Dear Editor,

A couple of weeks ago a friend showed me an advert on Facebook to take part in the shooting of a TV series on the island of Gozo.

Only Gozitans were invited and being a pensioner I decided to join, so I answered and filled in all the information putting all my sizes, chest size, shoe size and colour of eyes, hair and so on. I sent it back to the company and after a couple of days I received a phone call informing me that I was chosen and asking me if I would be free on two particular days where I confirmed in the positive.

Then I received an e-mail asking me a for a copy of my ID card ‘front and back’ and then to include personal information like bank account number, Tax Number, and so on. I couldn’t stop an ‘alarm bell’ which rang at the back of my mind.

The warning of a police constable on local TV who tirelessly tells us not to give details on the internet stopped me from sending the required information. I told this to the recruiting company and they said that that was the only way of paying me the €144.00 for two days of shooting.

This amount is very tempting as I have a very low pension, but I still could not make myself send the personal information they asked for.

I did a thorough investigation on this recruiting company and could not find anything wrong except the following warning in their own page which I am copying and pasting: “Following the recent discovery of illicit websites and brands republishing our casting calls without our permission, we have put together a small resource to help you identify our trusted channels of communicating and posting our casting calls and updates to you.”

Yesterday they called me and asked me of my intentions, I said that the Universe is telling me not to trust you and I am not ready to divulge my personal information on the net. I do not understand why they cannot pay me on just my ID card front.

I am not stating that this recruiting company is a fraud, but while they were extremely nice to me and patient, they have not convinced me and now I am left totally depressed, unable to eat, or do anything at home, as I was really looking forward to take part in this TV series.

Anthony Zammit,

Gozo.

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