Ink Paper Words' Profile

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Pacific Northwest, United States
In elementary school, I desperately wanted my mother to order books for me from those flyers Scholastic hands out to kids. She refused, citing the "perfectly good library down the street." I exacted revenge by becoming a card-carrying ALA accredited reference librarian. Ha! Take that!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Rejection Has Never Been Sweeter

Mainly because I was the one doing the rejecting. I received email last night requesting an interview from someone whose posting on Craigslist I had replied to. I was excited until I got to the part where they said that before they could confirm an interview time I would have to obtain something called an “employee score,” and I was referred to site www.freeemployeescore.com. Since I had never heard of such a thing and having a hinky feeling about the proposition, I went to the site. Yes, I am well aware that many employers run your social through a vetting service to make hiring decisions, but I have certainly never been directed to conduct this part of the job screening myself. Sorry people, but I do not work for you. If you want to check on a potential employee, do it your own damn self.

Sure enough, the URL in question offers an employment background checking service, purportedly “free.” I was redirected to site www.consumerdirect.com which wanted to charge a fee on a credit card to provide me this “free” service. Perhaps this is so much semantic quibbling, but any charge is not “free.”

I have never understood the logic that says bad credit history = bad employee. It simply does not follow. What is does indicate is that a job is needed, and the person who actually needs a job seems more likely, IMO, to try to hold on to that job. God forbid unemployed people dare to find work. Isn't it more likely that this is a corporate urban legend foisted upon employers by people hawking this service? Come on, be realistic. If an employee were of a mind to commit a crime to obtain money to avoid having a bad rating, this person would, on the basis of his employee score, be preferable to someone who had not thought to do likewise and therefore had a bad score. It occurred to me during the Reagan administration that in that cultural atmosphere, no crime was as bad as the crime of being poor. I understand that the financial industry leaders who so recently needed a government bailout to avoid going belly up probably have excellent credit. That did not prevent them from bilking taxpayers out of millions.

Why does Craigslist attract so many bogus employment ads? Why don't they consider charging a small fee to employers to make sure that postings are for actual jobs and not phishing scams or attempts to charge people for the information on how to start a work at home business? This kind of crap annoys the bejesus out of me precisely because it exploits people who are desperate. Craigslist is a great resource for local information, but these kinds of posts under the guise of offering employment lessens its effectiveness and relevance.

The more I dug for information on getjudgment.com (the mail I received was from the domain getjudgement.com, which begs the question why I should consider them a legitimate employer when they can't even spell “judgment” correctly – I know, I'm a spelling snob. So sue me). Real businesses come up with something when you google them. Real businesses aren't afraid of a little transparency. Real businesses do not refer you to a phishing site before they will consider your candidacy for a legitimate job. Oddly, my outgoing mail client, which hangs on to everything I send until I manually delete it, shows no record of mail sent for this position title either to the various spellings of getjudgment or a Craigslist anonymous email. Ah, well, just one more red flag out of many.

Long story short, I sent my regrets to this “employer.” I am not a fool and value my privacy too much to surrender it on the off chance that I'd cop an interview out of it. Sorry, Janice @ getjudgement.com. Thanks for playing. Try again with some other chump.

Dear Ms. Walsh:
I wanted to thank you for your interest in interviewing me for your Administrative Assistant position as advertised on Craigslist. I must however regretfully decline your invitation.
The reason for my refusal centers on my belief that any employer who finds it necessary, in the middle of an economic depression, to conduct a credit check prior to employment or even further consideration is, quite simply, unworthy of my abilities.
I wish your office the best of luck in locating a master-level incumbent with over 30 years of work experience for your position.

File copy: adsl-68-121-22-201.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net


Oh, and a whois lookup yields the following data on consumerdirect.com

Registrant Contact:
David Coulter
Pathway Data, Inc. ()

Fax:
3187 Red Hill Ave #100
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
US

76 comments:

  1. I also just got one of these.. is it possible someone is trying to serve a subpoena??

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  2. I suppose it's possible, but I can't imagine why anyone would be serving me. There is another person in my state with my name -- wonder if it's intended for her...

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  3. How funny, this one is on the Sacramento Craigslist today, only judgement is spelled properly. Sad, it sounded interesting! I just went and got a score on another website because I think my security is preventing the website they sent me to to load, as well as anything with "getjudgement.com" in it. Sigh.

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  4. Janet,

    I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I received the same email today and was quite baffled at the email because I don't recall ever emailing this "Janice Walsh" person. Funny thing is, is that I almost went through the same thought process as you. I checked all my sent mail with no matches found. I then googled "getjudgement.com" and luckily enough that's where I found you! Thanks for saving me the trouble. Damn Craiglist phishers!

    Love all your posts on here. Thanks again!

    ~Kay

    BTW, did you ever get a response from Ms. Walsh?

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  5. I also received this email and thought it looked too fishy to follow through on. I'm glad I found your blog post to confirm my suspicions. I'm tempted to copy your reply and sent it to them...but I won't. I think I'll be more blunt. Too bad, I need a job!

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  6. Wow, how timely...
    http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2009/04/22/how-to-avoid-job-scams/?ncid=AOLCOMMjobsDYNLsec0002&icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl4|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fjobs.aol.com%2Farticles%2F2009%2F04%2F22%2Fhow-to-avoid-job-scams%2F%3Fncid%3DAOLCOMMjobsDYNLsec0002

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  7. I too received the same scam email from a craigslist response. I too thought it was for real but for the life of me could not find where I had responded to an admin assist position from my very thorough files I keep for my job search. Not knowing that maybe this was really something I should do I did go ahead and get my employment score as asked but then I went in and canceled my service with the consumerdirect.com within the time frame of the 5 free days of service. Hopefully it will not show up as a charge. Or if it does I will know then what to do.
    Thanks for posting this blog to confirm my suspicions. I still have not received any information from the company wanting me to interview.

    Cheryl C, Portland Oregon

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  8. i too got the same email today but it actually popped up in my spam folder initially! i too googled the email address and was brought to this blog! thanks for checking this out and posting so the rest of us could be aware!

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  9. Wow, I am so pissed about this email that has also come to my mailbox. You get so excited by the first sentence since I have been looking for months for a job and then the hammer is dropped by the bogus request. The things people come up with to get you to their site or to buy something. Also, be aware of a scam to send you a cashier's check that you are to pull out $450 for yourself wire the rest to them. I am sure this is another Craig's list scam. I guess I'll stick to the newspaper and contacting companies directly. Good Luck everyone.

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  10. I got the same email, thanks for posting this.

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  11. I got the same email from janice@getjudgement.com in response to a Arizona Craigslist posting.

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  12. Same in Phoenix AZ!!! How ridiculous. But I really appreciate you posting this. Saved me some emailing Ms. Walsh.

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  13. I got the same email today.. also, Phoenix. Being the suspicious person I am, I got my credit score direct from Experian just because I needed to know what it was and then I googled www.getjudgement.com and found you!

    Thanks for the heads up!

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  14. I got the same email today in Phoenix as well. Thank goodness there are ways to check out these creeps. It's sad there are so many people out there ready to prey on people who are out of work and have things tough enough already.

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  15. I got the same email ... I'm so in need of a job, I almost let this one pass. Thank god my better "judgment" overcame in the end. I googled Janice Walsh, and then getjudgment, where I found your post. Thank you!

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  16. I just got the same email today (in Seattle), so glad I found your blog, I had never heard of an employer needing a credit check before an interview, it just doesn't make sense. Thank you for posting this, looks like it's helped a lot of people out!

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  17. i got one in seattle too today! i thought it was a scam right away too! i emailed and asked if they could conmfirm the company they are from. lets see if they respond!

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  18. Thank you so much for your post. I also recieved the same email today in Seattle. It's so maddening that there are people out there trying to take advantage of job seekers. It's already hard enough to be in the position of looking for employment in this economy. I'm glad I was able to recognize something wasn't right about that email and that I found your blog to confirm it. Thanks again!

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  19. Thanks for the blog. Got this email today in Seattle, seemed like a scam, so glad I could confirm quickly. Too bad because I could use a job. Doesn't surprise me that they can't spell judgment, they probably aren't used to two-syllable words. And look at all those consonants together.... is that even a real word? Anyway keep on truckin' and don't give up on your search everyone!

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  20. I received the same email from Janice Walsh and also received the link to get my free credit score. However, when I clicked the link I was redirected to creditreport.com. I use them regularly so I had no problem just brining up my account. But I too was curious about the domain name (I work in the legal field so I picked up on the typo in "judg'e'ment") because I didn't remember replying to an ad listing anyone with the name Janice. When I googled the domain name I found this for confirmation that it's a scam. Thanks!

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  21. thank god you posted this blog! i just got the same one here in seattle. there is very little information on this and this blog is such a time saver!

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  22. Thank you so much for posting this. I responded to the email before I found this. I basically said, "who the hell are you?" I'm ticked because I responded to an ad the other day. It took you to a website that was some type of google page. I entered my info, pasted my complete resume and then hit send. Then I was directed to a website where the guy said he makes money following people on Twitter. URGH! I'm assuming my info is now plastered all over the place from this careless error I made. Again, thank you for posting this--it's the first thing that comes up when you search google for "getjudgement." (and yes, I caught the misspelling myself, which is why I figured it was bogus.) JERKS!!!!

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  23. Thank you! I just received the same e-mail today in San Diego. Just like everyone else I am pretty desperate for a job but the e-mail address sounded bogus so I checked it out. So glad I did!

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  24. I also got this email a couple of days ago. I clicked on the link, and entered in partial information, but when it asked for my credit card #, I closed the page. I then sent an email back to "Janice" with this:

    "I do not want to be rude, but how did I send my resume to you? I'm assuming it was through a blind ad, because I do not recognize the @getjudgement.com part of your email address. I would prefer to know, before I even think of sending my credit/employee report to a complete stranger. I just want to make sure this is not a scam."

    What do you know, I haven't gotten a response back from them. If an employer wants to run my report, then we can do this the proper way, of me filling out the paperwork in person for them to run it.

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  25. Thanks for all the feedback on this one guys! I think I'll add "Janice's" email addy to my Spambot™ page.

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  26. Add me to the list of folks who got this junk email. Trash can here it comes.

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  27. i just got the same email from a portland oregon craigslist add.

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  28. Wow. Thank you so much for posting this. I went through the same steps you did: i.e. researching my files (I keep everything), looking up the business, etc. Then I found this post. Extremely fishy.

    I really hope a lot of people don't fall for this.

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  29. Portland Oregon Craigslist ad as well.

    Nasty one, just convincing enough to go either way. Scam or just an employer that desparately needs the help of an admin assistant?

    Haha.

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  30. i just got that email and i am in austin, tx. thanks for posting this!

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  31. I just got this email today and I am West Palm Beach, Florida. This scam is outrageous!!!!!

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  32. Wow .. I just got this today and it said the very same thing!! I am outraged!I desperately need a job along with everyone else and for a moment I had my hopes up! These people piss me off!! - San Marcos, Texas

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  33. Thank you to everyone for bringing this to my attention. I received an email today and my gut was right, it is scam. I sent back an email asking the name of the company and the position they are hiring. We will see if they respond back.

    Thanks again,
    Linda, San Diego

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  34. Well,the scam is alive and well in Atlanta, Georgia. Got the email today and like all of you the hair went up on the back of my neck. Found this blog before doing anything, thank goodness.
    Thanks for posting this. These people should be hung for praying on poor out of work people.

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  35. Thank you so much for posting this. I'm really new into the business world and as soon as I went to the online credit report website, I was wary of putting in my SS# and my credit card, so I decided to google the getjudgement.com website to see if it was legit.

    Thankyou so much... probably saved me tons of money and future sanity.

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  36. Wow, thanks for putting it out there. I got the email from 'Janice' not too long ago but found this blog. Too bad I didn't read this earlier in the day though, because someone else 'applied' for the same thing I did. I clicked on the link for the application, it took me to a google page, and I pasted my info & resume. Then it went to a page about some guy that makes money online or something... Guess I shouldv'e known by the part that says 'This can be a work-from-home position for the right candidate." Here is the ad, from SD craigslist for an administrative assistant:

    "I need a full time administrative assistant for my photography and internet business.

    You will not be doing a photography or technical work, just daily office tasks.

    Looking for someone who has good verbal and written skills, good with computers, organized, and can multi-task.

    Please be at least 18 years old, looking for a long-term job, and ready to work ASAP.

    This can be a work-from-home position for the right candidate.

    If you want to apply for the job, please fill out the application here:

    http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=ckJXMllmRFp2dHE0R0QweE5aVk5TTGc6MA..

    PostingID: 1256845279"

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  37. Got the same email. A good rule of thumb for craigslist is - if the employer doesn't leave a legit email or contact info, ignore the posting.

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  38. Me too got the same email today July 16 2009. Thanks for this post - With increasing job cuts - I am glad you posted this information which saves millions of us looking for opportunities.

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  39. I recieved that email today, and I'm located in Chicago, IL.

    Thank you for posting your findings!

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  40. Thanks guys.I got the same e-mail.Of course i was really excited but then i googled it and i got you.
    Thanks!

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  41. Thanks to everyone who replied here. I just got the same email last week, and I also replied that I would not be able to attend the "interview Tuesday at 11:00," as no information was provided on who it was with, where it was or for what company. I also said if this was a reputable business that information would be available. Seriously, is this what our world has become? When looking for a job you get scammed? 7 out of 10 craigslist ads are scams in Chicago, at least that's what they have been in my experience since Nov. 2007 when I lost my job of 5 years. And, I completely agree, if a credit score is necessary to get a job, and you've been unemployed for quite a while, the score is going to go down, if there were a magical way to pay your bills on time with no money I don't think many of us would be looking for a job!! Argh, thanks again for posting this, it does help those of us that are desparate to find a job and want to believe that people are still hiring and our skills are wanted.

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  42. today i got the email... but somedays ago i go a email about a person that i have to recieve some check and everything, and i know thats seems nothing true so i checked on google and i just finf out was a scam and now everytime i apply for a job on craiglist and i have any response i go to google and i check the e mail..by the way on craiglist almost everything is scam...
    you guys should try snagjob.com

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  43. I got the same email today. Do these people really think we are that dumb?? Here is what I wrote back:

    "Ms. Walsh,

    I am having trouble determining which company with whom you are affiliated. Also, I don't quite understand why my credit score has anything to do with my ability to fulfill the needs associated with this position. In fact, the more I think about it, I realize this is just simply your way of obtaining ones personal information so you can scam an innocent person. I will happily deline this "offer" for an interview and I truly hope the authories catch wind of this ridiculous scam.

    Thank you and have a wonderful day!
    -Amy"

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  44. Thank you for posting this info. This was truly helpful. :)

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  45. Just received this email, crushing my spirits after weeks of searching for a job in Philadelphia. Googled the domain name of the email of "Janice" and discovered this truly helpful site. Thanks for assuring me it was a scam.

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  46. Thanks for posting this! I just got an email from the same address and had the exact same suspicions as you.

    Muah!
    Michael B. (Portland, OR)

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  47. My wife receive the same email in Houston. No company name or phone number told me it was a scam right off the bat but this site confirmed it. Thanks Janet

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  48. Same email.....Philadelphia, PA.

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  49. Got the same thing here in Round Rock Texas...Applied to a craigslist posting and then I was sent a few days later this bullcorn e-mail about an interview with the time and bring your credit score bullcorn...Sending the original CL ad for the job and then the e-mail from janice to my State Attorney Generals office......

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  50. Same email... Philadelphia. Thanks for posting this!

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  51. I just got the same email here in Seattle. So glad I found your posts when I googled the email address! It didn't sound right to ask for an "employment/credit score". My fear is that they now have my whole resume with employment history, address & phone number. And don't you need to use your SSN to get your credit report? This may be a big stolen identity scam. I don't think I'll be applying to any blind ads on Craigslist anymore.

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  52. Same as everyone else, this one in Sacramento, CA. Sad part is, there are legit ads on craigslist... Unfortunately douchebags like this insist on preying on people who are already down on their luck. Pathetic...

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  53. Same here in Jonesboro, Ga. I'm in a wheelchair. Sad...

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  54. I already had my credit score so stupid me e-mailed Janice and told her my score was poor, (around 530). I told her I was an excellent employee but if the credit score was critical, well I'm out. I asked her how she would like to proceed. Can't the law stop people like this? I should have known better, but hard times you know.......

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  55. Today is August 27th. I used the return response in this site for "janice" WTF? I DO have an appt. tommorrow @ that same time. I called the office and they insisted that it had nothing to do with them. It better not. Im close to the edge already in tearing out a new hole for somebody!

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  56. Thank you, I read that email right before i went in for third shift the night before my "interview" and oddly enough I met with a Janis here in my city one week ago about a security position. I was actually going to go to that office after doing the credit check. thank God for google and you.

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  57. what was the craig's list posting?

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  58. Oddly, I got a response from this Janice Walsh about an interview (again, in response to a CL ad), but no indication that they wanted my credit score. Instead, she noted that "...our company policy now requires us to verify all applicants IQ scores before being hired..." along with a link to a 2 minute IQ test.

    I'm guessing there must be some kind of affiliate link to that IQ test page, based on what I'm reading here, and am writing it off as a scam.

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  59. I just got the same one in New York. Seems they have switched tactics, and are now asking you to take an "IQ" test.

    Good luck to my fellow job searchers.

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  60. Thx for posting this. I too got the same email in response to a CL ad. Just last week, while listening to Talk Radio, the rant was re: this very subject: his aversion to job posters demanding a credit check. I agree with him, most potential employees, especially in this economy, will work hard for the $$. Whether he is frugal with his paycheck outside of the workplace is none of their business. Job performance is all that matters. I have excellent credit and am offended at the idea of having to prove myself in this intrusive manner.

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  61. Well y'all can add me to the list of would-be suckers. I'm here in Atlanta, GA and I just checked my email and saw something about a job interview and was like "Yes, finally something came thru!!!" And just like y'all, I went thru all my saved job apps and didn't find any of them with the "getjudgement" domain, so I googled it and found this...I was so depressed!!! And they have changed it...they're now requesting you to take an IQ test...I was like, "what kind of job really asks for that?" Sad thing is, I keep on going back to Craigslist even though I know they have some bogus bullsh*t on there because I actually did find a legit temp gig on there before...makes me angry that people actually find/take the time to do this crap...glad I know better!!!

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  62. I just sent an email to this Janice character. This person wanted me to take an IQ test that requires your cellular phone number [which will be charged a monthly fee] in order to get your scores. I searched my sent mail and realized that I didn't send a resume to any Jane from a getjudgement.com

    Thank you for posting this. It's great to know that I wasn't the only one that was nearly scammed.

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  63. Same thing, I responded to an administrative assistant ad on craigslist in Austin, TX. The IQ score, along with NO company information at all for an 11 o'clock interview raised hairs on the back of my neck. Sadly, I guess my cell phone number will be plastered everywhere, as it was in my resume. I really appreciate this site, had I not found it I may have compounded my lapse in judgement.

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  64. Thanks for the post- just got the exact same thing, and started the exact search you did and found your blog. Mine was on Atlanta, GA's craigslist though- but still the exact same. Thanks for saving me the time! :)

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  65. Awww, I thought I had a job interview coming up soon. Look as if I am not the only one receiving this email making it seem as if my search for a job has come true. Janice has done it again my interview was set for this coming Thursday @ 11. I know that I’ll be moving from Chicago to Atlanta within the next month but how did they know. I think that maybe some of the jobs that I did apply for is link to a scam w/Janice Walsh & Company It seems as if all I had to do was to confirm if you can make this time and date as soon as possible. I know that I have been applying for jobs listed on Craigslist but can’t remember or forgot a few of the jobs I did apply for, ext time I’ll make a note of day & time of jobs that applied for. Thanks for having this info posted for others can dig further on Janice Walsh. Again, thanks for having this available for people digging deeper into a job posting on Craigslist.

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  66. well.....me too, yes I got the same email from dear ole Janice, my appt is Friday @ 11:00 (ha) But before I checked anything out...I was so excited & I did the credit thing and then sent her my scores. Well what a bummer !!!
    I am in Frisco, TX
    You know it could be an attempt just to get people to do the freecreditreport but we all know it isn't free unless you cancel within so many days.

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  67. I'm from the Portland, OR area and I just received a similar e-mail about an hour ago. What employer asks for a freaking IQ test? People are trying to find real jobs and instead are getting screwed over by jerks like "Janice." Fantastic. I'm glad I found this blog. I figured it was a scam but it's nice to know for sure.

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  68. I just got one of these from a response to a craigslist job ad in Houston, TX. It stated, "Upon review of the resume you sent us, we would like to bring you in for an interview this friday at 11:00am." Asked for me to confirm the appt ASAP and by the way, follow the link we're providing you to take a bloody IQ Test @ fastiqscore.com. The email name was "Human Resources" and of course from Janice Walsh. The email has no company information or contact information what so ever so I decided to look up IP's, emails, etc. when it led me to this which confirmed my hunch. It is truly a shame that so many opportunist take advantage of people searching for jobs.

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  69. Janice at getjudgement.com is still out there, I recieve and email from her asking for an IQ test for fre employement purposes! I became highly suspicious! I have been tested and thank goodness I'm somewhat above average, and is the reason I followed this blog! Beware, they are out there still! September 22, 2009 I recieved her email! This was also for a job I applied for on craigslist.com.

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  70. Hey all,
    My friend who was looking for some better through craigslist paying labor job got an email from Janice at judgement.com . Yes they have got the spelling right this time. The email even confirmed the date and time for interview..jeez!

    I have been googling for an hour to find out more info about this judgement.com and lucky to have come across your profile. This is certainly a scam to either get a person's personal info or make them pay for the credit check.

    Thanks a lot Janet for typing your experience with this spam email.

    Regards
    Madhukar

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  71. Another victim in Seattle. I've been unemployed for nearly two years and something like this is frustrating. It reeks of a scam but I actually did apply to said Office Assistant position. I only apply to positions that look legitimate and honestly feel a little duped.

    The email address in question is susan@performancestaffers.com. I'm kinda freaked out that this weirdo has my resume...

    I clicked the link to see what is was, and the page didn't load.

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  72. I received a similar email in Austin TX directing me to fastiqscore.com which i immediately flagged as a scam! Don't they know it's as easy as googling the address to determine if it's real or not? My email however was from one Susan Henderson but identical email content. So becareful bacause they just changed the name of the person!

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  73. I too got this email from susan@performance staffers. In order to set an interview I was told to take an IQ test from an illigitimate company that would bill my cell phone $9.99 a month for signing up. I will definitely be more cautious while applying to jobs on Cragslist. Thank you for your initial post. Very enlightening!

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  74. Got this one. What some dumb shit!

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  75. I also applyed for an office assistant position on craigslist here in Sacramento, CA and received an interview notice for Tuesday @ 11am from susan@performancestaffers.com. They also wanted me to take an IQ test as well and the email did not state any information about the company. Watch out for this ad. It looks authentic but it's not.

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