Complaint Review: The Free Lancer Academy

I responded to a craigslist ad looking for website designers, no experience neccessary but would certify you if need be. I got a call the next day from Chelsea G Burrus about the position. She offered me $20/hour, seemed relatively legit (mentioned freelancing needing I9, asked about time commitments, etc.), and offered me a job within 20 minutes, she said I would need to pay 15% of the certification fee, when the ad says certification would be paid for.

I was on edge at this point, so I looked up the number she texted me off of, signed: Chelsea B, West Gate Design, Hiring Manager. I found her facebook and linkedin, both of which had no mention of West Gate Design, and she had work experience beginning in the last 3 months (so it couldn't have been she forgot to update). I followed the link to thefreelanceracademy.com, and saw the price tag for a 6 hour course of $475, which definitely got me more suspicious.

I found a report on ripoffreport of that course being absolute trash, and not getting work through it, but the business name was changed and it was dated about 6 days ago. I responded to her text that I knew it was a scam and if they wanted to pay the full cost I would do it, but radio silence. There are no glassdoor reviews of this company, no linkedin, no website, no nothing. Save your money and stay away.