DESPERATE jobseekers are subjected to job scams after a “potential employer” robs them of their money by pretending to offer them employment.
Alberton charity organisations Child Welfare SA and Amcare are warning the community not respond to any SMS pertaining to employment at their centres.
This follows an SMS that has been making the rounds, targeting unemployed individuals and then letting them know they have been employed by the organisations and requesting them to make payments for a uniform.
Those who are scammed are promised cleaning jobs at these centres. This is an SMS scam used by an individual who is pretending to be a recruiter.
Soft targets
Precious Mawere, a resident of Hillbrow, who is originally from Zimbabwe, said she was scammed.
“I am an unemployed single mother of three who depends on every cent that comes my way to put food on the table. I am really saddened by what has been done to me. I don’t believe how one woman would do such a terrible thing to another woman,” she said.
The certified caregiver said her contacts were taken online on Gumtree and that “Marilyn” offered her a job as a cleaner, saying she should deposit R170 to secure her uniform.
Zeenith Domingo, director at Child Welfare SA – Greater Alberton, condemned the scam.
“It came to our attention that a person by the name of Marilyn was recruiting cleaning staff to work at Child Welfare. She would request that ladies make payments into an account through Pep Stores (she claimed it was for a uniform) using the email marilyn@socialworker.
“We distance ourselves from this scam and we did not advertise any cleaning positions. All posts are advertised only through NGO Pulse,” said Domingo.
Nadine Mason, Amcare’s marketing manager, commented: “We have been made aware that Amcare’s name is appearing in an SMS informing individuals they have been employed by Amcare Alberton Children’s Home and need to make a payment towards a uniform. This is a scam and does not involve Amcare or its staff.
“Amcare deals with all employment on a very professional level and would not ask for any money in terms of one’s employment. It is also important for the community to note that no individual will receive any message informing them they have been successful in a job application via SMS.
“In addition, all employment is administered, advertised and communicated via a human resources department,” Mason further explained.
Alberton SAPS spokesperson Capt Manare Ramotshela encouraged the public to report such cases.
“I strongly discourage this act, jobseekers should meet their potential employers in person to avoid being subject to scams. They should also avoid making payments to people whom they have never met,” said Ramotshela.
