The CBS News Early Show features a really good video warning job seekers about employment scams. I strongly recommend watching the video, since it is short, informative, and very helpful.
Experts advise job seekers to:
- Do an online search using the website address for any company name you are unfamiliar with before visiting the site; especially work-at-home offers. This could turn up links to company reviews or complaints at places like the Better Business Bureau or your state's consumer protection agency.
- If a potential employer or recruiter asks you early in the job application process about a credit check, to enter your Social Security number in an online application form, or to pay a fee -- look elsewhere. Chances are, it could be a phishing scam to uncover your bank account information. You shouldn't disclose your SSN unless a job offer is eminent.
- Learn how to spot phishing scams. They now circulate on Facebook and Twitter
WOW, I am so glad I watched this video. I live in CALGARY ALBERTA and recently responded to an add that I have seen in all our local papers for CHRISTIE TALENT AGENCY. In the add they proffess to be looking for actors and set extras for movies. I went to an "interview" where they told me what shows/movies I would be working on. They explained they would deduct 15% from any job I landed in order to pay a "management fee" and that I would make a whole $4.00/mos "just for being on their web site!"(and yes, it was said with an enthusiasm deserving of an exclaimation point) . This isn't what set of the red flags though, it was after the interview ended, they asked me for a one-time fee of $170 and this was to pay for them to promote me and send my "portfolio" out to interested employers, which was nothing more than a printout of my picture and info off of a computer. They informed me this had to be paid before they could hire me. I don't know about you, but any job that wants ME to pay THEM for ANYTHING seems like a fraud to me!
Posted by: Concerned in Calgary | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 02:52 PM
christi talent are a bunch of greasy scam artists. there is a reason they change there name and address regularly. it is to avoid their terrible reputation preying on peoples trust and lacking any integrity whatsoever
Posted by: Ken Shaw | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 12:26 AM
DO NOT FALL FOR CHRISTI TALENT!!! THE BLONDE SCAMARTIST WITH HER ACCOMPLICE LEE OWN THE SCAMMING COMPANY. They make it seem so real how you go to photoshoots and will end up costing you few hundreds ! but if you dont pay they will not allow you to move forward. they dont tell you before hand that it will cost over a couple grand to even get a "position" which is probably fake anyways. I DONT KNOW ANYONE THAT EVER GOT A JOB FROM THEM!!! this is how it works. they encourage you that you would be right for the position because we have many new movies coming out or that your face is right for the cameras whatever it takes to sweettalk you into it. then they say it till only cost 200.00 to start up a profile for you. once you have paid that. they then convince you they also need you to take classes and that will cost another few hundred. once you have already taken those classes you are convinced you are probably on the right track and half way to stardom. BUT NOPE! they tell you, you also need to take photoshoots to retain some photos for auditions which will cost you around 800 dollars! THEY WILL TELL YOU IF YOU DONT HAVE THESE PHOTOSHOOTS, THEN YOU CANNOT AUDITION FOR ANYTHING! but since you already put out money in the beginning, you either continue being scammed or just forfeit the money. Ive been scammed by them and i stopped right after the photos because i forked out a total of 2000.00 for nothing! NO JOBS whatsoever and even after th photos they ask for more money which i believe is a scam.
Posted by: Girl | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 02:27 AM
Mystery shop is a scam as well! I WORK AT A BANK AND HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MANY CUSTOMERS COMING IN WITH DRADULENT ACCOUNTS DUE TO A CHEQUE COUNCING FROM THEIR ACCOUNT WHICH THEY HAVE WITHDRAWN MONEY FROM AND TRANSFERED THAT MONEY TO THAT UNKNOWN [PERSON THEY HAVE NEVER MET BEFORE. and it all reports back to the customer saying this money order was from msystery shop! so be aware!
Posted by: Girl2 | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 02:36 AM
I was also scammed by Cristi Talent in Winnipeg. Paid the $100 (they said they would take $70 off my first cheque). This was several months ago. Was not offered a SINGLE extra job. Wish i had read these reviews first.
Posted by: annonymous | Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Don't turn your back on christi for a second. there is a reason they change their address and now their name (now creative talent) regularly they are crooks. Me, my friend and countless others have plopped way to much money into this scam.
Posted by: Josh Carrel | Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 08:06 AM