POEA warns vs. online illegal recruitment schemes

The POEA added that illegal activities include the use of fake emails and websites, and/or fake job advertisements on social media sites such as Facebook. (File Photo: Kaitlyn Baker/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Sunday warned the public, particularly would-be overseas Filipino workers, against online illegal recruitment schemes promising “deployment after the lockdown” or “work interview after quarantine”.

In Advisory No. 62, POEA said the public should be cautious against unscrupulous individuals who misrepresent themselves as officers and staff of licensed recruitment agencies in order to entice jobseekers to apply.

“The public is warned of promises of online scammers for job interview and deployment after the “lockdown” or after “lifting of the quarantine”, “PM (private message) if interested”, “click link for more details”. The advertisements ask for reservation fees and/or personal information from unsuspecting applicants,” it said.

The POEA added that illegal activities include the use of fake emails and websites, and/or fake job advertisements on social media sites such as Facebook.

“POEA warns the public to ignore these online advertisements and not to give or deposit money, especially through remittance centers such as Western Union, Cebuana Lhuillier, or Palawan Express, or money transfers thru GCash, 7/11, or PayPal. Further, please be warned about providing sensitive personal information, such as full names, birthdates, addresses, etc. as these may be used in criminal activities,” it said.

POEA added that online job advertisements should only be made by licensed recruitment agencies and should follow posting guidelines such as a clear indication of the name of the licensed agency, their agency registration number, job positions, qualifications, salaries, among others.

Without these pieces of information, the POEA urged the public to ignore the advertisements.

“Payments, when allowed, must only be made to licensed recruitment agencies, and corresponding official receipts must be issued,” it said.

It advised overseas job seekers to use the POEA verification system at the POEA website (www.poea.gov.ph) or email the POEA Information Center at info@poea.gov.ph to verify vacancies and job orders. Apply only to jobs that have approved job orders.

The agency also asked the public to immediately report any suspicious or illegal activities pertaining to online recruitment scams to the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch Operations and Surveillance Division at email poea_airb_osd@yahoo.com or contact 0919-067-4206.