Fresh Start Sites (Their Name May Just Be Used)
Complaint 201654 Details

I also received an email via Odesk that says:

Dear Applicant,
Our company has reviewed your "RESUME" from oDesk.

Stated below are the vacancies:
Web Design, Customer service, data entry,Customer service/Administrative position,Office manager and Accounting officer.

All you need to do right now is to add "Ms Susan Brooks" on yahoo messenger for your interview today Thursday 01/17/2013 .. Time 8am - 4pm, Monday - Friday.

Her yahoo messenger ID is ([email protected] ) Add her right now she will be online waiting to have you interviewed.

Best regards
Recruitment Officer.

I went along with it. Though I was cautious, gave them my signature when they asked me to sign the employment letter that reads:

81 C Lewis Ave.
Albertville, AL 35951
Phone 256-606-8518
www. freshstartsites.com


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT LETTER

Date: 01/17/2013

Dear: (they used my full name)

We are pleased to confirm you’re being employed by our firm in the capacity of Accounting, Customer service and Data Entry Clerk. You will report directly to “Ms Susan Brooks” commencing with your start of employment on 01/17/2013

Your salary shall be $ 18.7 per hour and training $ 15.7 you will also be covered by the standard group benefit plans and fringe benefits, which will be explained to you. For the first year vacation time shall be pro-rated, so you will be entitled to 30 Working days’ vacation for this year.

If you agree, please sign the enclosed copy and return for our files.
We look forward to your joining the company.




Employee's Signature

Yours very truly,
Ms Susan Brooks.
Hiring Manager


I tried calling the telephone number but it only rings once and then a busy signal follows. I asked her a lot of questions but she got mad because she said I was skeptical and that I am showing bad manners now. She was very rude, unprofessional, and she does not have correct grammar. It made me think that she's not from the US and even when she knows English, she does not have a good command with the language. Her communication skills are downright poor. When I gave her the letter with my signature attached (dumb of me for not making up one), she then told me that I need to buy a software from the "company's vendor". She keeps on repeating "The company will provide you a free Hp laptop with a fast internet connection and your W4 form will be coming along with the working materials you need to start working with.Therefore you are needed to make purchase for the software programs you need to start working with and the company will have you reimbursed for the order of the software programs.You are to make the purchase for the programs from the company certified vendor, this is beacause the company does not specialized on the software programs.The company certified vendor that is the third party to the company she will have them install with disc and shipped to you overnight via FedEx". She keeps on verifying my answers with the "HR".

Also, she made me register with www.ziprecruiter.com and she asked for my username and password. Odd!!!

Here is the transcript of our chat:

12:10:28 PM
Aeg Interview: Whats your full name, age, sex, and where are you located?
12:11:14 PM
Me: [My name], ** years old, Female and located in **, **
12:13:02 PM
Aeg Interview: Why do you want this job and how long have you been looking for this job?
12:15:24 PM
Me: I want this job because I know that I can be an asset to your company and it's a work at home which is really good since I am a mother. I have been doing freelance financial balancing and a little bit of tax preparation. I have been looking for a work at home job for a year.
12:16:00 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok, Are you seeking for a full or part time position?
12:17:06 PM
Me: I am looking for a full time position, a job that counts me as an employee and not a contractor.
12:17:20 PM
Aeg Interview: Alright.
12:17:41 PM
Aeg Interview: Have you worked or handle any among this position before? Accounting,Data Entry,customer service and Payroll.
12:18:58 PM
Me: Yes I have except for payroll.
12:19:10 PM
Aeg Interview: Are you aware that this job is online job work from home?
12:19:40 PM
Me: Yes I am, based on the information you have provided earlier
12:19:46 PM
Aeg Interview: Are you currently employed?
12:20:23 PM
Me: I am employed part-time
12:20:34 PM
Me: like a contractor
12:20:49 PM
Aeg Interview: Will you be able to devote 8 hours of your time to this company daily?
12:21:12 PM
Me: Yes I can
12:22:22 PM
Aeg Interview: Do you have a Printer, Fax Machine,Scanner and a Photocopier?
12:22:34 PM
Me: Yes I have them all
12:23:13 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok
12:23:17 PM
Aeg Interview: What do you understand by privacy and code of conduct?
12:23:42 PM
Me: That means I cannot share any information to a third party
12:25:30 PM
Aeg Interview: Excellent!
12:25:49 PM
Aeg Interview: Do you know your clerical speed?
12:27:25 PM
Me: I am fairly fast as long as I know what I am doing. Are you referring to the typing speed, words per minute?
12:27:58 PM
Aeg Interview: Yes
12:28:34 PM
Me: I have forgotten it but I can always get a new one online. Would you like me to do a test right now and send you the result?
12:29:09 PM
Aeg Interview: Don't worry about that. Do you have an idea of how to use ms excel?
12:29:23 PM
Me: Yes I do
12:29:28 PM
Aeg Interview: If you are been hired by the company, How would you like to be Paid ? Weekly Or Bi-Weekly ?
12:30:03 PM
Me: Bi-Weekly
IM Jan 17, 2013 12:34:27 PM
12:30:13 PM
Aeg Interview: What means of Payment do you prefer ? Check, Direct Deposit.
12:30:30 PM
Me: Direct deposit
12:30:45 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok, What is the name of your bank?
12:30:55 PM
Me: [I gave the name of bank, just the name]
12:32:14 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok, can i have your email address?
12:32:33 PM
Me: [gave my e-mail address too]
12:32:50 PM
Aeg Interview: I need you to Hold on online while i forward your interview answers to the HR board for proper review and consideration.Okay ?
12:34:02 PM
Me: Okay, not a problem
12:34:17 PM
Aeg Interview: Make sure you are beside your computer ok
12:34:27 PM
Me: Yes, I won't go anywhere
IM Jan 17, 2013 1:27:38 PM
1:06:16 PM
Aeg Interview: Well due to your level of experience in the Accounting/ Admnistrative Assistant/ Data Entry/Customer Service field,The company has decided to keep you as one of our staff,And that is why you are been asked to get on for the job briefing and interview.
1:06:30 PM
Aeg Interview: Congratulations!!!
1:06:40 PM
Me: Yes, I saw the email. Thank you so much!
1:07:07 PM
Aeg Interview: Great!
1:07:21 PM
Aeg Interview: You are to start work immediately due to the rate of clients we have at hand.
1:07:38 PM
Me: okay
1:08:38 PM
Aeg Interview: The company will provide you a free Hp laptop with a fast internet connection and your W4 form will be coming along with the working materials you need to start working with.Therefore you are needed to make purchase for the software programs you need to start working with and the company will have you reimbursed for the order of the software programs.You are to make the purchase for the programs from the company certified vendor, this is beacause the company does not specialized on the software programs.The company certified vendor that is the third party to the company she will have them install with disc and shipped to you overnight via FedEx.
1:11:56 PM
Me: How can I purchase the software and how much does it cost?
1:12:57 PM
Aeg Interview: The company's Vendor, is a private individual the company has been buying from for years now.
1:13:42 PM
Aeg Interview: The cost of the software is $412.12 along with the shipping cost.
1:16:02 PM
Aeg Interview: All you need to do is to kindly have the money sent to him so that he will have all the software installed in your Hp Laptop the company will provide for you to do this job and have them shipped to you Via FedEx overnight delivery Ok.
1:16:37 PM
Me: Who is he and how do I contact him?
1:17:58 PM
Aeg Interview: I just told you she's a private individual, which the company has been buying from for years now.
1:18:20 PM
Me: Yes but you haven't given me the name or how to contact him/her
1:19:38 PM
Aeg Interview: Do you have a pen and a paper with you so that you can have her information down?
1:19:58 PM
Me: I'm in the computer, I can type it down
1:21:40 PM
Aeg Interview: Here is the vendor's infomation:
Name....Sylvia Brown
Address .. 117 Aqua crt
State..South Carolina
City..Columbia
Zip code...29203
1:21:56 PM
Me: What company is she in?
1:22:19 PM
Aeg Interview: She's a private individual.
1:24:05 PM
Aeg Interview: all you need to do is to send her the money so that she can have all the software installed and have them shipped to you via Fedex overnight delivery.
1:24:34 PM
Aeg Interview: I will be here to provide you with a FedEx tracking # for your working equipment.
1:24:59 PM
Aeg Interview: The working equipment you will be receiving are: Registered company HP Laptop, Printer, scanner,copier and fast internet connection.
1:25:55 PM
Me: I understand. I apologize but I don't have $412.12. And should the company just provide me with all that for free or via salary deduction?
1:26:14 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok Hold.
1:27:26 PM
Aeg Interview: Let me discuss it with the HR Ok
1:27:35 PM
Me: Okay
1:27:38 PM
Aeg Interview: I think you will be considered Ok
1:33:20 PM
Aeg Interview: You are really, a Lucky woman.
1:34:06 PM
Aeg Interview: The company has decided to mail out a check for you to make all the purchase from the Company's Vendor.
1:36:51 PM
Aeg Interview: Before you start work you will recieve a payment ,you will be using this payment to set up your mini office by purchasing accounting software plus the shippng logistics,cos we will be sending you some equipment you will be needing to start work with, immediately you get this payment you start work .
1:38:26 PM
Aeg Interview: Hello, Are you still there?
1:38:28 PM
Aeg Interview: <ding>
1:38:50 PM
Me: Yes I am, I am just waiting for all the information that I should know from you
1:39:29 PM
Aeg Interview: The company will issue you a check to enable you purchase all the softwares and EQUIPMENT you need to start work with.
1:39:40 PM
Me: Yes I got that, thank you
1:39:55 PM
Aeg Interview: NOTE: All softwares are to be purchased from the company certisfied vendor, which the company has been buying from for years now.
1:40:06 PM
Me: I understand that one too
1:40:54 PM
Aeg Interview: You are to take your startup check to your bank atm machine or through teller and have it deposited.
1:41:09 PM
Me: Yes I know how it works
1:41:58 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok
1:42:39 PM
Aeg Interview: It takes 24 hours to clear a check from our accounting department, as soon as the funds are made available in your account, withdraw it and have it sent to the company's vendor so that he will have your working equipment shipped to you via FedEx overnight delivery for you to start your training asap.
1:42:59 PM
Me: Does she have a phone number or email address?
1:43:39 PM
Aeg Interview: No.. Don't worry about that, i can always reach her Ok.
1:43:58 PM
Aeg Interview: She's always a busy person
1:44:20 PM
Me: So how will I contact her? Mail her a letter? Why can't you mail her the check directly?
1:45:23 PM
Aeg Interview: Do you know how many applicants she attend to daily? How can she handle so many checks .
1:45:53 PM
Me: If that's the case, then how can she handle the check that I send to her
1:45:53 PM
Aeg Interview: The check is been mailed to you to also know how capable you are handling company's funds.
1:46:30 PM
Aeg Interview: [my name].. I'm not sure you are understanding all my messages.
1:47:15 PM
Aeg Interview: Please, read this messages carefully.
1:47:16 PM
Aeg Interview: You are to take your startup check to your bank atm machine or through teller and have it deposited.

It takes 24 hours to clear a check from our accounting department, as soon as the funds are made available in your account, withdraw it and have it sent to the company's vendor so that he will have your working equipment shipped to you via FedEx overnight delivery for you to start your training asap.
1:48:23 PM
Me: I am understanding your messages quite fine, what I am confused about is you're not understanding my messages. I understand that statement quite well. if I am going to send a letter to the company's vendor with a check and you told me she is very busy, how can she process the check I sent to her?
1:50:13 PM
Me: Shouldn't it be more practical for the company to send her the check directly?
1:50:45 PM
Aeg Interview: You are not going to send her a check.. you are to take your startup check to your bank and have it deposited in your account.
1:50:55 PM
Me: Yes
1:51:18 PM
Me: Then How will she get the money? Send a letter with cash on it?
1:52:29 PM
Aeg Interview: As soon as the funds are made available in your account, you are to withdraw the funds and have it sent to her via MoneyGram with her info you have with you.
1:52:54 PM
Me: You said you already mailed me the check, when will I receive it?
1:53:10 PM
Aeg Interview: I never said i have mailed it.
1:53:35 PM
Me: Yes you did.
Aeg Interview: The check is been mailed to you to also know how capable you are handling company's funds.
1:54:23 PM
Aeg Interview: I mean to say, it will be mailed to you.
1:54:32 PM
Aeg Interview: It hasn't been mailed.
1:54:38 PM
Me: Okay
1:54:44 PM
Aeg Interview: Pardon me with that mistake.
1:55:06 PM
Aeg Interview: In the mean time, I need you to provide me with the following info so my secretary can put you to register....
Full name:
Home address:
State:
City:
Zip Code:
Cell and home number.
1:56:40 PM
Me: Full name: **
Home address: **
State: **
City: **
Zip Code: **
Cell and home number: **
1:57:19 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok.. hold while i have you registered ok.
2:06:44 PM
Aeg Interview: Registered.
2:07:07 PM
Aeg Interview: I will need you to report online by 8am your time tomorrow morning for your job update.
2:07:48 PM
Me: Will I report to you?
2:08:28 PM
Aeg Interview: Yes.
2:08:38 PM
Aeg Interview: Would you have any reason not to get online with me tomorrow by 8am for your update?
2:09:01 PM
Me: No, I just want to make sure. Is it still via chat?
2:09:08 PM
Aeg Interview: Yes.
2:09:49 PM
Me: Should I be expecting a check in the mail tomorrow?.
2:10:56 PM
Aeg Interview: No.. I will let you know by tomorrow when you will be receiving it ok
2:11:12 PM
Me: okay
2:11:25 PM
Aeg Interview: That will be all for today.. have a great day.
2:11:50 PM
Me: Do you by any chance have Skype?
2:12:23 PM
Aeg Interview: No.. i don't use that.
2:12:57 PM
Aeg Interview: Chatting on here, is that not enough by you?
2:13:12 PM
Aeg Interview: Why skype?
2:14:01 PM
Me: Skype is a business oriented chat service, though some people use it to call. I primarily use it for business chats. I'm just wondering.
2:14:34 PM
Me: if you prefer to use yahoo messenger, that is okay.
2:15:33 PM
Aeg Interview: Yahoo messenger is okay
2:16:04 PM
Me: Alright. See you tomorrow Susan!
2:17:11 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok then.
3:58:42 PM
Aeg Interview: I will be going for a meeting now.
3:58:57 PM
Aeg Interview: I hope tomorrow is a deal right?
3:59:13 PM
Me: Yes, I will be online tomorrow at 8am
3:59:17 PM
Aeg Interview: Ok
3:59:33 PM
Aeg Interview: Have a lovely evening.
3:59:46 PM
Me: You too. See you tomorrow.
IM Jan 18, 2013 8:22:05 AM
8:01:21 AM
Me: Good Morning. I am already in and waiting for you.
8:04:55 AM
Aeg Interview: Good morning!
8:05:07 AM
Aeg Interview: How are you doing today?
8:05:18 AM
Me: I am okay. How are you?
8:05:25 AM
Aeg Interview: I'm fine.
8:06:17 AM
Aeg Interview: I just got a message from the accounting department.. Your startup check would be mail out today, and you will be receiving it on Tuesday.
8:06:39 AM
Aeg Interview: I will provide you with a FedEx tracking # for it on Monday Ok
8:06:59 AM
Me: Okay.
8:07:39 AM
Aeg Interview: You are going to undergo a task to know how capable you are in working for the company Ok.
8:08:04 AM
Aeg Interview: You are going to post job adds on ziprecruiter.
8:09:43 AM
Aeg Interview: You will create a job description on Accounting,Data Entry,customer service and Payroll. When you have finished creating the job description on that, i will like to take a view of it before you start posting Ok
8:10:20 AM
Aeg Interview: <ding>
8:10:28 AM
Aeg Interview: Are you still there?
8:10:48 AM
Me: Yes. I am just waiting for all you have to say.
8:11:25 AM
Aeg Interview: I will provide you with an email address which you are going to make use of Ok.
8:12:25 AM
Me: You have to tell me more about the company and the departments for me to be able to write a job description for these. For example, customer service. I cannot just make up a description not knowing what they do and what mode of communications they use to assists clients or customers
8:13:51 AM
Aeg Interview: Ok.. First of all, i need you to register with ziprecruiter and let me know when you are done so that i can provide you with the job description.
8:14:26 AM
Me: what is the website URL?
8:15:14 AM
Aeg Interview: www.ziprecruiter.com
8:15:45 AM
Me: I Have a question, I am already hired by the company right?
8:16:19 AM
Aeg Interview: Yes.. didn't you got your employment letter yesterday in your email?
8:17:07 AM
Me: Yes I did, I am just wondering about what you said "You are going to undergo a task to know how capable you are in working for the company Ok."
8:17:35 AM
Aeg Interview: Yes.. You have to went through this task
8:17:46 AM
Aeg Interview: Are you not capable working for the company?
8:17:55 AM
Aeg Interview: Are you a lazy type?
8:18:35 AM
Me: I am, I am just confused and want to make sure.
8:18:45 AM
Aeg Interview: Ok
8:21:46 AM
Me: I am done
8:21:56 AM
Aeg Interview: Have you registered?
8:22:05 AM
Me: yes as an employer
8:22:28 AM
Aeg Interview: Good. Can i have the username and password that you used in registering?
8:22:46 AM
Me: Why?
8:23:08 AM
Aeg Interview: I will have it forwarded to the HR for proper review.
8:23:15 AM
Aeg Interview: Why are you asking me why?
8:23:26 AM
Aeg Interview: What kind of question are you asking me?
8:23:45 AM
Me: [gave username]. PW: **
8:23:55 AM
Aeg Interview: Hold.
8:25:55 AM
Aeg Interview: Now, try and see if you can be able to search for applicants resume and verify your account there.
8:31:12 AM
Me: I just did and I received:

Thank you for your interest in the ZipRecruiter Resume Database.

Your account will be reviewed and you will receive a response within one business day.
8:31:55 AM
Aeg Interview: Ok.. Lets wait and see what happens then.
8:32:25 AM
Me: Am I going to wait for a day?
8:32:44 AM
Aeg Interview: Yes.. You have to wait for tomorrow OK
8:33:13 AM
Aeg Interview: You have to get online with me tomorrow by 8am.
8:33:56 AM
Me: So, will I be paid whol;e day today? I thought work is only monday-friday. Tomorrow is saturday, are you not going to take a day off?
8:34:39 AM
Aeg Interview: You are not going to work for the full day.. just to see if they have approved you.
8:35:50 AM
Me: okay. There should not be a reason. What is our company's contact information?
8:36:11 AM
Aeg Interview: It is on your letter.
8:36:35 AM
Me: But the website says otherwise
8:36:59 AM
Aeg Interview: What did it say?
8:37:40 AM
Me: You can check for yourself to verify, I may be wrong
8:38:18 AM
Aeg Interview: The info that you saw there is where we have our head office at.
8:38:40 AM
Me: Where are you right now?
8:38:48 AM
Aeg Interview: I'm in AL
8:38:54 AM
Aeg Interview: Why all this questions?
8:39:19 AM
Aeg Interview: Look, if you are skeptical about this position, you can decline ok
8:39:25 AM
Me: I want to make sure I have the information that I want to know.
8:39:32 AM
Aeg Interview: You ask alot of questions.
8:39:43 AM
Aeg Interview: Why are you skeptical?
8:39:48 AM
Me: Susan, a good employee should ask questions.
8:40:12 AM
Aeg Interview: Yes.. but you sounds Skeptical, and i feel bad about that.
8:43:09 AM
Me: Susan, I am a good and hard working employee, I am a good person as well. Everyone in the internet is skeptical until proven otherwise. I want to make sure that this is a legitimate job and that I am not wasting my time. I have dealt with companies and professionals. I also have HR experience and Hiring experience and so far the hiring process that you have is none compared to the one I am knowledgable about. Also, the letter stated that I should report to Susan Brooks Hiring Manager
8:43:58 AM
Aeg Interview: And so what?
8:44:25 AM
Aeg Interview: Are you trying to teach me my job?
8:44:40 AM
Me: I am sorry but you are far from professional. You sound like you are someone from China, India or other countries
8:44:56 AM
Me: I am teaching you, I am expressing my views
8:45:15 AM
Me: I mean I am not teaching you
8:45:32 AM
Aeg Interview: I think you have started talking without manners now.
8:45:41 AM
Aeg Interview: And i will not accept that.
8:46:09 AM
Aeg Interview: Please i'm busy right now, i will talk to you some other time.
8:46:15 AM
Aeg Interview: Thank you for your time.
8:46:51 AM
Me: Thank you for your time as well. Please note that you appear offline. See you tomorrow. i will be waiting for the package.



Hopefully, those of you who received similar emails will find this complaint here. You're not alone.