Be suspicious of requests for upfront fees. Most employment agencies only charge if they actually get you a job, and often the new employer pays, not the employee.
	Don't believe promises of access to a "hidden job market." They're usually just excuses for refusing to provide information without advance payment.
	Never give your credit card or bank account information over the phone unless you are familiar with the company and are agreeing to pay for a service at that time.
	Be skeptical of any employment service firm that guarantees refunds to dissatisfied customers if they meet specified criteria. You might find that it's impossible for you to qualify for a refund.
	Get a copy of the firm's contract and review it carefully before paying. Understand all of the terms and conditions. If oral promises are made, insist that they be included. If the company claims it's not necessary to make the contract agree with the oral promises, say "goodbye." Whenever there is a dispute between oral promises and a written contract, the written contract is the winner. The only reason to refuse to include promises in a contract is to avoid fulfilling them.
	Be aware that some listing services and "consultants" may place ads that seem to offer jobs when in fact they are selling resume drafting services, "career direction consultations" or simply employment advice.

If you need advice about a telephone solicitation or you want to report a possible scam, call the NFIC hotline at 1-800-876-7060. You can also ask questions or report fraud using our online forms.

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