Job search fees warning
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• Bogus job agencies are cashing in on the recession by demanding registration fees from out-of-work drivers.
The Metropolitan Police say that truck, fork-lift and plant drivers are being conned into handing over cash to false recruitment agencies which have no jobs to offer. Adverts in the tabloid press, usually for overseas work, break the law by demanding money, either as "joining up fees" or for job "information packs", A growing number of bogus companies are being set up to prey on the unemployed: they generally survive for a few months before their activities are discovered.
DC Mike Walsh for the Metropolitan Police says: "It's happening continuously. Any employment advert that asks for a fee must be regarded with suspicion."
Walsh is investigating Wembley-based Orion Associates for allegedly demanding a fee while having no jobs on offer — this company has no connection with the legitimate Cheshire basedOrion Associates.
United Road Transport Union general secretary David Higginbottom adds his weight to the warning: "Don't do it. You are not going to find work that can't be found by legitimised means by simply paying a fee. There are lots of people looking for work and they should go for the known, reputable agencies."
Mark Wilcox is general manager of Manpower Driving Services, which employs 2,500 HGV, fork-lift and plant drivers. He advises: "Target the responsible agencies and never even think about paying a fee for being found employment."
Overseas fobs Express magazine says it receives "hundreds of calls" from people who want to drive overseas. Editor David Creffield says he tries to vet advertisers and if complaints are received from drivers the agency is confronted.