Options4families job scam

Spikedog

Options4families advertised Trainee Child Therapy jobs on the Direct Gov website. They ask for a CV and covering letter then e-mail to set up a phone interview. A very plausible sounding chap calls to conduct the interview and asks whether you are free to start on x date. He then tells you he has more interview s before a final decision is made. Later that day an e-mail arrives offering the job subject to a clean DBS check. You are then directed to an on line (supposedly) DBS application form. The e-mail also asks for copy of driving licence, passport and two address confirmations AND £44.00 for the DBS check.
This is a scam. Options4Families was dissolved in 2010. The phone numbers on the site don't work and the office in Liverpool doesn't exist.
If you fall for the scam as I did, you need to contact The Police for a reference number and then Action Fraud. The Police will supply their number. Good idea to register with CIFAS and contact the credit checking agencies to make sure credit has not been applied for in your name.
Good luck!

keyser666

What was the website they directed you to for the DBS check?

AP007

http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/options-4-families

OP maybe you also want to be asking the UJM site why they are allowing scammers to advertise there.

keyser666

Seems this is the original website and the owner has a security company and catering company registered at his home address, also found this too which is one of his, cant see the scam in this one as yet

http://burnleypendlechildreninneed.yolasite.com/

keyser666

AP007 wrote: »

http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/options-4-families

OP maybe you also want to be asking the UJM site why they are allowing scammers to advertise there.

The OP is going off of the original website address, that does not mean it is the ltd company name

Coopdivi

keyser666 wrote: »

Seems this is the original website and the owner has a security company and catering company registered at his home address, also found this too which is one of his, cant see the scam in this one as yet

http://burnleypendlechildreninneed.yolasite.com/

This has the same phone number as Options4Families.

The ex-director of Options 4 Families Ltd. also happens to be the person who registered the Options4families.co.uk website.

http://whois.domaintools.com/options4families.co.uk

keyser666

Coopdivi wrote: »

This has the same phone number as Options4Families.

The ex-director of Options 4 Families Ltd. also happens to be the person who registered the Options4families.co.uk website.

http://whois.domaintools.com/options4families.co.uk

Yes coopdivi, thats how I linked the two in the first place, normally as you know these types of people if are on a scam use the same 0845 across several companies

Mrsmacca

I applied for this & went to an interview with a guy called john parks. Thought something was a bit dodgy and kept hassling him for contract of employment before I paid the DBS check. & shock never herd anything back. I reported it to the job centre & they have supposedly stopped them from advertising

Stressedatwork

I was also offered an interview with John Parks but as soon as I saw the website I knew it was a scam. They said that they did not charge clients for therapy and seemed to have no other sources of revenue. I e-mailed back declining the interview. Was a bit concerned as I sent my CV off with all my details. Think the use of the jobcentre website legitimises him somewhat, I thought it was a bit dodgy as the job is quite competitive and you usually have to pay quite a bit of money to train, there is no mention of accreditation either. I think it is irresponsible for JC not to have stricter vetting procedures for job adverts.

kiro_2

So I recently applied for a trainee child therapist vacancy advertised on universal jobs (the job ctr website) and sent my CV with a covering letter to Donna Phelps who stated she was, as quoted on the email signature, "HR mgr". I then got a reply within 10 minutes stating they wanted to interview me at their new offices in Manchester but the position was for either Liverpool or Manchester, so I agreed a time and date and showed up at the location she said the interview would take place. When I arrived at the office, the receptionist advised me nobody had turned up to conduct the interview and that options4families just hire a room out for the day in the building so I left and called the 0845 number for Donna and a gentleman called John answered and stated Donna was stuck in traffic but he was giggling slightly as he said it. I've sent 2 emails to Donna since and heard nothing. Should I report it as I sent them my CV which has my name, dob and address on? Although I didn't even have an interview, I feel like I've been had by them too. They're also currently looking for trainee child therapists in London too!! If it's too good to be true, it usually is!

Ourloulou

The more people report this the better!!! I unfortunately even with my gut feeling fell for the scam and I'm now £44.00 worse off. I didn't think that a company claiming to help children and families would use people who are willing to help children and gain employment to obtain money and my personal details. I have reported this to police my bank, police action fraud online and I have contacted universal jobmatch. If this can happen through a government website where is safe?