FTC Warns Against Federal, State and Postal Job Scams

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2001 -- The Federal Trade Commission has launched "Making a Buck," a new website at www.ftc.gov/makingabuck to inform consumers about federal and postal job scams, work-at-home schemes and consumers' credit rights. In addition, the FTC Consumer Alert, "Federal and Postal Job Scams: Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs," gives consumers the information they need to spot and avoid job scams.

The FTC offers some reminders to those seeking any government job:

• Information about job vacancies with government agencies is available free;
• Government agencies never charge an application fee, nor do they guarantee that an applicant will be hired; and
• It is deceptive for anyone to guarantee you a high score on any required Postal or civil service exams.

As part of the Consumer Education Campaign, the FTC offers the following

Tip-offs to Rip-offs:

• 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."
• Ads that offer information about "hidden" or unadvertised federal jobs.
• Ads that refer to a toll-free 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.

If consumers have concerns about a company's advertisements for employment services, they should contact the FTC's Consumer Response Center, toll-free, at 1-877-382-4357; or visit the FTC's website at www.ftc.gov.

Information about employment opportunities with the federal government are available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website: www.usajobs.opm.gov.

The USPS is finalizing the Test Orientation Guide for Major Entrance Examinations, which will be available from the USPS web site www.usps.com at no charge shortly. This document provides sample exercises and other information to help interested individuals do their best on the major USPS entrance examinations. It will also provide accurate information about the USPS selection process and employment requirements, contrary to much of the materials provided by these companies