Warning over bogus council jobs email scam
Lewisham Council is warning residents about a bogus recruitment agency offering fake council jobs to extract job seekers' personal information.

People using legitimate job search sites to find work are being targeted by an agency called Haines Employment, which claims to be recruiting for council positions.

The hoax organisation may have a link on genuine recruitment sites which asks people to submit their details via a CV.

Individuals are then sent an email from 'hainesemployment@googlemail.com' to say they have been offered a position as a receptionist or office assistant at their local council.

The emails, sent by 'James Haines', also contain a council extra information pack and tell the job seeker they are required to start work.

The recipient is asked to fill in a fake application pack which asks for bank and credit card details and personal details, including information about parents and former names. The email also asks for a £6 payment via credit card for a fast-tracked CRB check.

Lewisham Council would never ask for bank or credit card details at the application stage. There is also no way to fast track CRB checks by the payment of any advance fee.

Residents who are concerned that they may have been scammed by this organisation should report it to Lewisham Police on 0300 123 1212.

Anyone who has filled in the false application pack and sent it off should also contact their bank and credit card company immediately and take steps to protect their identity using the Home Office website.

People should be vigilant about contact from any individual or organisation claiming to be working on behalf of Lewisham Council which asks for in-depth personal information or bank account and credit card details.

Further information on identify theft is available at www.identitytheft.org.uk or the Metropolitan Police's website, www.met.police.uk/fraudalert.