Empower Security Services, Inc

Review: [redacted] from Empower Security Services, Inc. called me from ###-###-#### to respond to a FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST job I applied for either on [redacted] or [redacted]. I believe she called me on Monday, July *, 2013 to make an appointment with her for an interview Tuesday, July *, 2013. I showed up and interviewed with her with the understanding that I was going to get a position. After interviewing with her, she told me how I would be a great candidate for one of her clients in Manhattan. She asked me to give the company a check or money order of $439.00 for three training courses: 8HR ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE, 8HR PRE-ASSIGNMENT COURSE, AND 16HR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING COURSE. Originally, the balance was $539 but she added in a $100 discount so it came to $439. She had me to fill a contract with the receipt stamped NO REFUNDS! ALL PAYMENTS ARE FINAL. I was instructed to show up for the FIRE GUARD training course which was not even part of the deal on Friday, July *, 2013. The FIRE GUARD course was taught by a man named [redacted], whose last name was unknown. I do have his cell phone number and it is ###-###-####. [redacted] collected the contracts and receipts from mostly everyone attending the course without the option of making copies for his reference. The originals were collected. When I asked [redacted] and another supervisor, whose name was [redacted], for a copy of the contract, they replied by telling me that the original would be returned upon completion of all of the courses. I took the 8HR ANNUAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE, 8HR PRE-ASSIGNMENT COURSE, AND 16HR-ON-THE-JOB TRAINING COURSE on Thursday (July **), Friday (July **), and Saturday (July **). The instructor of these 3-day courses was [redacted] of Rock Security of America ([redacted]). I was awarded the two certificates (8HR PRE-ASSIGNMENT TRAINING COURSE FOR SECURITY GUARDS and 16 HOUR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING COURSE FOR SECURITY GUARDS). I returned to Empower Security Services for job placement by [redacted] on Monday, July **, 2013 between 8:30 and 9:00 AM alongside another applicant named [redacted]. [redacted] sent me to Honor Guard, which was located at [redacted] in Lower Manhattan. I went there with the intention of letting them I was referred to them by [redacted] but all of the applicants had to fill out applications. No one was able to speak to any interviewers on that day. [redacted] advised me to call him at the end of the afternoon to give him feedback. I told as instructed but did not get a callback. I waited for a week but no reply still from [redacted]. I left a message or two with [redacted]. I called Empower Security and [redacted] answered the phone. I requested to speak to [redacted], but was told he was not available and to leave a message. I told her I already did. Somehow, he called me back then to send me to Defender Security at [redacted]. He sent me to speak to either [redacted] or [redacted] at 10:30 AM. I went there but to fill out an application. I spoke either with [redacted] or [redacted] for about 5 minutes. I was told there were only on-call positions and the application was going to be sent to the headquarters. I called [redacted] again but no reply. I called [redacted] the following Sunday to ask him a question but he was away on a trip to Atlanta and wanted me to call that Monday morning. I just wanted to know the status of NYS security guard licenses since he filled out all of our forms to send to Albany during the courses. He alerted me that I had to take fingerprints to get the license but Empower Security Services did not tell any of this about that step. He also went on to reveal how Empower Security Services does not find the applicants job and how they take everyone's money. I called [redacted] the next day and inquired about the security guard license status. He told me how I had to pay for fingerprints separately and how Empower Security Services was a security training school, not a job placement center. I called around two weeks later to the office to check up on where I stood, only to hear that the phone number had been disconnected. I realized that [redacted], [redacted], [redacted], and [redacted] all played roles in giving the mostly [redacted] and [redacted] applicants false hopes and promises of employment and feeling they were able to get easy money from a bunch of gullible people or so they thought. I called today but the line is still disconnected. I left a message with [redacted] at ###-###-#### in his voice mail, asking if Empower Security Services relocated to another place and letting him know I did not appreciate exploited out of money I needed to go on job interviews, expenses, and rent.Desired Settlement: I am only seeking back my $439 so I can have money to go on job interviews since I am constantly looking for work.

Review: I was called by empower security and offered a position as front desk attendant. when I arrived to the place they lady explained to me what I was paying for which was the 8/** and license. she aslo told us that we would begin work soon after the class was done. (false) after starting the training the lady told us that the license was not included in the funds already paid to them which totaled 300.00. now I have the 8/** but no fire guard or license.Desired Settlement: I either want my money back or obtain the security license as promised

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Empower Security Services, Inc regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: On October [redacted], I saw a [redacted] posting for a security job. I called and the lady informed me to come in on October [redacted] for an interview and that if accepted, I will pay $80 for training and upon the end of training, I will recieve a job. Upon my arrival and short interview, I was accepted. I was told to sign the contract and to pay another 119 on Saturday for Monday's security class. When I asked what the 80 was for, [redacted] did not clearly state what it was for. She told me that after taking the class, I will be placed immediately in a security job and will start working on the next day Tuesday. After payin the money on Friday and Saturday, the secretary in the office stamped the receipts with a big red NO REFUNDS. [redacted] then told me that when security class was finished, I will take my fingerprints on Tuesday. I asked if we will start working right away as promised and this time, she completely brushed off the question.

The same day, I recieved a call from [redacted] tellling me that I can start tonight. Well, after going home that day, something told me to check out the company online. Upon checking, I realized that this company was a fraud. When Monday arrived, I called the fingerprinting individuals, who told me that fingerprinting would be an additional $105 plus $36 application fee, which I was not told. I told them I am with Empower Services and they claimed that the prices still applies to me.

I talked to [redacted] about recieving my funds back since I took part in no service and she refused to answer my question, putting blame on me instead. I went in to speak to [redacted] and the secretary (a tall [redacted] girl) and an [redacted] pretended to be confused. Instead of bringing me [redacted], I was put to speak with a [redacted] guy who claimed to be the owner of Empower Services. I explained myself to him and all he did was talk out of amusement and no sorrow or remorse, telling me that he is not giving me my refund back and that its my fault because I paid for the services. He tells me a made up story that his mom applied with them and wanted a refund and that he refused to give her the money back, so what makes me different. He talked to me with so much amusement in his demeanor as if it was funny.

I took no part in any service, which makes me liable to recieve my money back. I was faced with personal damages and suffered mental distress and loss because of this. I was faced with misleading and deceptive conduct, failed to be told that I was required to pay another $105 for fingerprints plus more money for the application fee. I wasn't told exactly what the $119 and $80 was for and participated in no service with Empower Services. I was faced with misleading representation, promised that I would receive a job after security classes, but after texting [redacted], asking if the job was guaranteed, she did not respond to me.

I am asking for a refund of services that I took no part in at all and will not ever take part in. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Empower Security Services, Inc regarding complaint ID [redacted].

I am seeking a way to recieve my funds back, this issue is still affecting my emotional being and my health.

Please help

Review: This company contacted me in regards to a Front Desk position, which I had applied to online. They asked me to bring a $100 deposit to get my fingerprints done because I was required to monitor cameras and needed a background check. I was asked to come in the following day for an interview and upon coming in I was attended by a different person than the one who had called. [redacted] (###-###-####) called me to schedule and interview and told me to ask for her but [redacted] (The Supervisor) was the person that interviewed me. She told me that the position would require me to take some classes and that I had to pay $300, we came to an agreement that I would pay $200. However for clarification, I asked her if this was a guaranteed position. She assured me that their company had different hotel locations in Manhattan and that I would be making $14 to $22 an hour. The $100 would be sent to the department to get my fingerprints taken (the department name/address was not disclosed) Also after the first 90 days I would have a job increase because that was the probation period. I paid the following week and took the classes from Thursday to Sunday; I was the contacted after class (###-###-####) the person did not disclose their name but told me I had to go get my fingerprints done the following day. I registered online and found out I had to pay $102 for my fingerprints which I assumed I had already made a deposit for. When I tried to call back the person from Empower that called me for clarification, she did not pick up my call. I called her 5 times and nothing, I decided to just pay since I already had my certification. At this point I was fully aware that this was not a Front Desk position but security guard service. Upon getting my fingerprints done I was then asked to pay an additional $36 for the application fee, which was not disclosed to me as well. The social Security Department told me I had been scammed and that I should not have paid any money in advance for the service. They also told me I should probably not go back, however, I wanted to see what their last step in the process would be so I returned. I came in to Empower around 9:40 am for my 10 am placement appointment on 8/21/13. Mostly everyone from my class showed up and we were brought in groups of two to talk to the job-placing agent. I was called in around 10:40 am along with another person. Once we went inside the room, there were no certifications or licenses on the walls, just a guy sitting on a desk making calls from a Metro PCS red flip phone that looks similar to the Samsung SCH R250. In front across from him sat three [redacted] women some who seemed to have their kids with them making phone calls. Upon sitting there for my placement I tried to ignore them being there but their chatter overpowered what I had been listening to. When I turned my ears to what they were doing, they had been calling people to come in for an orientation the following day for the job they had applied for online. One call was to a person that applied for a front desk position another was for a housekeeping position. I then turned my attention to the "agent" who was offering me an undercover position in a supermarket. This was after asking me how much money I wanted to make, since I was told between $14 to $22 and hour that is what I said, to this he answered that since I was only available in the morning he could only offer me a position that pays $9 an hour. I said I did not want it, and he took care of everyone that came in after me (there were three other people beside me) and left me for last. He said the undercover position would be at a supermarket and that the company hiring me would pay me $10 an hour, while the supermarket would pay me $7.50 an hour. So in total I would be making $17.50 an hour, and that I did not even need my security guard license. At that moment I decided I was definitely going home, I was really disrespected and scammed beyond belief. I came across as having an attitude but there was a clear dishonesty in these people that made me very disgusted and I decided to leave and not come back. [redacted] (who I had never met before) tried to convince me to come back the next day when I was calm but I explained to her I have no desire of ever setting foot into that place again. My time and my money were wasted.Desired Settlement: I want my money back because I was not supposed to be charged for anything and I was not provided with the service that was being offered.

Review: Hello, my name is [redacted] and it has taken a lot for me to get to this point and file a Revdex.com complaint. I know cases are dealt with everyday and that my issue might just not be taken seriously but I really just want to see some justice and proper action taken regarding my situation. I am at my wit's end and I just don't know what else to do or where to go and I'm now feeling like there is nothing that can be done. I really hope the Revdex.com can provide me some sort of relief. During the month of April, I was unemployed and desperately looking for a job. I started to look on [redacted], and came across a job posting that stated, full time workers were needed asap as lobby attendants for hospitals, hotels and etc. The advertisement also stated that the hourly pay started from $18.00-$22.00, and also that no experience was required. I was very naive and believed every single bit of the advertisement, so I got very excited and decided to call the HR number listed. As soon as I call, a woman by the name [redacted] picks up. I inform her that I am very interested in the job position. She then tells me that I need to come in for an interview and bring in a $100.00 as a deposit for my training, in case the interview goes well and I get the job. I was so happy to hear that I was already being considered for the job. I go in, and I meet someone by the name of [redacted]. He interviews me asks me some typical interview questions based on customer service. He then goes to saying that I was qualified as a job candidate. He then started to tell me that I would have to start training that same week, and that I would be working by the following week. He stated my hourly pay would be at $18.00 and hour and that I would be placed at corporate building in midtown as a security guard. The advertisement never stated anything about the job being a security guard position, but I was so ecstatic to hear that I would be receiving compensation in the amount of $18/hr, I did not care for anything else. He then goes to tell me that in order to proceed with training, I would need to provide an extra $300 in addition to the $100 I had already paid. Paying for security classes was not listed in the job advertisement either. He promised that I would definitely be working by the following week and that I would have to submit to a drug test. I was completely fine with all of that, and didn't mind paying $400 in total since I was assured that I would be getting a job. I was unemployed at the time so I had used my tax return money to pay for the training courses. I was struggling severely with my finances but I felt at the time that the investment was worth it. Right after I agreed to the job offer, he drew up some paper work and asked me to sign them. I asked him what the contract was for, and he stated that it was nothing but form to show as proof the training classes I was enrolling for. I felt I was being very rushed so I signed without properly reading it and submitted the form. I receive a copy of it, and as I go home I start to read carefully and saw that it stated that there was no guarantee in landing a job and that no refunds would be issued, and also that 10% of payment will be refunded only when empower securities has failed to land me a job by the 7th attempt. I couldn't believe what I was reading and felt so stupid for not reading the form before I had signed it. Not one thing that man said was on that form, nor one thing that was listed on the form did the man say. I then realized I just gave my money away to the devil and I won't ever get it back. I decide to keep some faith so I start attending the classes. Towards the end of the training classes, I decided to approach the same man that had offered me the job and told him that I read the contract after I signed it and wanted to know where I stood with the job process. He kept reassuring me that I would be fine and that he would make sure I was hired. I had also asked if they were a job agency but he lied and stated that they weren't, but according to the contract it was obvious that they were. I had also asked if I would be interviewed a second time for the place I would be working at, and he stated no, but I would only have to pass the drug test. Not any of that made sense to me, but I decided to be as dumb as a rock and just continued to go with it rather than making any proper judgement at the time. As soon as the classes are over, the instructor of our class informs us that we would be set up for job interviews and that we would be scheduled to visit security job agencies. That's when it hit me and I officially realized that I was scammed. I rush over to the same man I was dealing with, and again he told me not to worry and that he would contact me the first thing the next morning for me to visit a security guard company. A day goes by, and then another another so I decide to call and he just gives me some made up reason that he's been really busy and that he forgot to call me. I already knew what was going on but I decided to still push through since I invested my money. A week goes by and I get no call. I decide to go in person and demanded an answer as to what was going on and that I wanted a refund since they falsely advertised what they were doing there and that lied straight to me just to convince me into giving them $400.00. They apologized and said they would have me go on an interview that same day. I go in to company in manhattan, fill out an application and that's it. I called empower and asked them why I was required to fill out an application form when they had initially stated that I was already set up with the company and that I would be working that same week. It was all a lie. I was filling out an application like everyone else who wanted a job, except I was cheated and made to believe something completely different. I was then sent on another job interview, and again all I did was fill out an application. I stayed very patient with this company till my boundaries were broken. I went to their office that same week and let them know that I knew this was a scam and that I wanted my money back. The person had nothing to say and then later had the owner come and speak to me. I do not remember the name of the owner, but as soon as I explained my situation to him, he was extremely rude and stated that he could not give me a refund. I kept explaining to him and asking him how it was fair for his employees to lie straight to my face about a job opportunity, false advertising on [redacted] and to target unemployed people for their money. I told him that it was not right for him to keep my money as they did not land me a job either. The man got very loud with and just walked away stating I would not get a refund. A few minutes later he came back and apologized and stated that he would pay for my security guard license, which would better my chances in landing a job. He also said he would call me back. This is July now and it's been 3 months since I heard from them. It was a total mess and I was tired of going around in circles and just gave up knowing that they wouldn't issue a refund nor would they land me a job. I even told the owner of the company that his employee guaranteed that I would be working within a week how could he say that and now this? The owner accused me of lying and stated that none of his sales representatives would say that. I didn't want any trouble, I just wanted a job so I paid for it and when I realized what crooks these people were, that's when I wanted my money back and I was denied. I'm 23 going to college full time and now working and trying to take care of my family. I'm really not looking for any pity, I'm just being so honest. Money is a struggle and for these people to just take advantage of me like that is horrible and just ruthless just so they had a financial gain by taking away someone else's. $400 isn't much to others but it is a whole lot for me and as you can see I'm beyond frustrated and upset writing this forever long complaint. I do apologize with the nuisance but all I want is some help and relief with this. Please help me Revdex.com.Desired Settlement: I would like my refund in the amount of $400.00 and also have an end put to these false advertisements posted on [redacted] and deceiving so many other people.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Empower Security Services, Inc regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: One female by the name of [redacted] call me to say that they have a construction job opening.After hearing that she told me I must with $100 to do training if they hirer me so when I get there one by the name of [redacted] I will have to get Fire Guard and Security License to get the job that will cost $489 and all training and certificates will be issued there.I said was too much so he said he will give me for $330 and he will give me the fire guard training FREE. So [redacted] told me I have to give him $100 to start the rest of training then he put me in a half way class were a guy was talking about fire so when he was finish they give me a paper to go to the Fire Department to do TEST and I still have to pay for it there so that make me get wise and ask back for my money and they did not want to give me.They said to take the matter to the small COURT.Desired Settlement: JUST NEED MY MONEY.