Government and Postal Jobs

Don't be a victim of scam artists who prey upon consumers seeking jobs with government agencies and the US Postal Service. These scam artists place classified ads in newspapers proclaiming that jobs are available with no experience necessary and with high starting salaries. Telemarketers who answer the toll-free numbers listed in the ads tell consumers that they must pay a "registration fee" to apply for employment. Although these firms often masquerade as a government agency, they have no affiliation with the government and the jobs they tout are not available locally. Government agencies and the Postal Service distribute employment information free of charge.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that consumers seeking government jobs are bilked out of $10 million or more each year by unscrupulous telemarketers.

To help job seekers recognize these phony and costly offers, the following are some public service messages put out by the FTC about government employment opportunities:

• Government and postal employment information is free.
• Private firms cannot promise you government or postal jobs.
• Beware of anyone who tries to sell you information about "undisclosed" government or postal job vacancies. The information is free.
• For free government employment information see www.usajobs.opm.gov
• For free information about postal jobs call the number listed in the US Government pages of your local phone book under Postal Service, Employment or Job Information.

This report is general in nature and not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.