BBB & ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions Issues Warning for Job Seekers

BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & Northeast Georgia has been notified by ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions that scammers are placing fake online job advertisements for positions with their organization. ClearPoint is a national nonprofit BBB accredited business with A+ rating and a 50-year legacy.

ClearPoint has confirmed that fake online job postings were placed on Craigslist. Acting immediately, ClearPoint has filed complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, the FTC and Craigslist. In written correspondence to our office, a representative from ClearPoint stated that this phishing scam was of particular concern, as the perpetrators request credit card numbers from job applicants, a practice never used by ClearPoint.

ClearPoint has also issued the following warning on its website: *Note: The Better Business Bureau and ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions have recently had their business names falsely represented in online job postings by scammers. Please use caution when looking for jobs online.

BBB offers the following tips to avoid being taken by this or similar employment scams:

• Exercise Caution. When using social networking sites like Facebook and online employment sites such as Craigslist, be sure to check the actual Web site of the company posting the position to verify it actually exists. If you don’t see it on their site, chances are it’s a scam.

• Guard Your Resume. Some job seekers have uploaded their resume online but remember to make sure you only upload it for a legitimate purpose and company. Resumes often contain personal information, ripe for identity theft thieves.

• Do not give too much information until you are hired. Jobseekers should become suspicious if asked for certain personal information on a job application. Never give out Social Security or bank account numbers over the phone, internet or e-mail.

• Start with Trust. Many scams use names that are similar to reputable companies to trick job seekers. BBB recommends that job seekers check out the company first at bbb.org and to apply through the actual company site whenever possible.

For further information, you may contact Thomas Nitzsche, Media Relations, ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions, 404-490-2227, thomas.nitzsche@clearpointccs.org