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Graphic button link to the official job site of the U.S. Federal Government, USAJOBS

You never have to pay for information about job vacancies or employment opportunities with the U.S. government or U.S. Postal Service. But some scam artists are victimizing many Americans by selling information about federal job opportunities. These scam artists advertise in the classified sections of

newspapers and offer – for a fee – to help job seekers find and apply for federal jobs. In truth, federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service never charge application fees or guarantee that an applicant will be hired. Some fraudulent companies even try to confuse consumers by using names that sound like those of federal agencies,

like the “U.S. Agency for Career Advancement” or the “Postal Employment Service.”

If you have concerns about a company's advertisement for employment services, you can file a complaint online with the FTC.


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Federal and Postal Job Scams: Tip-offs to Rip-offs - En Español [TXT]

Federal Job Scams [TXT]

Help Wanted...Finding a Job [TXT] [PDF]

Federal and Postal Job Scams: Ads That Don't Add Up [TXT] [PDF]


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To file a complaint, click the button below.

Link Button to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

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These following links go to websites of other organizations. The FTC does not necessarily endorse the views expressed on these websites or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information or privacy policies on them.

  • USAJOBS - The official job site of the United States Federal Government

  • U.S. Postal Service Employment - The official site of mail processing and corporate employment with the United States Postal Service

  • FirstGov - The United States Government's official Web portal

  • USDOL/ETA - The United States Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration page of job resources

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The FTC is providing this ad free of charge to media outlets that wish to help prevent federal and postal job scams.

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3/20/01
FTC Continues to "Stamp Out" Job Fraud [TXT]

2/5/01
Florida Company Agrees to Settle Charges of Misrepresenting Availability of U.S. Postal Service and Federal Wildlife Jobs [TXT]

4/17/00
Florida Company Charged with Misrepresenting Availability of U.S. Postal Service and Federal Wildlife Job Opportunities [TXT]

1/22/98
FTC and U.S. Postal Service Deliver Special Message to "Stamp Out Job Fraud" [TXT]

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