Are these real jobs or SCAMS?

We had a conversation with someone yesterday; the person thought it was curious that so many “similar-sounding” job listings (posted below) appeared at the Lancaster craigslist. Each has a relatively high pay rate for a customer service representative. And each one had masked the contact information. Persons applying for each of these jobs have no idea who the contact is; if the posting is a legitimate job or who is on the receiving end of the email response.

We understand that many hiring companies have gone to this “blind destination” practice. Ostensibly this is practiced by companies who, for one reason or another, do not want to be openly besieged by applicants.

But the verbiage in each of the “jobs” is so similar and nondescript that it suggests a “job scam,” of sorts. If these are “real jobs” we wonder why every listing is so much like the other. And what exactly are the tasks and skill sets for a Customer Service Representative?

These are difficult times for lots of job-seekers and if these listings are legitimate, why not tell folks who they’ll be working for? If the jobs are scams (some of the postings have the same typographical errors in them), shame on the posters … preying on those in desperation is a most despicable action.

Customer Service Representative (Columbia)

We are seeking a Customer Service Representative. We are a company in search of a career minded, goal oriented individual to help facilitate our steadily expanding growth. An individual must have good written and verbal communication skills and must be computer literate with good typing skills.

• Location: Columbia
• Compensation: $17 – $20 per hour
• Telecommuting is ok.
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Customer Service Representative (Adamstown)

Fulltime position needs to be filled, we’re in need of Customer Service Representatives to deal exclusively with clients. Suitable prospect needs to have understanding of relevant pc software, Word, Excel and also other processing systems. Be ableto take initiative and have stress tolerance. No experience required.

• Location: Adamstown
• Compensation: $16 – $18 per hour
• Telecommuting is ok.
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Partime / Full time We are looking for a bright, dependable, customer oriented person to join our team. Must be able to work independently and excellent phone skills are a must. Looking for motivated people to start immediately. If you are interested get back to us with your resume or covered letter to sandramysteryjob@gmail.com

• This is a part-time job.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Partime / Full time We are looking for a bright, dependable, customer oriented person to join our team. Must be ableto work independently and excellent phone skills are a must. Looking for motivated people to start immediately. If you are interested get back to us with your resume or covered letter to sandramysteryjob@gmail.comCompensation: $400 per assignment.

• This is a part-time job.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Customer Service Representative (Gordonville)

We are searching Full Time Customer Service Reps (Bilingual applicants are encouraged to submit an application). We offer comprehensive training, very competitive pay and awesome benefits. If what we have to feature sounds eye-catching to you, we want to talk with you!

• Location: Gordonville
• Compensation: $16.25/hr
• Telecommuting is ok.
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Customer Service Representative (Silver Spring)

Customer service reps needed, this is a full time position. Must be extremely, warm and friendly, look good and a fantastic communicator. Should be a go-getter who enjoys talking with people. Should have enough understanding of basic Ms softwares; Ms Word, Excel and Ms Power Point.

Location: Silver Spring

• Compensation: $17 – $20 per hour
• Telecommuting is ok.
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Customer Service Representative (Drumore)

Our company has opening for customer service agents. This is a full-time customer service job. Candidates should be extremely motivated, diligent self-starters who understand quickly and not shy away from hard work. No experience needed. Training will be provided.

• Location: Drumore
• Compensation: $16 – $18 per hour
• Telecommuting is ok.
• OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

We concluded that the announced compensation scale in this job posting seemed more realistic, though the typographical miscues are bothersome.

Our advice is the same advice that Amish elder, Eli Lapp, gave to John Book in the movie, Witness: “You be careful out among the English.”

Customer Service Representative (Mount Joy)

Customer Service Specialist needed for Mount joy business. Work references and your qualifications needed. Employee duties include customer database entry, customer billing, a hard working attitude towards work, phone handling experience, making client packets, someone who works hard, adjustable, typing 35 wpm, full-Time & operating a fax machine. Write us if you’re interested.

• Location: Mount joy
• Compensation: $10.00
• Telecommuting is ok.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.