My resume got pulled from Careerbuilder and this recruiter called about a position that had nothing to do with the IT jobs I was looking for but being as I was out of work I thought why not see what they have to offer. I asked the recruiter if the job paid benefits and he said it did. He wanted to schedule an interview but said it had to be this one day only, which was a pain because I had an interview scheduled in another state the day before. But I decided to go, so I came back the night before.

When I arrived at the interview site they emailed me. It was an old building and an old bankers life sign was above the door. I walked up the stairs to the interview site and too my surprise the offices were completely empty. A woman and a man were sitting behind one of those rented tables that fold out and they had a paper table cloth that said Bankers Life it. The woman asked me for my hard copy resume and then gave me a piece of paper to fill out.
Just walking into this setting made me feel like this was not right. So I asked the woman isn't Bankers life a big company and she said it was but they were just moving into the area. (Now the sign outside the building door was old, so this was another disconnect). But I went in to fill out the paper work she gave me, and looked at her handouts. I asked is this where the interview was being held, and she said this was just a 1st round interview and it was a group session about the opportunities at the company.

There was another room set up with 20 or so chairs, and a video player. The woman came in and started to talk about the company. Several other people came in, and this one woman was like me a bit surprised at the room setting and the fact that she had been told like me it was an interview for a management position.

Then I looked at the handouts she gave us, and saw they were looking to hire sales agents. But the information appeared to say you would be a contractor for them, and you would have to sign a contract and pay them to work for them. (supposedly for license fees to be an insurance agent in the state of Maryland). At this point I came to the conclusion that this was a real scam. No legitimate business would be asking potential employees for money on the 1st interview.

I got up and asked for my resume back, the woman insisted I give her back the handouts that had her name and information on it and the company name. I guess so I wouldn't have any evidence to give the police. I left feeling violated, and also lied to by whoever it was that called me.

When I got home and searched the internet, and sure enough there were other similar instances reported, where people had gone to successive interviews and each one they were asked for more and more money. Some reported up to $600.00.

If you get a call like this, I suggest you do not go to the interviews no matter how desperate for work you are.

I have an interview on Wednesday. I don't belive in selling something you wouldn't buy youself. If you think you can live with being associated with this reputation, then go ahead. I'll be calling them tomorrow to cancel.

http://www.bbb.org/chicago/business-reviews/insurance-services/bankers-life-and-casualty-company-in-chicago-il-4222