Other LanguagesThe Yakama Nation issued a warning today after individuals visited the tribe’s headquarters on Tuesday to recruit tribal offers for supposedly lucrative jobs cleaning up the oil spill in the Gulf Coast. The recruiters promised bus transportation to Louisiana and Florida, lodging and wages of $40 per hour. Many tribal members eagerly offered up their personal information and some even quit their jobs.
Authorities haven’t been able to identify whether the oil jobs are legitimately tied to British Petroleum (BP) – but it’s unlikely.
The person behind the recruitment scheme was identified as Christino Rosado (possibly spelled Rosazo), and claims to be associated with companies named Seasonal Fruit, Go Fish and Tri-Tech Corporation. The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana spoke with Christino Rosado, Jr., who reportedly stated that he and his father, Christino Rosado, Sr., are behind the endeavor but was unable to produce proof of a contract with BP.
Rosado showed up in Oregon City in May, promising to turn an empty beer warehouse into a fruit-juice factory and employ hundreds. But locals said that story turned out to be “too good to be true.”
The Washington Attorney General’s Office and the BBB are helping disseminate information about this scheme, as well as advice for those who provided their personal information to the recruiters, and tips on avoiding job scams.
We encourage anyone who provided personal information to the recruiters to take the following precautions:
- Check bank and credit statements for unauthorized charges.
- Consider placing a free fraud alert on your credit history, which can alert you to attempts to open new accounts. Call the toll-free number at any of the three major bureaus:
- Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
- Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
- TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800
- For stronger protection, consider placing a security freeze on your credit files, which may prevent identity theft by preventing the credit bureaus from sharing your information with potential creditors. Information on obtaining a credit freeze is available on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.atg.wa.gov/freeze.aspx.
- Review your credit history. When you request a fraud alert, you may also request a free copy of your credit file. Review it for accuracy.
Also, if you're thinking of a job in the Gulf, take precautions to check out the company in advance. And don't give out personal or sensitive information, such as a Social Security number, until you've had a chance to read and sign an official employment contract.
More information:
AGO Media Contact: Kristin Alexander, Media Relations Manager, (206) 464-6432, kalexander@atg.wa.gov
Yakama Nation Media Contact: Harry Smiskin, Chairman, (509) 865-5121