BBB: Watch for Postal Job Scams

The Better Business Bureau of Mississippi is warning Mississippians to not fall for ads promising federal jobs, in exchange for hefty up-front fees.

Signs on utility poles and in classified ads promise you can make excellent money working for the U.S. Postal Service and other federal agencies. One ad recently seen in Jackson promises you can make an average of $57,000 per year working for the U.S. Postal Service. However, the BBB called the number and were told that, in exchange for a $99 fee, job-seekers would get a training manual and a test to take at home. Although the representative would not name the company for which she worked, she promised that an 80% or higher score on a job test would guarantee employment.

“Consumers should know that these companies are looking to cash in on something that consumers can get for free,” said Bill Moak, President of the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi. “In addition, don’t believe any guarantees that you will get a job. Unfortunately, people who are jobless are often asked to pay money they can ill-afford to lose.”

The U.S. government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) makes federal job listings available for free through local libraries, and on the Internet at www.usajobs.opm.gov. There are no charges for applying for any federal job. Federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service never charge application fees, sell study guides for job tests, or guarantee that an applicant will be hired. If positions require a competitive examination - and many do not -the federal agencies doing the hiring usually offer free sample questions to applicants who sign up for the exam.

To help you recognize federal job scams, the Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Trade Commission, suggest you be aware of the following types of ads or techniques used by scam artists.

Ads that offer information about "hidden" or unadvertised federal jobs.
Ads that refer to a toll-free phone number. Often in these cases, an operator encourages you to buy a "valuable" booklet containing job listings, practice test questions, and tips for entrance exams.

Classified ads or oral sales pitches that imply an affiliation with the federal government, guarantee high test scores or jobs, or state that "no experience is necessary."

Toll-free numbers that direct you to other pay-per-call numbers for more information. Under federal law, any solicitations for pay-per-call numbers must contain full disclosures about cost. Also the solicitation must make clear if there is an affiliation with the federal government. You must have a chance to hang up before you incur any charges.

If you have questions about a company's advertisement for employment services, contact the BBB at www.bbbms.org. Information is also available from the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

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