Outline
Message circulating via social media claims that Fed Ex, Home Depot, UPS, Verizon, and Staples are hiring staff. The message lists toll-free phone numbers for the companies and asks that users share the information to help job seekers.
Brief Analysis
The information in the message is not valid. One of the numbers is not in service. Another plays an ‘unable to connect’ message. Another two connect to sales pitches for holidays or gift cards. The last number is the general information department and ordering number for Staples, not its HR department. The message has circulated since at least 2011. Sending on this misleading information will help nobody.
Example
NOW HIRING:
Fed Ex (877) 716-8753, Home Depot (877) 967-5443, UPS (888) 877-0922, Verizon (800) 511-8086, STAPLES (800) 378-2753…
You may not need it, but REPOST if you like for someone who does. Could be someone’s HOLIDAY BLESSING!
Detailed Analysis
This message, which has been circulating on and off since at least 2011, claims that Fed Ex, Home Depot, UPS, Verizon, and Staples are now hiring staff. The message includes toll-free phone numbers for the listed companies and urges people to pass on the information in the hope of helping job seekers.
However, the information in the message is misleading and inaccurate. A long-time US-based Hoax-Slayer supporter has researched the claims in the message by calling each of the listed numbers. Here are his findings:
Fed Ex (877) 716-8753 – Not a working number.
Home Depot (877) 967-5443 – Sales pitch for a Las Vegas vacation.
UPS (888) 877-0922 – Connects to a telemarketing site offering a Walmart gift card (surely with strings attached) if you agree to carry on with the call.
Verizon (800) 511-8086 – ‘Unable to connect you at this time’ then the call hangs up.
Staples (800) 378-2753 – This one does indeed connect to Staples, but it is their general information and ordering number, not an employment hotline.
It is unclear who created the message. It was perhaps well-intentioned to begin with, but its continued circulation will help nobody. Job seekers can seek information about work opportunities at the listed companies – and accurate contact information – by visiting the careers sections of their respective websites.
Original Source : https://www.hoax-slayer.net/inaccurate-now-hiring-toll-free-phone-number-message-still-circulating/