We're taking a look at a classified ad that's been running in the local paper. It appears to be advertising lucrative jobs for the US Postal Service. But don't be fooled by the headline.
It's a classified ad that says the Post Office is now hiring with advertised starting salaries close to $60,000 including benefits.
It's not surprising that a lot of job seekers have called the 1-800 number looking to apply.
But the folks who answer the phone aren't the ones doing the hiring.
Wilmington attorney Haman Holland said, "It's sort of a bait and switch. When you call that number, it becomes Exam Services."
One of Holland's clients was pretty miffed when he found out the company that posted the ad has absolutely no relation to the US Postal Service.
But if you look at their web site, it sure looks like their trying to pass as the USPS. There's a stamp on the top of the page, a red, white and blue design and even a woman carrying a stack of mail.
Holland said, "The short version is this company sells study guides for the US postal exam. They describe four jobs that just sound wonderful, starting out nearly $60,000 a year, no education requirements, it's just like you're a shoe-in if you go through this course."
And that's the catch. The study course to help you pass the entry level postal exam costs $100. And officials at the Post Office say you don't need to take a prep course. If you want a job at the Post Office you should contact them directly..
Attorneys and postal officials seem to agree that what Exam Services is doing is not illegal, but it is misleading. The company has hundreds of complaints filed against them with the Better Business Bureau.
An Exam Services spokeswoman declined to give us an interview, but insisted her company is providing a legitimate service.
postal jobs
i just want to make a couple of quick comments-first, the usps gives extra points to veterans or husband/wife of a veteran. so if you score a 90 on the exam and the veteran does too, they will get the job because they will get an extra 5 or 10 points added to their score because they are a vet. secondly, these jobs are very hard to acquire unless you get an extremely high score on the exam. you have to get at least a 90 on the test to even be considered. i got an 80 some years back and it wasn't enough. thanks
Post Office Scam
I fell for this ad last weekend and called the number. I thought they sounded legit and purchased the materials. I saw your newcast the same day my materials arrived and I realized this was not the USPS. Is there anything I can do now? I gave them a credit card # to purchase what I thought was a legitimate service.
Thank you,
Barbara Logan
misleading ad
If it sounds too good to be true then 99% of the time it IS NOT. Simple way is to confirm with the US Postal Service to see if they are hiring or check the US Postal Service website - www.usps.com.
Barbara, have you opened the
Barbara, have you opened the box? If not, return it to the post office and write on the box "Refused." But, if it is open the post office will not accept it without paying for the shipping costs to send it back. You can return it and call your credit card company to dispute that pruchase. Tell the credit card company about the missleading tactics and the shady business practice they have been doing.
p.s: If you want to study for the exam go to usps.com and they have practice exams.
Exams
These companies have been doing this for years.
The Postal Service will never charge anyone
or offer materials at a price in how to take the postal exam. The facts are that when they
open an examination it will be posted in your local newspaper and how to apply. Once you apply and you are given a time and place of exam they will send you samples of what the exam looks like. In some Districts the Diversity Specialist will put on classes on how
to take the Postal Exam so that you can familiarize yourself with the exam, it is always free and I suggest that she calls her local Inspection Service and turns these people
in, return whatever she has received as advised above (without opening the package) otherwise she will have to pay to have it send back and call her credit card company and stop
the charge.