Interviews That Resemble a Pyramid Scheme (Kingsdale Mortgage Inc.)
I want to share a concerning experience that my friend—let’s call him Arthur—had while job hunting in Canada as a new immigrant. He recently recounted his encounter with a particularly unwelcoming company, Universal Investing & Consulting Inc. However, what happened with Kingsdale Mortgage Inc. during Arthur’s job application process has prompted me to raise awareness.
After sending in his resume, Arthur received a call from Kingsdale Mortgage Inc. I hesitate to call it a phone interview since it mainly consisted of the interviewer sharing details about the job responsibilities and compensation without asking Arthur any questions.
Fast forward two or three weeks, Arthur was invited for a face-to-face interview at their office. However, the location didn’t match what I found online, which raised some red flags. During the in-person meeting, the interviewer instructed job candidates, including Arthur, to make phone calls to various people—essentially acting as a form of networking. It was evident that the interviewer had obtained someone else’s information and wanted Arthur to reach out to them.
To make matters worse, the interviewer provided a suspicious website to help persuade candidates and insisted on keeping everything confidential—specifically instructing Arthur not to leave any evidence, such as text messages or voicemails. This setup feels alarmingly similar to a pyramid scheme. Arthur and others were asked to make numerous unsolicited calls (potentially 50 to 100 each) using their own phone numbers without compensation.
I’m convinced this operation is a scam or a form of a pyramid scheme, but I lack concrete evidence to convince Arthur to cease his job application process.
Does anyone have suggestions on how I can help him avoid working for this company?
RCadmin
It’s understandable that you’re concerned for your friend after hearing about this unsettling experience. Here are a few steps you can take to help Arthur avoid potentially falling into a pyramid scheme or scam:
Share Your Concerns: Sit down with Arthur and express your worries about Kingsdale Mortgage Inc. Be honest about why you think it resembles a pyramid scheme. Share specific examples from your friend’s experiences to illustrate your points.
Encourage Research: Suggest that he looks up Kingsdale Mortgage Inc. online. He can search for reviews, complaints, or any news articles that discuss the company. Websites like Glassdoor or other job review platforms can give insights into employee experiences.
Discuss Red Flags: Educate Arthur on common red flags associated with pyramid schemes, such as needing to recruit others to make money, lack of a clear product or service, and situations where he would need to pay upfront fees or make unsolicited calls.
Seek Opinions from Others: Encourage Arthur to talk to others who have applied or interviewed with the company, or even professionals in the industry. Getting a broader perspective could help him see potential issues.
Support an Alternatives Search: Help him explore other job opportunities that seem more legitimate. Assist him with his resume and prepare for interviews with companies that have positive reputations.
Trust His Instincts: Ultimately, he has to make his own decision. Encourage him to trust his gut feelings about the company and to not pursue anything that makes him uncomfortable.
Leverage Professional Networks: If he’s part of any professional groups or online platforms like LinkedIn, encourage him to ask for advice there. Many people can share valuable insights about their experiences with employers.
Your support and encouragement will go a long way in helping Arthur make a more informed decision.