JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – People who almost fell victim to a job interview scam said they are concerned about their identities and want something to be done.
Brittney Montgomery and LaShawn Clemons thought they had found a great job opportunity when they called a number about a job posted on social media.
But those dreams vanished Wednesday at a Panera Bread in San Marco when police came in, stopping what they thought was a job interview.
"It's a big deal because you already don't trust people these days, and then for somebody to offer you an opportunity -- you're thinking it's legit and come to find out it's not," Clemons said. "It's hard out here already to find a job."
Dozens of people have come forward telling the same story to police.
They said a man and woman advertised jobs on social media then told candidates to meet up at local restaurants for interviews. These unsuspecting "candidates" handed over their identification and even went through background checks for a job and company that didn't exist.
Montgomery and Clemons were at Panera meeting with the man and woman when another woman walked in and said, "You're being scammed," and the police came in right after.
For LaShawn Clemons, that ended her second interview for what she thought was a job with a trucking and shipping company.
She said at first the job offer seemed legitimate. She gave the woman her ID and Social Security card.
But she said the more they talked, things started to feel a little off.
"She kept basically saying the same thing over and over and over, but it was coming back more with lies," Clemons said. "You could just basically tell that she was lying."
Clemons never worked with the suspect, but Montgomery did. She said she collected identification from potential employees for two days, believing she'd been hired and would be paid about $1,500 a week.
"All I ever worked was fast food and Walmart, if you know what I'm saying. Actually being paid a salary, thinking I'm getting this. I'm actually excited. I went and called my mom the same day I found out I got a job," Montgomery said.
Montgomery never got paid. Neither did any of the other people who told police they'd been hired by the company.
When police searched the suspects' computers, they found about 100 pictures of applicants' driver's licenses and Social Security cards that had been deleted. Officers said the investigation is ongoing, but potential victims hope someone can learn from their experience.
"You've just got to be aware of your surroundings and be careful because at this point you can't trust anyone," Clemons said. "Sad to say that you were going to look for a job and you can't even trust somebody who you think is your employer."
The woman and man these potential victims said are behind the scam ran from the restaurant Wednesday. But according to police, they have extensive criminal histories, including theft, fraud and forgery.