Scammed By Recruitment Company - What Can I Do?

baldur on 07/03/2019 - 11:22
Last edited 07/03/2019 - 11:49 by 1 other user

Hi.
On the 15th of January, wanted to apply for an internship programme at H & R Block, carried out by the hiring company called GTRS. There were two payment options. First, $490 and the rest is after passing the interview and guaranteeing the internship. Second was upfront payment for the full service which is $20 discounted, equal to $1,900. I paid $1900 and I was told by their hiring manager, even I fail the interview I will be refunded, except $490.

I failed the H & R Block's interview, and then nobody contacted me or provided me a second interview. If they are unable to provide me at least two interviews they were supposed to me refund too. But for this, I had to wait 10 weeks at least. However, I waited for a month and they didn't take any action, they weren't doing anything literally. So I emailed them on the 15th of February, yet no replies. Then I raised a transaction dispute via my credit card at the end of February. My claim has been rejected because I was told my credit card company that I changed my mind hence I am not eligible for a refund. Today, I reported this to ACCC.

Here are other victims of this company.

I don't know what I should do at this point? Waiting for it to be 10 weeks so that I can claim a refund? Paying a visit to their office since they don't respond my calls and emails. Or should I take it to tribunals? Or is it completely my fault? What do you suggest?

I am in Melbourne by the way.

Education & Work

Related Stores

gtrs.com.au
gtrs.com.au

Comments

          • HighAndDry on 07/03/2019 - 14:01
            +2

            @baldur: Yes but the contract says you get the refund after 10 weeks. It hasn't been 10 weeks.

            • cashews on 09/03/2019 - 19:21
              +2

              @HighAndDry: Anyone who thinks he is getting back his money in 10 weeks are as gullible as he is for paying for a fake job interview.

  • bobbified on 07/03/2019 - 14:59
    +6

    apply for an internship programme at H & R Block, carried out by the hiring company called GTRS.

    Was going through this company the only way to apply for the internship at H&R Block? Or did you go through this company because you needed a hand to apply?

    If H&R Block outsouced their internship recruitment exclusively to this company and that was the only way to apply, I would contact H&R Block management to let them know what has happened. You're probably not the first and you won't be the last to experience this. H&R Block might reconsider any future engagement with this company if they are aware of these issues.

    • baldur on 07/03/2019 - 15:02

      I received the promotional emial from h and r block themselves, i was directed to that outsourcing company.
      I also contacted H and R Block and told them what happened. Havent had a reply yet.

      • bobbified on 07/03/2019 - 15:36
        +1

        I also contacted H and R Block and told them what happened. Havent had a reply yet.

        Do it in writing and outline the facts to H&R Block's management.

        On second thoughts, I wouldn't even be surprised if this recruitment company issued that "promotional material" themselves to make it look like they're the exclusive recruiter. I can't imagine H&R Block would engage a recruitment company as their exclusive channel that charges potential interns to apply for their program. The charge itself would turn away many applicants so they definitely wouldn't be getting the best possible candidates.

        • Hardlyworkin on 07/03/2019 - 18:35
          +1

          Is there a generic H&R block Facebook page? Get something public out there. This is not good for their brand. Keep pressing them from all angles.

          • HighAndDry on 07/03/2019 - 23:27
            +1

            @Hardlyworkin: I don't think H&R Block controls how the recruiter sources their interns. But other than not a good look, I think a better line of argument to use with H&R Block might be:

            "You're already paying the recruitment company to find interns - they're pre-emptively culling about 90% of prospective hires not due to any kind of merit, but by their ability to afford $1,900.00 payment to the recruitment company. That doesn't lead to finding the best hires - and the recruitment company is making money by lowering the quality of the hires."

  • Maxxjet on 07/03/2019 - 17:20

    Your best chance is getting money back via your credit company - mention what you put in the post that this company is a scam - any decent credit company would invesugate and do a recharge. If your creditt card company fails/refuses to do that, tell them you are going to make a complaint to Australian financial complaints authority - https://www.afca.org.au/ to dispute the fact they didn't act in the best interst of you as a customer.

  • Lexan on 07/03/2019 - 17:27
    +1

    There are more victims in whirlpool

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2769807

    • Lexan on 07/03/2019 - 17:30

      If someone has an account on whirlpool. Please pass on the message to shimmering;
      please stop talking nonsense. Just return money back to the owners.

      • HighAndDry on 07/03/2019 - 23:28

        I don't think they'd be able to hear you over the wads of cash people are throwing at them. As long as people are willing to spend $1,900 for an interview, the business model isn't going away.

    • cashews on 09/03/2019 - 19:25
      +1

      Lots of fake accounts posting that this is a legitimate company.

  • sakurashu on 07/03/2019 - 17:57

    Wow - looking at the reviews there is a 5 star review by "fanny video" and it is their one and only contribution - if that doesn't scream fake and bad at being fake I don't know what does

    • baldur on 07/03/2019 - 17:59

      What's funnier is how the hell h and r block cooperate with this company. Unbelievable.

  • lonix on 07/03/2019 - 18:05
    +4

    Who pays money to get an interview?

    • mezje on 09/03/2019 - 12:01

      Desperate, unintelligent people.

  • brendanm on 07/03/2019 - 18:36
    +6

    I'll give you a hot tip for the future: If anyone asks you to pay to go to a job interview, do not pay them, this is a scam.

    Edit - lol I've just realised this isn't even for a job, it's for an internship. You payed someone to get you an interview to work for free/at a very low rate. That's insane.

  • chumlee on 07/03/2019 - 18:44

    They did you a favour.

    Working at H&R Block would make you go postal

  • pformag on 07/03/2019 - 19:06
    +1

    Sucks mate. $1900 is a lot to lose.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2019 - 19:15

    Post Deleted

    • baldur on 07/03/2019 - 19:20

      The credit card is 28degrees mastercard and I work with nab. But that transaction is overdue at the moment and I'm paying late payment interest fees. Should I send the payment to my CC company and raise another dispute with NAB?

      • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2019 - 19:28
        +2

        Sorry, I deleted my post because I just realised that it hasn't been 10 weeks yet so the company hasn't broken contract. Until they break contract they haven't done anything wrong and that's probably why it's being deemed as a change of mind.

        You can try a chargeback again after the 10 weeks if you still haven't received your refund, and hopefully the first premature chargeback doesn't have any bearing on that decision.

        If it was me I would definitely pay the credit card to avoid interest. Interest is not going to be able to be reclaimed in anyway. If you win the chargeback then you'll have a nice credit in your account later.

  • Hardlyworkin on 07/03/2019 - 19:20
    +2

    I know that bikies are so last year for Ozbargain….. Though I think it's a valid option here.

    Have you attended the business premises in Collingwood? Do you know who is the director or shadow director of the company? If the office is used by the business still and customers attend there then standing out the front with a big sign that says SCAM. Just remember the staff who work there might be in poor position like yourself.

  • lainey13 on 07/03/2019 - 21:06
    +2

    Are you sure you actually interviewed with H&R? The whole thing sounds like a scam. Just dispute the transaction again and say you were the victim of a scam, provide details and examples of other people being caught up. I'm extremely skeptical about the interview itself, let alone the whole payment for this 'service' business.

  • babolimp on 07/03/2019 - 22:06
    +5

    let's review
    - you paid over a thousand dollars for an online "interview"
    - all 5 star reviews are obviously fake, all 1 star reviews a real people who got scammed
    - no physical office (assumption)
    - you never met them in person (assumption)

    you sir have been scammed. they are not recruiting for any one, let alone H&R block. learn from your mistake and do your due diligence in future.

    • HighAndDry on 07/03/2019 - 23:29

      The crazy thing is - by all accounts - positive reviews, negative reviews, reps, OP - the H&R Block internship opportunities were real. H&R Block was actually using these guys to source interns.

      • SpotTheOzzie on 08/03/2019 - 12:10

        Mate..could have just been a case of:

        Recruiter rings H&R Block - Hey H&R Block, I have a very strong candidate for your position posted on your website. Can I arrange to send him for an interview?

        H&R Block - Sure, sounds good.

        In other words this parasite is acting like the middle man with no downside. Still..you'd have to be very inexperienced in 'life' to pay a recruiter to find you work. Hope this is an eye opener for you OP.

        If you contact me I'll happily reach out to the firm I started at to see if they have any entry accounting positions (which will actually give you a salary) and no I won't charge you nor would I receive commission.

        • Seedy seed on 08/03/2019 - 16:13

          Im not qaulified but whats the pay 😂

  • abb on 08/03/2019 - 09:07
    +7

    OP, for $50 upfront, followed by $50 on successful completion, I will get the refund for you. Alternatively you may choose to pay $80 upfront and I will refund you $30 if I am unsuccessful in achieving the refund prior to the heat death of the universe.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2019 - 18:09
      +2

      This is rubbing salt into the wounds.

  • infinite on 08/03/2019 - 11:08
    +1

    Who on earth pays someone to let them be a temporary volunteer?

  • codinghelloworld on 08/03/2019 - 11:32
    +1

    Cannot believe this is 2019, the 21st century and still has dodgy business try to get money from people who need a job to pay the bill. Hope OP can get the money back.

    • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 12:57

      Until you have a law forcing businesses to give people jobs, you'll always have people who want jobs who can't get one - if they want to pay someone else to increase their chances, what's wrong with that? That's effectively what all universities and vocational colleges to, or resume-writing courses, interviewing tutors, etc.

  • DiscoJango on 08/03/2019 - 11:54
    +1

    Paying a recruiter

    Ive never once heard of this concept

    I understand they make commissions from placing succesfull candidates, however charging just for an interview?

    • Lockieasy on 08/03/2019 - 18:52
      +1

      I have a friend in recruitment and that's how he charges (commission on placing successful candidate, that is).

      Paying for an interview sounds like a very dodgy and exploitative practice!

  • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2019 - 11:57

    Academy of entrepreneurs (pyrmont) doing the same thing, asking $3000 for 8 week unpaid internship.

  • Stimps on 08/03/2019 - 12:47
    +7

    Australia, where you pay for an interview for a job which pays nothing and still don’t get the job. What’s happened to this country?

    • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 12:55

      Considering it was voluntary, people got dumber?

      • Hardlyworkin on 08/03/2019 - 13:52

        Looking at the negative reviews, probably just more desperate. Trying to break into the job market is from a very different view than sitting in comfortable employment.

        • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 13:56

          Sure, I can get that, but the job market hasn't gotten any worse in the recent past - all indications are that things are still pretty good. Unemployment's actually gone down from highs of 6%ish in 2015 to around 5% today, and both figures are basically historical lows, close to basically the theoretical full employment for any economy.

          • Stimps on 08/03/2019 - 16:13
            +1

            @HighAndDry: Wage growth is in the gutter and sitting at near historical lows too.

            • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 16:51

              @Stimps: True - but we're talking about unpaid internships here so I'm not sure what the relevance of that is…

              • Stimps on 08/03/2019 - 17:07

                @HighAndDry: You’re posting about the job market and unemployment yet somehow wage growth is irrelevant?

                • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 17:10

                  @Stimps: I was replying in the context of your original comment which said:

                  Australia, where you pay for an interview for a job which pays nothing and still don’t get the job. What’s happened to this country?

                  Plus - I only mentioned the unemployment rate, you brought up wage growth. In the context of the availability of unpaid positions, no I don't think wage growth is relevant.

                  Let me clarify my point:

                  Wage growth has no relevance to the fact that OP can't land an unpaid internship position.

                  • Stimps on 08/03/2019 - 17:30

                    @HighAndDry: Low wage growth is an indicator of slack in the labour market because employers don’t have to compete with one another to fill a role. Perhaps if the market was as good as you think it is OP could land a paid graduate role, you know, instead of paying to work for free.

                    • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 17:34

                      @Stimps: It's indicative of a weaker jobs market definitely. But you can't really argue with 5.02% unemployment rate - that's literally the job market. And OP was going for an unpaid internship, not much lower that can get.

                      Perhaps if the market was as good as you think it is OP could land a paid graduate role, you know, instead of paying to work for free.

                      Nope - apparently OP needed the internship to graduate. They're not eligible for grad roles at all. Plus - again, there's less pay in those roles but the unemployment rate says there isn't a shortage of those roles. (also not to be too mean, but from OP's comments, I don't rate OP's chances on the open job market that highly either.)

  • Gmetal on 08/03/2019 - 14:00

    I don't understand this recruitment company racket. Every company i've interacted with makes it very clear that they don't take referrals from recruitment agencies. I would not want to work for a company that did employee such dodgy practices to get employees or allows their future employees to be fleeced 1900$. I wonder if its worth contacting H&R block to see if they actually use this company or if its an out and out scam?

  • baldur on 08/03/2019 - 14:21
    +9

    I was called by their lawyer and was told I'll get the refund if I delete this post. Lol. Where are you highanddry?

    • djprima on 08/03/2019 - 15:57

      *grabs popcorn

    • kungfupanda on 08/03/2019 - 17:00

      hah???
      don't tell me they know our secret OzB community here…

      no… probably they're going to post a bargain:

      For limited time only and to support OzBargain, we offer discount 70% of our fee: $570.00 and you may get cashback 0.1% (pending TA approval) ^_^

      just joking!!

    • HighAndDry on 08/03/2019 - 17:12

      I don't know why you're telling me. Good for you?

    • burningrage on 08/03/2019 - 18:04
      +1

      They would have to chase Whirlpool and Reddit too. lol

  • baldur on 08/03/2019 - 15:11
    +7

    After messaging and saying to my CC company, that their written and unlawful contract is not binding as I made my payment on the phone while agreeing to a verbal agreement which they broke afterwards, they have just proceeded a chargeback:

    Thanks for this information.

    After reviewing your query, we have processed a chargeback based on the evidence you provided however the transaction requires further investigation. In the meantime, we’ve credited your account with the full amount for the duration of the investigation.

    In line with Scheme regulations, (MasterCard & VISA) the merchant has up to 45 days to respond with any evidence to show that the transaction is valid. Until this time, the case will remain open. We’ll let you know the outcome of our investigation as soon as we hear from the merchant.

    • Seedy seed on 08/03/2019 - 16:14
      +4

      While im happy you got your money back i cant help but feel bad that your so obviously deficent in a real world education

      • baldur on 08/03/2019 - 16:18
        +1

        I'm not the only victim of these scammers. Sometimes circumstances could be determinants of your unfortunates. Anyway lesson learnt.

        • Seedy seed on 08/03/2019 - 16:19

          :) nope, these sorts of people know who to target and how, they are parasites.

    • lainey13 on 08/03/2019 - 20:37
      +1

      Better wait for the actual money to go back into the account before celebrating… email alone not proof.

      • baldur on 09/03/2019 - 17:05
        +1

        It did, today. Like they say they will investigate further.

  • T1OOO on 08/03/2019 - 16:08
    +2

    yep im signing out of OZB ,.. this is just ridiculess, i guess Australia has become a country of idiots, i cant take it anymore.

    this is not good for my health, im sorry i have to leave.

    • Baysew on 08/03/2019 - 16:17
      +2

      At least make it to 2000 comments.

    • Pantagonist on 09/03/2019 - 12:06
      +5

      Is ridicumore the opposite of ridiculess?

  • chuckles89 on 08/03/2019 - 17:06

    never had i heard a candidate paying a recruitment company … usually recruiters get paid by the employer …
    I just googled them and it seems they are located in collingwood, i would go there and check.
    check them out on linkedin too. if you do a google search on them and reviews.. you encompass very similar opinions dating back a few years ago also

  • Omitsukasa on 08/03/2019 - 17:15
    +2

    I'd seen ads from such type of companies around 10 years ago. Knew they were dodgy but at the same time tempted to try due to desperation. One often thinks that if you pay for something, you'll get something in return, or in this case, higher chance of getting something (employment). They pry on desperate international students and are scum of the earth.

  • vodanh on 08/03/2019 - 19:27

    i never knew you need to pay the recruitment agency upfront?
    most (4) of the agency i work through? they get you a job, and feed off that for the time you work.

  • bigbadboogieman on 08/03/2019 - 19:52

    You could look at going to small claims court for the balance if you have the terms of refund in writing. Charge back could be based on service paid for and not provided..?

  • Bryanalves on 08/03/2019 - 20:31

    Tldr

    • athk on 08/03/2019 - 22:55
      +1

      OP is silly, handed over $1900 for the promise of an interview with HR & Block. Got scammed $1900 by "recruiter".

      • Bryanalves on 09/03/2019 - 00:21

        Thx. Op, y u silly 4?

        • T1OOO on 09/03/2019 - 20:22

          Lolz

          Top kek

  • Myone888 on 09/03/2019 - 07:14
    +1

    https://think-employment.pissedconsumer.com/review.html
    Have a look at this link. Many of these so called recruitment companies RE brand themselves to new company name and scam up to now. This have going on for a long time and nothing new.

  • pantsparty on 09/03/2019 - 07:37
    +3

    Honestly after reading this and a whirlpool topic relating to the same company I think you were scammed. This looks to be a company who take advantage of international students whose English skills may not be 100% and who don’t know how to smell a scam even when it’s right under their nose.

    Just as an FYI for the future, if this company is hiring for H & R Block then the payment for this recruitment service should be paid by H & R Block. In Australia the candidate does not pay a fee to get a job.

    On another note if you have a university degree in accounting why the hell would you want to be doing basic tax returns for customers of H&R Block. Even if they do eventually hire you the pay will be rubbish and you won’t learn much.

  • Gamer Dad Reviews on 09/03/2019 - 17:02
    +4

    You got scammed son. No one can help you now, but you can get revenge. Install kali linux on your laptop. Master black hat hacking. Conduct thorough reconnaissance. Craft the perfect social engineering. Launch phishing attack. Inject malware. Establish persistence. Exfil their entire database, then drop tables all. Or just encrypt it all and demand ransom of equivalent monetary value to what they stole from you to get their data.
    GreyHat 4 life.

  • baldur on 24/04/2019 - 17:36
    Merged from Scammed by Recruitment Company - Part 2

    Hi Everyone,
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/442535
    that was how i was scammed but my credit card had provided a chargeback. Now after 45 days, they dismissed the chargeback upon the objection of the scammer merchant.

    They are so shameless to chase a chargebacked money.
    They didnt provide the service they promised.
    They didnt even provide me an invoice, I made my payment on the phone as i agreed to a verbal agreement which i was told i would refund if i failure the H and R Block interview. I wasnt provided with a contract, either.

    After 6 weeks, as they were not willing to deliver their service, they didnt even bother reply to me and considered this a change of mind, which is a breach of written contract. I didnt sign any contract at the time anyway.

    On their objection, They said i was unprofessional during the interview which is total BS. I was even barely let know about the outcome of that interview. The lady was like, I thought you failed the interview i will call you back for another interview and i wasnt called again.

    They never replied to my emails
    They even blocked me on facebook because i asked for a refund
    Their lawyer also offered/threatened me to delete my posts on the web so they would refund me.

    I dont know what to do at this point. Credit card company is really hard to convince even though i presented them all the facts and proofs. They closed the dispute.
    Should i take this to court?
    I am in Melbourne by the way.

    • Clear on 24/04/2019 - 17:40
      +2

      afca who replaced FOS?

      • baldur on 24/04/2019 - 17:50

        thank you, I will lodge a complaint now.

    • deveshwar0 on 24/04/2019 - 17:50
      +3

      Definitely file a case at VCAT small claims division.
      I reckon you'll get your refund during mediation as they would not like to air their dirty laundry.

    • holdenmg on 24/04/2019 - 20:02

      Bikies and/or ACA

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