Masonry Connection

This company advertisies construction jobs on Career Builder.com, and other websites. Job seekers who respond to the ads report when they arrive for a scheduled interview, there is no actual job, interview, or employment offer. According to complainants upon arrival they are solicited to enroll in a vocational training facility. Respondents are asked to apply for student loans to pay for training classes offered by the company.

If you are looking for a job, you may come across ads for firms that promise employment results. Although many such firms are legitimate and helpful, others may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings, or charge high upfront fees for services that may not lead to a job. Some ads may direct you to call a toll-free 800-number. Once you are connected, you may be switched to a pay-per-call 900-number without your knowledge, or you may be asked to call a 900-number without a proper fee disclosure. Both practices violate federal law.

Too many consumers who respond to these ads think they are contacting a bona fide placement service that is seeking candidates to fill specific jobs. Instead, they reach a business that creates the impression that consumers obtain employment through use of its "services." To make matters worse, such businesses typically charge advance fees - ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars - for their services. Sometimes the fees are imposed without consumer approval, or the consumer is led to believe that most or all of the fees ultimately will be refunded, which turns out to be false.

Attending a vocational school requires serious financial commitment. While the amount you pay to attend a school is an important consideration in determining its value, it is not the sole indicator of the best school. An inexpensive school may not be the best deal for your needs; likewise, a very expensive school does not guarantee you the best education. Students should also remember that loans issued from the school or from other sources must be repaid, whether or not you complete the program or find the classes to be worthwhile. Therefore, students should not consider a school free simply because they are not paying anything at the time they are attending classes; they are, in reality, spending their own money and should consider it as such.