post it
• Does not say where the sender saw your resume

If I were to measure the email I received against the listed criteria above, then I would have to believe that the email I had received as a scam. Even though it identify me by name, it does not specifically mention where my resume was seen, and it briefly describes the employment but specifically where, the email also asks for followup.
In addition to the above listed guidance, additional information was offered. The simple facts of the matter is questions like “Who is running the company?”, “Other companies they have worked with”, “Where the company is located?” and Company Contact Information.” These are questions that individuals should be researching on their own to be professionally prepared for the interview. This information can be obtained from a variety of websites such as:

• Erie County Clerk’s Office (DBA Search)
• New York State Department of State Incorporation Search
• If a company is a sub-contractor, they still should have a license and insurance

Other “red-flags” that the New York State Department of Labor posts are; ‘Offers to sell you a "starter kit" or something similar’. This is simply a swipe at multi-level-marketing companies, there are a ton of these companies out there, and if they were so evil, they would be closed down. Simply put, independent contractors fly in the face of everything the New York State Department of Labor teaches. Self-reliance as opposed to having co-dependency on an employer or a welfare check dispensary organization should be rewarded not cautioned against.
Other employment that typically requires investment by employees / contractors:

• Security Guards, Nurses, Police, Taxi Drivers, News Reporters,, Cable Installers,  EMTs

The last item that the Department warns is “Mentions paying you via bank account transfers”. In most cases employers do offer direct deposit. If there is a mention of making payment prior to work being done, yes this is suspicious. Then the Department offers this vague mention “If you get involved in any of these schemes, your identity may be stolen or your bank accounts drained. You could be charged with a crime or series of crimes -- even if you participate without knowing, it is a crime.”
At a time where some employers are accepting applications and advertising, but not hiring, it is definitely knowing whom you are working with, and this means knowing whom the recruiters are in your area and knowing if the offer is legitimate or not is very important, but using vague definitions of what makes something hazardous is self-serving when the State is competing against recruiters offering employment for the new economy where workers must find second and third jobs to survive. Regular employment does not meet the traditional needs anymore
And lastly, “Limit the amount of personal information you provide to employers. No credible employer should ever ask you for bank account numbers, credit card numbers, mother's maiden name, or other identifying traits before hiring you.” It is correct that employers will not ask for credit cards, but many employers want up to ten years of employment information, and to create password recovery questions personal questions, mother’s maiden name, favorite pet’s name or first employer’s name are all questions that are asked.
Doing your homework, knowing whom you are dealing with and managing your own level of acceptable of risk is what you have to monitor and accept when searching for work.