Watch out for employment scams
The first rule when you're looking for a job: never pay money upfront just to fill out an application.
A KOMO viewer contacted the Problem Solvers about on a Craigslist ad offering good pay and full benefits with the U.S. Postal Service. But she was going to have to pay nearly $100 just to register to test for the position.
It's promoted as a chance to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing company, or so the ad claims. The Craigslist posting for a customer care clerk looks official enough to get you to call the toll free number.
The recording message tells you:" All applicants must take a required exam called the postal battery exam and score at least 70% or higher to be considered for employment."
And you have to pay $99.50 to register for the exam.
The recorded message claims there are thousands of postal positions across the country, including here in Seattle.
But when we asked USPS spokesman Ernie Swanson how many positions were available, he told us what the headlines have been saying for some time.
"We're really not hiring for any positions currently," said Swanson.
Even before the economy went south, the U.S. Postal Service was facing budget cuts and service reductions because fewer consumers are using USPS services. There's a freeze on all management positions. As for any other jobs that come available, "We're filling them internally for the most part. It's very rare anymore that we hire anybody off the street." Swanson added.
The ad's just a big scam to get your money.
"Well, what they're doing is they're preying on a weak economy," said U.S. Postal Inspector Jerry Styres.
The Problem Solvers alerted the Postal Inspectors to the ad. They had no knowledge of posting.
"As soon as we saw it, we contacted Craigslist legal, and we had them take it down. They took it down within a day, which was pretty impressive," Styres explained.
The ad may be off Craigslist, for now, but you can bet there are others just like it all over the Internet, and probably newspapers too. So spread the word: the postal service is not hiring.
As for paying a big fee to register for an postal exam, remember: any job offer that makes you pay up front to apply or get information is a big red flag.
"The postal service gives you documents that would help you with the test. You don't need to go to these other agencies and pay an exorbitant fee for materials." said Swanson.
For more information:
Fraud schemes
FTC: Consumer Alerts
FTC: Consumer Education
Attorney General warns of bogus employment scams
A KOMO viewer contacted the Problem Solvers about on a Craigslist ad offering good pay and full benefits with the U.S. Postal Service. But she was going to have to pay nearly $100 just to register to test for the position.
It's promoted as a chance to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing company, or so the ad claims. The Craigslist posting for a customer care clerk looks official enough to get you to call the toll free number.
The recording message tells you:" All applicants must take a required exam called the postal battery exam and score at least 70% or higher to be considered for employment."
And you have to pay $99.50 to register for the exam.
The recorded message claims there are thousands of postal positions across the country, including here in Seattle.
But when we asked USPS spokesman Ernie Swanson how many positions were available, he told us what the headlines have been saying for some time.
"We're really not hiring for any positions currently," said Swanson.
Even before the economy went south, the U.S. Postal Service was facing budget cuts and service reductions because fewer consumers are using USPS services. There's a freeze on all management positions. As for any other jobs that come available, "We're filling them internally for the most part. It's very rare anymore that we hire anybody off the street." Swanson added.
The ad's just a big scam to get your money.
"Well, what they're doing is they're preying on a weak economy," said U.S. Postal Inspector Jerry Styres.
The Problem Solvers alerted the Postal Inspectors to the ad. They had no knowledge of posting.
"As soon as we saw it, we contacted Craigslist legal, and we had them take it down. They took it down within a day, which was pretty impressive," Styres explained.
The ad may be off Craigslist, for now, but you can bet there are others just like it all over the Internet, and probably newspapers too. So spread the word: the postal service is not hiring.
As for paying a big fee to register for an postal exam, remember: any job offer that makes you pay up front to apply or get information is a big red flag.
"The postal service gives you documents that would help you with the test. You don't need to go to these other agencies and pay an exorbitant fee for materials." said Swanson.
For more information:
Fraud schemes
FTC: Consumer Alerts
FTC: Consumer Education
Attorney General warns of bogus employment scams