Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
Mar 13th 2008, 1:43 am
#31
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
Yep, that's a good idea, it's such a shame when people get taken advantage of like this. There are plenty of reputable agencies out there (that's how we found our first job in NZ) but as you say they charge the employer for the service.
Last edited by Nerine; Mar 13th 2008 at 1:52 am.
Mar 13th 2008, 1:51 am
#32
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
One big con that was being worked at a well known employers in NZ came to light a while back, not sure if it made the news or not:
A person worked for the human resources department of a large employer in Auckland and regularly received CVs from people overseas looking for employment in NZ. This person's partner used to run a recruitment agency. Guess where the CVs were being syphoned off to?
Guess who then used to "sell" these applicants back to the unsuspecting employer for a very tidy fee thank you very much.
No one realised that this scam was being operated until one of the applicants began to ask questions as to how this CV had ended up with this recruitment agency and why it was being sent to the company he'd applied to in the first place. The company quickly put two and two together and sackings followed.
Just thought people would be interested to hear this.
A person worked for the human resources department of a large employer in Auckland and regularly received CVs from people overseas looking for employment in NZ. This person's partner used to run a recruitment agency. Guess where the CVs were being syphoned off to?
Guess who then used to "sell" these applicants back to the unsuspecting employer for a very tidy fee thank you very much.
No one realised that this scam was being operated until one of the applicants began to ask questions as to how this CV had ended up with this recruitment agency and why it was being sent to the company he'd applied to in the first place. The company quickly put two and two together and sackings followed.
Just thought people would be interested to hear this.
Mar 13th 2008, 2:14 am
#33
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
People in HR departments and recruitment agencies have a great deal of trust placed in them when you think about it, who knows what happens to the information you give them when submitting a speculative CV? 
. Just think of all the medical staff who contact hospitals enquiring about work for instance, what happens to their personal details? Is there any form of data protection act in force in NZ and does it cover printed as well as electronic records?.
Beside the obvious risk of identity fraud there is no telling where that information is going to end up and who will have access to it.
When we were going through this process a few years back my OH would have put all sorts of information on a CV and I had to ask him to be a bit more careful.
I know this is getting a bit off topic now but it is related:
Perhaps it would be a good idea to be a little bit cautious about just how much we give away to these agencies - especially full names, addresses, places and dates of birth, copies of passport/visas etc, bank account numbers etc. Perhaps a first name, an indication of your visa status and an email address would be enough?
. Just think of all the medical staff who contact hospitals enquiring about work for instance, what happens to their personal details? Is there any form of data protection act in force in NZ and does it cover printed as well as electronic records?. Beside the obvious risk of identity fraud there is no telling where that information is going to end up and who will have access to it.
When we were going through this process a few years back my OH would have put all sorts of information on a CV and I had to ask him to be a bit more careful.
I know this is getting a bit off topic now but it is related:
Perhaps it would be a good idea to be a little bit cautious about just how much we give away to these agencies - especially full names, addresses, places and dates of birth, copies of passport/visas etc, bank account numbers etc. Perhaps a first name, an indication of your visa status and an email address would be enough?
Mar 13th 2008, 6:23 am
#34
Sleazy Dippin Doodle
Joined: May 2007
Location: wellington
Posts: 1,363
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
http://www.privacy.org.nz/the-privacy-act-and-codes/
as to whether it covers electronic stuff - i have no idea.
What I can say, however, is like anywhere if people sound legitimate and they know what proof/words to provide they can get any piece of information.
I used to have to ask nurses all sorts of information in a previous (UK) job about the health of patients in order to send carers out to them. I legitimately asked but, quite frankly, i didn't speak to the same nurse all the time therefore they didn't know my voice. But, i said the right words and got all the information. And sometimes i did not have to provide much information. Scary.
You are right about CV's. Don't provide too much information. Age, marital status, number of children, religious affiliation etc are generally irrelevant to the job.
Mar 13th 2008, 6:43 am
#35
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Wellington - Churton Park
Posts: 132
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
There are good agencies and then there are the bad ones. The difference between them is how they see us. Some see us as clients as much as the employers while for the others we are just a CV. However I have never heard of an agency in NZ charging money for their services except for the fee which they charge to the employer.
There are companies which charge employees but these tend to offer services such as career counselling , coaching etc.
If a recruitment agency asks for money then just ignore them completely. And no decent agency would ever ask for a bank account.
As regards to CVs, it is important not to include certain info such as date of birth, marital status etc as this might lead to discrimination. However name and email address is surely not enough as the address of the candidate is crucial for them to know whether they are in already in NZ or not.
There are companies which charge employees but these tend to offer services such as career counselling , coaching etc.
If a recruitment agency asks for money then just ignore them completely. And no decent agency would ever ask for a bank account.
As regards to CVs, it is important not to include certain info such as date of birth, marital status etc as this might lead to discrimination. However name and email address is surely not enough as the address of the candidate is crucial for them to know whether they are in already in NZ or not.
Mar 13th 2008, 7:35 pm
#36
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: North Lanarkshire, Scotland
Posts: 312
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
Thanks for the advice. It will hopefully help someone who is considering using an agency.
Mar 13th 2008, 9:58 pm
#37
Cornish Lass
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Papamoa Beach
Posts: 405
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
People in HR departments and recruitment agencies have a great deal of trust placed in them when you think about it, who knows what happens to the information you give them when submitting a speculative CV? . Just think of all the medical staff who contact hospitals enquiring about work for instance, what happens to their personal details? Is there any form of data protection act in force in NZ and does it cover printed as well as electronic records?.
Beside the obvious risk of identity fraud there is no telling where that information is going to end up and who will have access to it.
When we were going through this process a few years back my OH would have put all sorts of information on a CV and I had to ask him to be a bit more careful.
I know this is getting a bit off topic now but it is related:
Perhaps it would be a good idea to be a little bit cautious about just how much we give away to these agencies - especially full names, addresses, places and dates of birth, copies of passport/visas etc, bank account numbers etc. Perhaps a first name, an indication of your visa status and an email address would be enough?
. Just think of all the medical staff who contact hospitals enquiring about work for instance, what happens to their personal details? Is there any form of data protection act in force in NZ and does it cover printed as well as electronic records?. Beside the obvious risk of identity fraud there is no telling where that information is going to end up and who will have access to it.
When we were going through this process a few years back my OH would have put all sorts of information on a CV and I had to ask him to be a bit more careful.
I know this is getting a bit off topic now but it is related:
Perhaps it would be a good idea to be a little bit cautious about just how much we give away to these agencies - especially full names, addresses, places and dates of birth, copies of passport/visas etc, bank account numbers etc. Perhaps a first name, an indication of your visa status and an email address would be enough?
Mar 13th 2008, 10:48 pm
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Limbo Land
Posts: 136
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
Just been browsing Trucknet and they haven't been on there for ages either....
Mar 13th 2008, 11:01 pm
#39
Sleazy Dippin Doodle
Joined: May 2007
Location: wellington
Posts: 1,363
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
I am probably stirring here, and hopefully not breaching any online rules but have you considered contacting the local paper, the Northern Advocate?
www.northernadvocate.co.nz
their general enquiries email is [email protected]
Who knows, they may like the local interest story your experience has provided. They might not. But they might....
oh, dont get me started on the winterless north. a phrase invented by the Northern Advocate according to their website. Load of hooey. Never seen so many frosts as when i used to go to Whangarei to see fambily. and i am from WELLINGTON. yikes. double yikes. though the weather is lovely most of the time
www.northernadvocate.co.nz
their general enquiries email is [email protected]
Who knows, they may like the local interest story your experience has provided. They might not. But they might....
oh, dont get me started on the winterless north. a phrase invented by the Northern Advocate according to their website. Load of hooey. Never seen so many frosts as when i used to go to Whangarei to see fambily. and i am from WELLINGTON. yikes. double yikes. though the weather is lovely most of the time
Mar 13th 2008, 11:13 pm
#40
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,038
Can't change a leopards spots.....
This is why we feel so bothered about it, we odviously gave lots of info to C-------- , and copies of OH driving licence and all sorts, so there is always that worry of identity fraud, but we can only hope, that because so much has come to light about them, they will just go away and not surface again.
Mar 13th 2008, 11:28 pm
#41
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
Chances are that this is not the first time this sort of stunt has been pulled and it is quite likely to happen again.
If this "agency" was selling assistance with immigration issues then perhaps this issue should also be brought to the attention of NZIS in London?
I'd say hold off with going to the press incase it prejudices any formal investigation which may be instigated.
There could also be a more widespread fraud involved if, for instance (and I'm not saying this happened) the person running the agency was also employed in the HR dept of a large local employer in Whangarei/Northland.
If this "agency" was selling assistance with immigration issues then perhaps this issue should also be brought to the attention of NZIS in London?
I'd say hold off with going to the press incase it prejudices any formal investigation which may be instigated.
There could also be a more widespread fraud involved if, for instance (and I'm not saying this happened) the person running the agency was also employed in the HR dept of a large local employer in Whangarei/Northland.
Mar 14th 2008, 1:21 am
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,038
Posted in OZ as well.............
True story
A friend of mine (nice chap) employed the services of an agency for a job from South Africa to NZ in IT.
Everything seemed above board, the agency, for a huge fee (NZ$5000) arranged an interview with a well known NZ IT Company.
My friend checked out the web site, correct address, did some background research on the company and all above board.
He arrived in NZ, leaving his family in SA to wind up their affairs there, with a suitcase full of clothes and literally a few hundred dollars to his name, all that he could afford to bring as the rand v $ was very poor.
He stayed in a backpackers sharing a room with about 10 great unwashed.
At the due date and time he arrived at the company address, yes it was there, but...........they knew nothing of him.
There was no interview arranged and the company had never heard of the recruitment agency in question.
Likewise when my somewhat trusting friend tried to contact the agency they had done a runner.
My friend had a very hard lesson.
Fortunately he managed to find a temporary job as a barman and then a job in IT, bought his family over from SA and is now very happily content in NZ.
A friend of mine (nice chap) employed the services of an agency for a job from South Africa to NZ in IT.
Everything seemed above board, the agency, for a huge fee (NZ$5000) arranged an interview with a well known NZ IT Company.
My friend checked out the web site, correct address, did some background research on the company and all above board.
He arrived in NZ, leaving his family in SA to wind up their affairs there, with a suitcase full of clothes and literally a few hundred dollars to his name, all that he could afford to bring as the rand v $ was very poor.
He stayed in a backpackers sharing a room with about 10 great unwashed.
At the due date and time he arrived at the company address, yes it was there, but...........they knew nothing of him.
There was no interview arranged and the company had never heard of the recruitment agency in question.
Likewise when my somewhat trusting friend tried to contact the agency they had done a runner.
My friend had a very hard lesson.
Fortunately he managed to find a temporary job as a barman and then a job in IT, bought his family over from SA and is now very happily content in NZ.
Mar 14th 2008, 8:40 am
#44
Dreamfish's workhorse
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Papakowhai, Wellington
Posts: 81
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
I probably missed the boat...
Registrant:
Sefton Billington (S2TSU) [email protected]
Digital Innovation
PO BOX 14252
Wellington, Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +1 (004) 387-2899
Administrative Contact:
Digital Innovation Limited (WU4C5) [email protected]
PO BOX 14252
Wellington,
New Zealand
Phone: +64 99999999
Technical Contact:
Digital Innovation Limited (WREZL) [email protected]
PO BOX 14252
Wellington,
New Zealand
Phone: +64 99999999
Billing Contact:
Sefton Billington (S2TSU) [email protected]
Digital Innovation
PO BOX 14252
Wellington, Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +1 (004) 387-2899
Record last updated on 2008-01-02 00:00:00
Record created on 2007-01-09 00:00:00
Record expires on 2009-01-09 00:00:00
Domain servers in listed order:
ns1.elogo.co.nz 67.18.125.186
ns2.elogo.co.nz 67.18.125.187
Registration Service Provider: DiscountDomains.co.nz
[email protected]
+64 (3)3516713
digiweb.co.nz
Perhaps contact these guys as they registered the domain name... which means there would to have been a registered address and contact?
L
Registrant:
Sefton Billington (S2TSU) [email protected]
Digital Innovation
PO BOX 14252
Wellington, Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +1 (004) 387-2899
Administrative Contact:
Digital Innovation Limited (WU4C5) [email protected]
PO BOX 14252
Wellington,
New Zealand
Phone: +64 99999999
Technical Contact:
Digital Innovation Limited (WREZL) [email protected]
PO BOX 14252
Wellington,
New Zealand
Phone: +64 99999999
Billing Contact:
Sefton Billington (S2TSU) [email protected]
Digital Innovation
PO BOX 14252
Wellington, Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +1 (004) 387-2899
Record last updated on 2008-01-02 00:00:00
Record created on 2007-01-09 00:00:00
Record expires on 2009-01-09 00:00:00
Domain servers in listed order:
ns1.elogo.co.nz 67.18.125.186
ns2.elogo.co.nz 67.18.125.187
Registration Service Provider: DiscountDomains.co.nz
[email protected]
+64 (3)3516713
digiweb.co.nz
Perhaps contact these guys as they registered the domain name... which means there would to have been a registered address and contact?
L
Mar 14th 2008, 8:42 am
#45
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Beware of recruitment agencies, namely.....
May be worth a try?