Job agency promises work for fee

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - The job ads seem filled with possibilities. The postings include 'mail-file clerk today', 'office help appointment now', 'customer service appointment today'.

The Craigslist postings caught Rose's eyes.

"A lot of their job postings were for administrative work and customer service and regular clerical work," Rose told WAVY.com.

Asking us not to use her real identity, Rose called the number on the ad and made an appointment with Virginia Employment Services.

"She starts telling me how they can have me placed that day or even the next day because they have so many jobs available. Then she says there's a membership of $365.00."

WAVY News 10 has investigated the company for more than a decade. First it was Jobs Plus, then renamed Virginia Personnel. Now, it's Virginia Employment Services. Different names, but the same pitch.

Barry Bateman has been out of work for more than a year and had high hopes when he responded to the Craigslist ad.

"She looked at me and said 'ok, judging by the selections you've made your total is going to be about $300 for services. The services we provide is just to get you a job'."

Bateman paid the money and three interviews later, he still did not have that promised job.

"Went suit, tie everything. Had to fill out their application, and after I sat in their waiting room for about a half hour filling out a packet, I handed it into the lady and she said who referred you to my company? and I said VES and she said what's that?"

WAVY News 10 took a closer look at the Craigslist ads and found VES ads usually do not list specific cities and use different phone numbers.

Six different numbers all led back to the same place: Virginia Employment Services. Armed with a Craigslist ad, 10 On Your Side sent an undercover team inside VES's North Military Highway office.

An employee went through a well rehearsed pitch.

"They would offer insurance, retirement plans, 401K's. If you don't want to take the benefits, usually most of our companies would offer higher pay scales," a VES representative said on camera.

That deal came with a $365.00 price tag.

"They are immediate, so actually I can have you set up with someone as early as today." the VES employee promised.

Ten On Your Side contacted Craigslist. We were surprised to hear the classified website does NOT condone VES's tactics. A company spokesperson emailed us the following statement, "Charging job-seekers an upfront fee for any reason is strictly prohibited and anyone posting such an ad is subject to banning from Craigslist."

VES's name and claim to promise employment are not lost on the folks at the Virginia Employment Commission who provide services for free. Regional Director Joseph Hopkins told WAVY.com they have spoken to several victims. "When you see some of the customers that really don't have the money to put into that, when we get these types of notices or problems we refer them up to our central office and possibly the Attorney General's office."

The Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs and the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney office are investigating Virginia Employment Services. 10 On Your Side decided to pay VES another visit. The office manager refused to answer any questions.

Ten On Your Side sent a copy of the Craigslist statement to attorney Roger Griffin who represents VES owners James and Karla O'Leary. The O'Leary's refuse to comment.

 

Craigslist depends on its users to monitor the site. So if you come across a suspicious ad, flag it. Evidence of such practices should be sent to abuse@craigslist.org or https://post.craigslist.org/nfk/J/

Both agencies investigating VES need to hear from you. You can email or call the Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-552-9963.

Related links:

Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs: www.vdacs.virginia.gov
Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney's Office: www.norfolk.gov/Commatty/