JOB-SEEKERS are being warned of a scam offer of work which could leave them out of pocket.
It comes after one unemployed man phoned to enquire about what seemed to be a genuine advert for a bar job in Nottingham.
Instead, Christopher Murphy found he was calling a premium phone line, racked up a £57 bill and has had his phone cut off as a result of being unable to pay it off.
Mr Murphy, 24, of Norfolk Avenue, Toton, has been looking for work since losing his job as a pub chef and barman in February.
He said: "I had been looking here, there and everywhere for a job when this advert came up on Gumtree.
"It stated 'all positions needed at a local pub in Nottingham', but there was no pub name."
He initially rang the telephone number a couple of times but was cut off. The last call involved him speaking to a man who said he was putting him on hold so he could get his manager, which lasted for around an hour.
Mr Murphy said: "I'm not earning that much money and my phone has now been cut off because I cannot pay that bill."
He added: "It is already a difficult time for me looking for a job in the current economic climate, so this experience is even more demoralising.
"My advice is that if you respond to a job advert and you are kept waiting, ask the person to call you back and don't allow them to put you on hold."
Mr Murphy has raised the issue with Notts County Council's Trading Standards, which has received a similar complaint from another person who lives in Mapperley.
Both numbers began with 07053, but Trading Standards say the scammers change them regularly and are now urging job-seekers to avoid responding to adverts which encourage them to ring a mobile telephone number for more details.
Sarah Houlton, trading standards manager at Notts County Council, said: "This is a heartless scam as it targets the unemployed who are eager to get a job and often are on benefits, so have little money.
"Unfortunately, the scammers use pay-as-you-go mobiles over a short period, so it is almost impossible for us to track them down.
"We advise people to seek job opportunities from reputable websites and recruitment companies and only respond to adverts with a landline number and address details."
For consumer advice or to report a consumer problem call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.