Partners Group - SCAM

This scam company posts fraudulent job advertisements on numerous, popular, and free classified websites to entice applicants to pay fees for software and equipment. Applicants, who respond to the ad, typically receive emails stating their resumes have been reviewed and have been considered for the position. The email describes the job offer for an online work at home position to work anywhere, with flexible hours, and competitive pay. Positions listed in the email are; Data Entry Clerk, Accounting Clerk, Accounting Executive, Clerical Administrative, Bookkeeper, Customer Service, Payroll, Medical Billing Coder and Medical Biller Coder. The email informs the applicant that a job briefing and interview will be held via Yahoo Instant Messaging Chat with an officer from the company. The email also advises that a confirmation response is required along with a copy of the applicants resume.

When the applicant completes a list of interview questions and is supposedly “hired”, the assigned officer enlists two weeks of training, and assigns tasks via Yahoo Instant Messaging Chat. New hires are told that employees are paid by check and/or money order, and are required to have working equipment which includes; an office desk, laptop, fax, printer, copier, software, etc., and that they will receive a check to purchase the necessary working materials. New hires are instructed to deposit the check into their personal bank account and withdraw the money. They are specifically told not to cash it. Others are told to send a payment ranging between $200 and $350 to cover the cost of the required software. According to the company, reimbursement of the software fee will be included with their first paycheck. The type of tasks include; accessing EDGAR, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) database, record financial statements of renowned corporation’s such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, etc. , and to access Fortune’s homepage to identify the three most admired Fortune 500 companies.

Be aware! This company is not hiring anyone. They are spoofing a legitimate company out of New York, operating under the name Partners Group (USA), Inc. They are also using names of the legitimate company’s personnel, physical address, and in some cases they display their company logo on job advertisements. Be cautious about any unsolicited offers or opportunities offering you the chance to make easy money. Take steps to verify any company which makes you a job offer and verify if their contact details (address, phone number, email address and web site) match. Never give your bank details or personal information to anyone unless you know and trust them. Chances are if you deposit the check provided by the company, there may be no funds in their bank account (if they have an account to begin with) and you could be responsible for non-sufficient bank fees or accrue fees for returned checks. You should not have to pay a company to get a job.

If you believe you have fallen for an employment scam, file a complaint with Business Consumer Alliance.