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Original poster

Job offer - scam/legitimate??

16 replies

Shavaa93 · 22/09/2023 11:52

Hi everyone, I’m slightly panicking and needing opinions.

I applied for a maternity support worker role recently, which I forgot all about and brushed off as it states you need to be available for various shifts (mornings, evenings, nights etc). I have children so this wasn’t practical for me.

I have just received a phone call randomly from a healthcare recruitment company about my application and the lady interviewed me over the phone. It was quite basic questions, tell me about yourself/why do you want to do this role etc. she said I am a great fit and has offered it.

she stated before I begin the role I just have a dbs check and cpr training certificate - which she then said is being done virtually and I could do it next Tuesday or Friday online. She took a deposit of £75 for the training and said the rest would be due later.

i received the receipt and confirmation email with information about the role and training. Once that training has been done (it’s 1 day) and my dbs comes back then I can start immediately.

she told me that I can choose part time or full time and I can also choose what shifts I’d like as they are flexible, so I can choose to only work day shifts if I want to.

I am now extremely panicking that I have been scammed. This sounds too good to be true, a random interview over the phone with no prior notice? A healthcare recruitment company? I can choose to only work days?

please give me your advice! I don’t want to pay for the rest of the training and do it and then it’s not legitimate

OP posts:
Original poster
Shavaa93 · 22/09/2023 11:56

I should also add - £17 per hour? Full time is 35 hours a week… that would be over a £28k salary. When I look online nhs states maternity support workers are band 2 and earn £23-25k per year….

OP posts:
Original poster
Shavaa93 · 22/09/2023 12:09

Great… I have just read through the FAQs on the bottom of the job description email.

it states that this is not a job offer, that after the training and dbs is completed I would still need to come in for a face to face interview. That there are other candidates that have applied for the role and that they are a 2nd tier recruitment agency….

I have just paid the £75 deposit!

OP posts:
MNetcurtains · 22/09/2023 12:38

Who did you apply to? An agency? How did you hear about them?

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MendaciousMabel · 22/09/2023 12:42

It doesn't sound right that you have to do the training and DBS BEFORE a formal interview tbh and even less so to pay a deposit

YouveGotAFastCar · 22/09/2023 12:42

No decent job would require a £75 deposit.

Original poster
Shavaa93 · 22/09/2023 12:49

Ok I think I’m entirely at fault and have been stupid here…

the position I applied to was through a posting on gumtree…. The job descriptions states it will be different shift patterns (whereas the lady on the phone told me I can specify and they are flexible). It says one location on the job description and then further down the post says a different location (which is the one I was contacted about today). It also states a different recruitment agency name on the job posting, however the company the lady contacted me from today is apparently a 2nd tier recruitment agency that jobs get past down to?

she said that the company pays for the dbs and apply for it for me, which sounds correct, but I’m worried I’ve lost that £75 now

OP posts:
namestevalian · 22/09/2023 12:51

Report to your bank as a scam

Do not look for jobs on gumtree , use indeed and other reputable platforms

TheFlis · 22/09/2023 12:51

Yeah I’m afraid you have been scammed, you shouldn’t have to pay for your own training to start a legitimate job.

cocksstrideintheevening · 22/09/2023 13:00

I think you've lost your £75 op, sorry.

MendaciousMabel · 22/09/2023 13:32

Definitely contact your bank, this is a scam x

Cowlover89 · 22/09/2023 14:14

Scam

Original poster
Shavaa93 · 22/09/2023 14:21

Thanks everyone! I was very naive and won’t be making that mistake again!

although I emailed the lady directly she said that the day after training I will receive an informal telephone interview and that I do have the job..

I contacted my bank and they have blocked and issued me a new card and said they might be able to get my money back. They can see that the money has gone to a number +44 so it’s definitely a scam.

OP posts:
MNetcurtains · 22/09/2023 14:26

Shavaa93 · 22/09/2023 14:21

Thanks everyone! I was very naive and won’t be making that mistake again!

although I emailed the lady directly she said that the day after training I will receive an informal telephone interview and that I do have the job..

I contacted my bank and they have blocked and issued me a new card and said they might be able to get my money back. They can see that the money has gone to a number +44 so it’s definitely a scam.

Don't get me wrong, it is a scam, but why would a UK country code mean it's definitely a scam?

roses2 · 22/09/2023 16:12

Report to your bank as a scam

Why would they refund if she willingly handed over her details???

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 22/09/2023 16:15

roses2 · 22/09/2023 16:12

Report to your bank as a scam

Why would they refund if she willingly handed over her details???

If OP paid by debit card for a non-existent service, she is covered by Visa Dispute rules.

RoseBucket · 22/09/2023 16:20

+44 is a UK number. But yes sounds like a scam, any company asking you to pay for your own training surely would be? Can you link the advert.

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