WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsBBB investigates Florence company

BBB investigates Florence company

By Lindsay Housaman - bio | email

FLORENCE, SC (WMBF) - The Better Business Bureau is investigating Smosska, a company that says it has been established in Florence since 2001 and is slated to move forward with a mass hiring in the upcoming weeks.

CEO and President Michelle Adams told WMBF News Smosska is a company that creates electronic medical records that are put onto cards. Adams said the work load has increased, prompting the hiring of new employees.

Adams told WMBF News, Smosska currently employs 24 people. She says they are looking to hire 400 people within the next three weeks and 3,000 when all is said and done.

"When we say 3,000 people, it's not just Florence. We're talking South Carolina, North Carolina - there eight different states. This is going to be the headquarters of Smosska," said Adams.

She says her company works in eight different states across the area serving clients including hospitals, doctors and pharmacies.

On Monday, the company set up at the National Guard Armory in Florence to take applications and give assessment tests. The assessment test costs $40. That cost is one reason why the BBB is investigating the company.

"Going and paying for a fee up front, that just makes me nervous," said Kathy Graham of the Better Business Bureau.

But, Adams told WMBF News the fee for the assessment test would later be used to pay for employee drug testing and background checks.

Graham told WMBF News between the fee, the large number of employees needed in such a short time, and no company location are just a few of the concerns that prompted the BBB to look into Smosska.

"This could be the most legitimate company and the greatest thing to come to Florence, and I hope in my heart of hearts that is the case," Graham said. "But, until I have some solid evidence of that, I need to tell people to be cautious."

Adams said, "We are legit and we're going to go ahead with Smosska."

Company officials met with the Florence County Economic Development Partnership on Wednesday afternoon to discuss growth plans. Assistant Director Kyle Edney told WMBF News the meeting went well.

"We're interested in talking with any company that's planning to create jobs here in our community," she commented.

Smosska will continue to take applications and give assessment test through Thursday.

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