Scam alert
Chris Antonik of Delaware Technical Community College reports on this scammer attempt:
Looks like we’ve got another scammer. I just got a call from someone claiming to be from Western Express looking for drivers. He said his name was Jody Vance and hung up on me when I asked for his job title. I called W. Express and they said that they had no one by that name and I was the second school that called about him.
Scammer update
Tammy Curtis of United Truck Driving School tells us that the scammer who had been using the name “Robert Phillips” and the phone number of is 214-202-9991 is running the same scam, asking for past grads’ phone numbers. Using the name “James Green” but the same phone number, he stated that he would take students also. He was offering $450 per week for 4 weeks of training then it went to $.32 per mile.
Beware of scammers with too-good-to-be-true offers.
Stop those scammers!
Steven Brantley, Manager of Driver Recruting for USA Truck reports that the company is taking action against the trucking job scammers. USA Truck is compiling a list of known victims of this scam, as it relates to those affected recently and requests that schools please email him the following information:
- school name, Director name, and phone number
- the name and phone number of any known victim of this scam, or any student the scammer has contacted.
Email to steve.brantley@usa-truck.com
This information will only be used in conjunction with this investigation, and will be shared with law enforcement.
Good news, bad news
The good news for those seeking trucking jobs is that the driver shortage is growing, increasing the demand for drivers and the pay, at least according to this article.
The bad news is there is another scammer at work taking advantage of truck driving school students seeking that job. Steve Brantley, Manager, Driver Recruiting, USA Truck reports:
… a new scammer is on the streets, and he is calling schools pretending to be from USA Truck. He usually goes by the name of James Hayes at phone number 615-975-9326. This person is NOT a representative of USA Truck. If you have any question about the identity of anyone who says they are connected with USA Truck, please call me directly at 479-471-6671.
Here are a few additional points of information:
1. There is an individual identifying themselves as a Recruiter for USA Truck, asking for the names of students. He has been using the name James Hayes, or Joe Tucker. He often leaves a phone number of 615-975-9326.
2. This person is convincing students that USA Truck has a job for them and will pick them up, if only they wire some money, usually via Western Union. This is a scam.
3. This person is not affiliated with USAT in any way.
4. USA Truck will never ask your school for lists of students or phone numbers.
5. Have a question about the identity of anyone claiming to be employed by USA Truck? Please call 479-471-6671.
A new scam alert
Second scam alert of the day… these are desperate times!
Amber with USA Truck called Brad Ball to say that there is a gentleman that is calling schools around the country and asking for names and phone numbers of students looking for employment. He is promising them a job, all they have to do is wire him money so he can get them into orientation. So far he goes by either James Hayes or Joe Tucker. Amber said that USA Truck is calling as many schools as possible and we’re passing along the alert.
Another scam alert
Jamie Sather, National Tractor Trailer reports that he just received a call from Tyler at USA Truck stating that there is another scammer out there stating that he is with USA Truck, which he is not, and is asking for students’ names and numbers and then asking them to Western Union him money to set up orientation. He goes by the names of James Hayes or Joe Tucker. He gives out the number 615-975-9326.
Be wary of those scammers!
Scam alert
Chuck Wirth of American Institute of Technology reports that a man posing to be with USA Truck using the name James Hayes, phone number – 615-975-9326 is requesting students money-gram $250 to a Don Hopper in Huntsville AL. Chuck says that they verified with Steve Brantley at USA Truck and this individual does not work for or with USA Truck.
Yet another scam alert
Kristine Durham, Western Truck School reports that
“today a gentleman by the name of James Hays of ”National Transportation” called. His phone number is 404-686-6139. He says he is looking for 4 drivers immediately. Due to his pushy attitude, I started to ask questions and found out he is based out of Georgia and according to him an orientation will be held in Phoenix. Drivers will drive all 48 states. They will be out 14 and home for 4 paying $400.00 a week and then .28 a mile. Requirements are over 21, no more than 8 points, DUI over 3 years and felony has to be over 5 years.” Kristine adds that none of the information checks out. In fact, if you call the number, you get a recording that “the patient is currently out of the room” !!
Just alerting you to another scammer out there.
Another scam alert
Roger Rollins, Great Lakes Truck Driving School passes along the following scam report:
“One of my reps in the office took this call the other day. I knew Marten did not accept grads so I called Marten to verify that it was not them and they had no idea who this person was posing as a Marten recruiter. This is the info the guy gave us, this is the email that one of my employees sent me, I copied and pasted it for you.
I received a call from Marten Transport this morning, looking for drivers (both new graduates and experienced). They are looking for 4 drivers immediately and 14 more within the next 2 weeks. Here are the particulars —
Contact: Jim Snow
Training period & pay: 4 weeks @ $400/week
Solo pay rate: $.28/mile
Felonies: over 5 years old
Points: 8 points maximum
Equipment: International 10-speed w/ 53′ dry van
Hiring area: East & South…running lower 48
As we have discovered this was a complete fraud just searching for contact information on entry level drivers to scam.”
Beware the scammers out there!
Scam alert
Unfortunately we are getting to use this Scam Alert graphic far too often. Now Gary Pressley of American Truck Training North, Inc. (dba Heavy Metal Truck Training) reports receiving a call from a guy calling himself Robert Evans with USA Trucking, telephone number 205-213-3847. When Gary started asking him too many “insightful” questions, he hung up.
Let’s hope that we don’t hear about any more scam alerts and that you all have a chance to have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.
