Wow! A Job Offer!!

I got a voice mail on my cell phone today with a job offer.  Now this in and of itself is amazing, because I don’t give my cell phone number out at all.  But, hey, if someone’s offering me a better job with less hassles, I might be willing to listen.

Sooo, I foolishly call back, and talk to a guy named John Becker with PFS services in Greenville, a division of Citicorp. He informs me that they are looking for someone with my leadership skills to help individuals with financial problems.  Uh huh.  It took me exactly two seconds to figure out where this call was heading.

Me:  "So, exactly how did you get my name and this phone number?"

John:  "Your name was provided to us by a leading headhunter service because of your ability to work with people and your leadership skills.  We are looking for people who can put together and lead a team.  Do you think you have those leadership qualities?"

Me:  "If I didn’t I wouldn’t be in my current position."

John:  "And what position are you currently in?"

By this time I couldn’t see because of all the red flags. So, if some reputable headhunter had provided my name to this bozo, wouldn’t he already have a copy of my resume and know what positions I’ve held?  Hmmm.

After a bit of googling, I find that Primerica Financial Services is the Amway of the Insurance/Financial world.   Two websites, Primericabuster and the Rip-Off Report offer some interesting insights into the company and its practices.  Should someone be foolish enough to accept an offer, here’s what one might expect…

• First, expect to be called repeatedly by recruiters.
• Expect to pony up about $200 for a "training" session.
• You won’t make any money with the company until you become a licensed insurance agent with your state (at your expense, of course.)
• You will be expected to go out and find your own victims clients so you can sell them insurance polices.
• You will be expected to recruit your own dupes as agents, and will receive a percentage of their sales, as well.

That final point clearly places this in the realm of a multi-level marking scheme. 

The Rip-Off Report has some of the most entertaining reading because users can post rebuttals if a company’s name appears on the list.  Some of these are quite humorous, usually coming from people who have bought into the scam.  For people who have "extraordinary leadership skills and the ability to work with people," they sure can post some flaming, derogatory comments.

However, I still can help but wonder, HOW THE HELL DID THEY GET MY CELL PHONE NUMBER?!?!?!?

UPDATE:  A bit of further Internet research lead me to this scumbag, who uses his blog(s) to promote various internet-based and multi-level marketing scams.  Included in his list are the usual suspects, including Herbalife, Amway (Quixtar), and Primerica.  I’m guessing that somewhere between his home office computer and the bank, whatever self respect this guy had died an agonizing death.