The Unseen Side of a Summer Job: My Cousin's Daughter and the Telecom Scam
The experience of the author's cousin's daughter as she unwittingly participates in a scam within the telecom industry during her summer job as a Client Channel Developer.
Summary: The author shares the story of her cousin's daughter, who took on a summer job as a Client Channel Developer in the telecom industry in Portugal. Little did she know, she would soon be swept up in a whirlwind of deception and questionable business practices. Follow along as the young woman uncovers the truth behind the company's dubious operations and ultimately brings the scam to light.
Keywords: Telecom industry, scam, Client Channel Developer, summer job, unethical practices, Portugal Telecom, family, field visits, market penetration, complaint
In the Month of July by Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël in 1889
As you read through Ana's story and immerse yourself in the emotions and experiences she went through, we recommend listening to the curated playlist of songs from the late 90s and early 2000s. These tracks not only capture the essence of that era but also help evoke the feelings of betrayal, resilience, and growth that Ana experienced. By tuning in to these songs, you'll be able to connect with her story on a deeper and more relatable level, enhancing your reading experience and adding a layer of nostalgia. So, sit back, press play, and let the music transport you back in time as you follow Ana's journey.
Natalie Imbruglia - "Torn" (1997)
Alanis Morissette - "You Learn" (1995)
U2 - "Beautiful Day" (2000)
R.E.M. - "Everybody Hurts" (1992)
No Doubt - "Don't Speak" (1995)
Introduction
My cousin and I have always been like sisters, and when her daughter, whom I'll call Ana, took on a summer job as a Client Channel Developer in the telecom industry in Portugal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her new venture. Ana was a bright and motivated young woman, eager to learn and gain experience in the working world. This job seemed like the perfect opportunity for her to grow both personally and professionally. However, we never imagined that this seemingly innocent position would lead Ana down a path of deception, betrayal, and ultimately, the exposure of an entire scam operation. In this blog post, I will share Ana's experience and the lessons she learned from this eye-opening journey, as well as its impact on the parent company and its employees.
Starting the Job and Initial Observations
When Ana first started working as a Client Channel Developer, she was trained and certified to gather information on public opinion about changing to a new telephone service, as Portugal Telecom held a monopoly on landlines at the time. Her job initially involved spending three days a week in the office and two days conducting field visits to households and businesses in specific geographic areas. The office environment was lively, filled with young people like Ana who were excited to be part of this growing company.
Ana and her colleagues attended meetings and received training materials that detailed the benefits of the new telephone service they were promoting. The company's sales pitch highlighted the drawbacks of the current monopoly and the potential advantages of switching to their service. The excitement was palpable, and Ana felt motivated to contribute to the company's success.
Changes in the Job and Unraveling the Scam
As the weeks went by, Ana and her colleagues were told that they needed to conduct more field visits and sell their telecom packages to the public. They were given sales quotas and were offered commission-based contracts as freelancers, with the promise of making substantial money if they succeeded. The company paraded a few employees who claimed to be making a fortune from this arrangement, further motivating Ana and her colleagues to sign up.
As the pressure to sell increased, Ana and her colleagues started revisiting addresses marked as interested, only to find that many of them had already been contacted and sold discounted packages. Confused and frustrated, Ana couldn't understand why her supervisors seemed unbothered by their failure to meet sales objectives. Moreover, she noticed that the focus had shifted from gathering valuable market information to simply selling as many packages as possible.
"A good con artist doesn't just steal your money; they steal your trust and leave you feeling like a fool."
- R. Paul Wilson, "The Art of the Con"
The Scam Revealed and Its Widespread Impact
It was at a family gathering that I introduced Ana to a childhood friend of mine who happened to be the head of accounting at the parent company of Ana's employer. Upon learning about Ana's position, my friend's face dropped, and he urged her to leave the job immediately, revealing that it was a scam. He explained that this scheme was not only taking place in Portugal but also in Spain, Brazil, and Argentina. The company would use the information gathered by employees like Ana to target the most interested households and businesses, offering them substantial discounts and special offers through their call center in Spain.
The ethical environment in the parent company had deteriorated significantly since the acquisition of this subsidiary. My friend confided in me that many employees, including himself, were considering leaving the company due to the unethical and sometimes illegal practices they were witnessing. The scam had created a tense atmosphere among the management staff, driving away one of the best senior staff members in the company. The accounting department was directly affected by the scam, as they were responsible for tracking and reporting the financial performance of the subsidiary. The pervasive unethical practices cast doubt on the integrity of their work and had a negative effect on the company's bottom line. This situation had led to a decline in the overall morale of the employees and had tarnished the reputation of the parent company.
The Aftermath and Consequences for the Company
Ana and her colleagues filed a complaint with the authorities, leading to the company being bought out and the management fired. The news of the scam spread like wildfire, casting a shadow over the entire telecom industry and raising questions about the oversight and regulation of the sector. The parent company was forced to reevaluate its business practices, and many employees decided to leave, seeking a more ethical work environment.
The scam had far-reaching consequences, not only for the employees directly involved but also for the parent company and the industry as a whole. It served as a wake-up call for many to take a closer look at the companies they were working for and the ethics behind their practices.
Lessons Learned as a Family
As a family, we learned several important lessons from Ana's experience with the telecom scam. First and foremost, we realized the importance of being cautious and vigilant when entering the workforce, especially in industries where unethical practices might be more prevalent. We also learned the value of speaking up and taking action when confronted with wrongdoing. By coming together as a family and reporting the scam, we were able to put an end to the deceptive practices and potentially save others from falling victim to the same scheme.
Additionally, we discovered the power of family support and unity in the face of adversity. Our unwavering commitment to each other during this challenging time allowed us to navigate the situation with strength and grace.
Conclusion and Reflection
As I look back on Ana's experience with the telecom scam, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I am saddened and angered by the fact that my cousin's daughter had to endure such deception and betrayal at such a young age. On the other hand, I am proud of her courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Ana's story serves as a reminder that scams and unethical practices can be found even in seemingly innocent summer jobs. It is crucial for all of us to remain vigilant and cautious in our professional lives and to hold the organizations we work for accountable for their actions.
The unethical behavior within the parent company and its subsidiaries had far-reaching implications not just for those directly involved, but also for the entire workforce. The toxic environment created by the scam drove talented and skilled employees away, resulting in a decline in the quality of work produced. This, in turn, had a negative impact on the company's bottom line and tarnished its reputation.
This experience has not only brought our family closer together but also taught us valuable lessons about the importance of trust, integrity, and perseverance. It has shown us the ripple effects of unethical practices within a company and how they can affect the lives of countless individuals, both directly and indirectly. As we move forward, we will carry these lessons with us and continue to support one another in the face of any challenges that may come our way.
Ultimately, Ana's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unethical business practices and the responsibility we all have to stand up against them. By doing so, we can help create a more just and equitable working world for ourselves and future generations.
"The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It... Every Time" by Maria Konnikova
"Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work" by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare
"Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces That Shape Behavior" by Jonah Berger
"The Art of the Con: How to Think Like a Real Hustler and Avoid Being Scammed" by R. Paul Wilson
"Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Rip-off Artists" by Frank Abagnale
If you found Ana's story insightful and impactful, we kindly ask you to share it with your friends, family, and colleagues. Let's work together to raise awareness of unethical practices and foster open discussions around workplace ethics.
Simply click the "Share" button below to share this post on your social media platforms or via email. We would appreciate it if you could tag us and use the hashtag #AnasStory to help spread the message.
Thank you for your support in creating a more ethical working world. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and engaging in meaningful discussions around this topic.
We hope you found Ana's story insightful and thought-provoking. Your thoughts and opinions matter to us, and we would love to hear your perspective on the lessons learned and the importance of ethics in the workplace.
Please take a moment to leave a comment below, sharing your thoughts or personal experiences related to the issues discussed in this post. By engaging in open discussions, we can create a supportive community and raise awareness of the consequences of unethical practices.
Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to reading your comments.
Aria with questions and comments to start:
"My cousin and I have always been like sisters [why?],
and when her daughter, whom I'll call Ana, took on a summer job as a Client Channel Developer [cold caller?]
in the telecom industry in Portugal [did she have to travel overseas or was she already there?] ,
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her new venture [why?].
Ana was[?] a bright and motivated young woman, eager to learn and gain experience in the working world. This job seemed like the perfect opportunity for her to grow both personally and professionally [why?].
However, we never imagined that this seemingly innocent position would lead Ana down a path of deception, betrayal, and ultimately, the exposure of an entire scam operation. [Strong claims that are not explained]
In this blog post, I will share Ana's experience and the lessons she learned from this eye-opening journey, as well as its impact on the parent company and its employees. [Not currently delivered in this piece]
When Ana first started working as a Client Channel Developer [?], she was trained and certified to gather information on public opinion about changing to a new telephone service, as Portugal Telecom held a monopoly on landlines at the time [so she was a cold caller?].
[...]
Changes in the Job and Unraveling the Scam [the scam is never explained]
As the weeks went by, Ana and her colleagues were told that they needed to conduct more field visits and sell their telecom packages to the public. [...]
It was at a family gathering that I introduced Ana to a childhood friend of mine who happened to be the head of accounting at the parent company of Ana's employer. Upon learning about Ana's position, my friend's face dropped, and he urged her to leave the job immediately, revealing that it was a scam. [Yet he did not blow the whistle as head accountant?]
He explained that this scheme was not only taking place in Portugal but also in Spain, Brazil, and Argentina. The company would use the information gathered by employees like Ana to target the most interested households and businesses, offering them substantial discounts and special offers through their call center in Spain.[OK so they were using them for lead generation and cutting the salespeople out of the loop..... is that what we are talking about?]"
If we can get to the bottom of those questions I will re draft up to this point. I would do away with the summary, playlist and change the picture but we can discuss that. Do you still want to do this? Michael
Ana was 21 at the time, she’s 44 now, married with 3 kids and works in HR for a big telecom.
We were just talking about the post yesterday, she said she loved it but thought it was a bit short, that it lacks a lot of information, I reminded her that it’s a blog post, not a book…