Complaint Review: New Options Resources

This is a report regarding "New Option Resources" in the Jain Professional Bldg. in Bolingbrook, IL. This is a HUGE SCAM affiliated to AKE Safety Equipment LLC. (refer to the ROR report on that company to learn more). In my attempts to find a job to bring in some steady income while looking for a more permanent career I decided that I would try answering a newspaper listing (spec. ELGIN COURIER, similar listings in other local papers) that in hindsight was shaky to begin with. Promises of "up to $19/hr" and a management training program were phrases in the ad.

I called the number and was immediately scheduled for an interview. The phone operator wanted to know if I could come in that day! but I had reservations and wanted to do research on the company. I was scheduled to meet the following day. 3 things they wanted me to bring were: a photo id, 3 references, and $50 dollars cash or blank money order for a "background check". BTW a google search of "New Option Resources" brought up no website, no phone number, and even on this site no complaint so I decided to go and check them out in person.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a "Mr. Resto" (not sure if that's a pseudonym) who asked me to sign-in and then inquired if I had brought the 3 items requested by the operator particularly the $50 cash. I told him that I was uncomfortable with the request and could not recall a single job that I had interviewed for in the past that required me to pay for my own background check. He told me that not having the 3 items was an expression of my unpreparedness for interviewing and almost made me go to the ATM to withdraw money. Anyways, after some side-stepping, I told him I had the money and would wait until after my "interview" before deciding whether or not the "opportunity" was for me.

I was early and was asked to fill-out a cursory application while I waited for my interview. The office conference room was filled with cheap furniture and in the corner some different models of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors that this company purports to sell were displayed on a book shelf.

"Mr. Resto" began the "orientation" to the company explaining their affiliation with AKE Safety Equipment and the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) and briefly got into describing their product line. At this time a young woman walked-in who I assume was also scheduled in the same manner. Before continuing "Mr. Resto", asked me to leave because he "could tell this opportunity was not for me" and called me some various vulgarities on the way out the door. Before leaving, I made sure the secretary shredded my application and the photo copy of my license. After looking up their affiliate company AKE on this site I am glad that I was ushered out the door before they wasted anymore of my time and didn't get my $50 or anything else of value from me!

BEWARE according the AKE report on this site, AKE has a number of these so-called affiliates opening up offices here and there and operating in the same manner. I hope this a help to fellow job-seekers like myself. Best of Luck!

New grad.
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.