Jobs in USA

[Suresh]

The following company is offering the H1B visa for the offshore candidates.
Is this company genuine?

CLD&ASSOCIATES CONSULTING INC.
190 Lincoln Hwy.
Edison, NJ-08820

[ThatGrrl]

Hi there Suresh... Without some more info, it's hard to say whether it's a scam. But here are soe general points.

CLD & Associates is a legit company, they've got their own website which looks fine, but whether or not it was them who sent you this email or scammers pretending to be from the company, I cannot say.

1. Legit companies don't randomly email people and offer them a job abroad. If, on the other hand, this is a job you applied for, that may be a different story.

2. Check the email address it was sent from. If it's something like engineer.com (a free email address from mail.com) or yahoo, it's a scam. A legit company sending emails has its own domain name.

2. Also, what's the job title and description? If it's anything like a "payment processor" or the description involves "receiving payments from our clients" then this is a scam, which will involve you handling fake or stolen cheques.

Can you tell me a bit more about the email you got? If you're still unsure as to whether it's a scam, can you post it here?

Many thanks.

[Suresh]

Thanks for the response,

1. Legit companies don't randomly email people and offer them a job abroad. If, on the other hand, this is a job you applied for, that may be a different story.

They are claiming that, they have got my resume through "naukri.com". One of the job portal at India.

2. Check the email address it was sent from. If it's something like engineer.com (a free email address from mail.com) or yahoo, it's a scam. A legit company sending emails has its own domain name.

The mail ID they sent has the domain address as "cldassociates.com"

2. Also, what's the job title and description? If it's anything like a "payment processor" or the description involves "receiving payments from our clients" then this is a scam, which will involve you handling fake or stolen cheques.

The job title is "Programmer Analyst". Which matches my job profile.
They are demanding 3500$ as the cauton deposit.

As a H1B worker at USA, I can not switch jobs. I am concerned that whether this consulting firm takes advantage of this situation and make us work like a slave?

[Frazzle]

They are claiming that, they have got my resume through "naukri.com". One of the job portal at India.

Scammers go through job portals pretending to be employers (anyone can sign up to be an employer). They will then collect a whole bunch of CVs and spam them with fake job offers.

cldassocaites.com has been round for a while, so it's not likely to be illegal. Of course, that doesn't mean that they're completely trustworthy either.
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Status: ok
Dates: Created 23-sep-2002 Updated 05-dec-2006 Expires 23-sep-2009
DNS Servers: GREG.MAGI.NET MAGI1.MAGI.NET


Does the mail Reply-To: go to the same place?

They are demanding 3500$ as the cauton deposit.

As a H1B worker at USA, I can not switch jobs. I am concerned that whether this consulting firm takes advantage of this situation and make us work like a slave?

There are labour laws in the USA to protect all workers. However, you are wise to be cautious.

If that $3500 is just a deposit, how much are they wanting in total? And what exactly are they doing for you in return for all that money?

[Suresh]

Does the mail Reply-To: go to the same place?


The mail Reply-To goes to the same place.


If that $3500 is just a deposit, how much are they wanting in total? And what exactly are they doing for you in return for all that money?

They are demanding $3500 as caution deposit, which they say will be returned in 6 installments, which starts after 6 months I start working for them. They are offering starting salary of $60,000 per annum. Which is $5,000/month. Is this a comparable salary for a software engineer with 3 years of experience?
After tax, insurance deductions roughly how much money I can expect per month ?


There are labour laws in the USA to protect all workers. However, you are wise to be cautious.


Suppose in worst case, If I get harrassments from employer and If I go to the court, is there any chance that I may be asked to go back to my home country. "In that case I will be ruined."

[FW Admin]

Having run the company name through Google, I only come up with a few entries, the primary being a forum discussion at this link:

http://forum.path2usa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21734

It seems very strange to me that such an allegedly successful (and large) company has only this few internet search results, and indeed for a "computer consulting company" (as they describe themselves) I find it almost incredible that they would offer positions "sight unseen". I know even smaller companies MUST go through at least one personal interview stage (usually by telephone) before a one-on-one physical meeting to discuss the position - especially when the remuneration is so high.

The forum discussion at the above link is interesting as it allegedly has people who work for the company defending them... but at the same time being evasive enough not to sound totally convincing. You'll also see some posters expressing their disgust at the alleged service offered and are convinced that this company are scammers.

[stingray9410]

I have read your posting and you mention that they found your application in http://www.naukrigulf.com, I just receive one email from them having the same story offering a job. Actually this is the second time already they try to scam me the first one is offering me a job in Aberden in an oil & gas company, the format is the same as the NIgeria Scam offering jobs to Oil & gas company base in Nigeria. I used this recruitment site to look for a job and even posted my resume. I strongly advice you my friend that this is another scam, especially that they are asking for $3,500 as an insurance. Come to think about it how much is this money in India? Dont be fooled by this e-mails asking you to send them money by wire. A lot of people are already victims of this said scam and dont be one of them.


Stingray

[Suresh]

Thanks for the advice.
I had asked my relative at New Jersey to do a background verification of this copmany. I will decide what to do once I receive any information.

[Jaanvi]

Hi Suresh! Wanted to know if u r going with CLD or not. Even I haev an offer frm them. Please respond at ur earliest. Thanks. It would be great if I could have your email ID

[FW Admin]

The mail address given for CLD is:

CLD&ASSOCIATES CONSULTING INC.
190 Lincoln Hwy.
Edison, NJ-08820

This is also the mail address of Optima Resources, discussion threads for which are here:

http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7122
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6609

Optima Resources is also tied into Accurum Technologies, discussion threads for which are here:

http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11945
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11946

The validity, legitimacy or otherwise of these "companies" are left to the reader.

[Jaanvi]

My friend had made her intial payment of 2500$ last year when she filed her application but the application was not selected in the random selection. Since then she wants to get her money refunded but the Consultancy says that it will deduct 850$ if she withdraws, which is a large amount. What shud she do? she doesnt want to lose the money, neither does she wants to continue with this consultancy.

[Aeval]

I would suggest that your friend contacts the US Consulate nearest to her and asks for their opinion. They should be able to advise her as to her next steps, if any.

[FW Admin]

If this alleged "company" is insisting that they retain part of the fees for "processing" or other conditions, I would strongly suggest that your friend contact the US Embassy.

Please ask your friend to read this article (or print it out and send it to them, or simply send them the link if they are online):

http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/view.php?pg=fw_visa_india

Unfortunately, we are receiving several reports that this company and its alter-egos (CLD, Optima Resources and Accurum Technologies) all indicate that their business and moral ethics are not what is expected from a professional company, and I would personally question their ability to deliver on their promises, their integrity towards their fellow Indian compatriots in their time of need, and their expertise in their (potentially false) claims.

We have asked on our forums for any confirmable and verifiable "success" stories from visitors and guests to this site, and although many have responded, these have been with negative reports and not a single one has been received stating that they have, in fact, received the services for which they paid their hard earned money.

If you know differently, we would love to know... please send all details (including signed acceptances, contracts and agreements as scanned attachments) to: http://www.fraudwatchers.org/imsem/em_docus.png

[livingfosil]

Thanks for the advice.
I had asked my relative at New Jersey to do a background verification of this copmany. I will decide what to do once I receive any information.

Hello Suresh,

I have been in touch with Accurum Technologies NewJersey too and want some info on how authentic they are. Since you mentioned your relative already was on the task,can you please advise if it is a good option to go with.

They are demanding a cover of $3800.

Kindly advise at the earliest. Thanks!

[John Fairheart]

livingfosil, read the post above yours please.

[FW Admin]

I think it has already been established that Accurum Technologies, including all its other guises and alter-egos, can be considered unprofessional at best, and scammers at worst.

If you intend to continue with a decision to use Accurum, please make absolutely sure that you receive written documentation of the fees requested, together with a breakdown of the services that they will provide for this money. This must be in writing, and delivered by postal mail to your address - Accurum have a habit of simply demanding this money by telephone, and thus not leaving any paper trail in the event of non-delivery (which, again, they have been commonly known to do - in fact I have yet to hear of one single genuine situation where a client got exactly what he/she paid for).

[livingfosil]

livingfosil, read the post above yours please.

Thanks for the prompt response John,I greatly appreciate and value it.

I have already sent them my personal details like my transcript copies and passport copies. Will this be a problem / can they misuse this in any way???

[John Fairheart]

I have already sent them my personal details like my transcript copies and passport copies. Will this be a problem / can they misuse this in any way???

Like any other internet predator, all they want is your cash. However, I would seek the advise of your local law enforcement agency on the matter regarding your personal identification documents. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that this could be used for ID Theft purposes, though looking at the way theses slime-balls are operating I don't think this will be a major issue. But, please do check with the Indian authorites to be 100% certain about where you stand.

[livingfosil]

Thanks John,I greatly appreciate your advise. Is there any other action you reckon I need to take from my side in order to ensure my reputation is not in jeopardy???


Is there a particular Indian law enforcement website that you can suggest?

Thanks

[John Fairheart]

My pleasure,

Your local police will the best people to ask further advice on this matter as they will have the expert knowledge to direct you appropriately.

[livingfosil]

Thanks a bunch again...uve certainly been of great help!

[takita]

i want more please because that interest me

[FW Admin]

i want more please because that interest me

What more do you want? You have the contact details and the address for the US Embassies in India.

You have this page (http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/view.php?pg=fw_visa_india) to read, and you can also go to this official US website (http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/) to read more about visas and the required application processes.

[Suresh]

Hi All,

These are my personal experience with CLD&Associates and the hard lessons learnt.

1) Never ever pay to get H1B visa.
Consequences:
- If your visa petition does not select in lottery, you loose a part of deposited money.
- If you get the visa, these companies will not have proper business setup, hence can't get you the project.
- They will not pay you when you are on bench. (As per H1B rules, the employee must have a project to enter into USA, but these companies take you without having any project.)

2) I lost a part of deposited I made. I am really repenting on the decision I have taken to take this shortcut.

3) CLD always claimed it is no way related to Optima and Accurum. But it is hard to believe when their postal address is same.

I have the offer letter and the receipt for the deposit made. But still being in India, I am feeling so helpless that I can't do anything.
If I go to nearest US embassy, I will jeopardize my future chances of getting US visa.

Regards
Suresh