I got a call about a "dream job" for which I'm objectively underqualified, but agreed to take a look at the job description from an email, the call was from a very broken english (which to me speaks of a very unprepared employee or an unprofessional company) and had a hard time understanding the questions, the call was about 8 minutes long and had very standard questions.
the job description was VERY brief, and described very simplistic the role, the position usually requires at least seniority, and they where asking for only 2 years of experience in a mayor company (fortune 500) and I'm currently an entry-level in experience (mini redflag #2)
I got a second call after sending my updated resume (pretty standard too) and at this second interview by phone, with a supervisor, I was asked about my background, experience, and lastly about wheter im allowed to work in the US legally, I answered yes... (pretty standard question, again)
then they began requesting my birth date and LAST 4 digitl os Social Security # (mayor red flag) (the last 4 numbers are random, the first 5 are a mix of your birth date and birth place, this means that with the requested information they could decipher my whole SS, with no problem)
I asked what this was for, and they explained it was to make a unique number account, so that I wouldnt be signing in with another company for the same job (which is apparently standard in the industry too), (IMO: if you want to make a unique # it shouldn't be up to ME and MY data, but rather up to the recruitment companies to figure out their naming conventions as they please)
so I gave them a fake DOB and fake last 4 numbers. to avoid a possible ID theft and financial nightmare
they emailed me a form of agreement that I had to digitaly sign, which I read entirely, I found an option that said:
Yes, Collabera may send (SMS) text messages regarding my application to the telephone number I provide. STANDARD MESSAN AND DARA RATES MAY APPLY.
that I had to manually uncheck, (another redflag)
this agreement is used in the industry to let the companies hiring know that I have been contacted, and that the person they are suggesting for the role exists.
before signing, I checked the web for the reputations of Collabera and here I am. I think the actions of the company are shady at best, and I would have been extremely worried if I had given them my real information.
they are now calling, emailing, and texting me for more information, to which i have responded via email, but no comunication has been made back