Need advice please! *New developments, scam thoughts*
So, yesterday I saw an ad in the paper to work for the post office. I called today and everything was great until the woman I was speaking with said that the study guide to take the test to get the job cost $130. I gave her my debit card info to take the money out tomorrow morning, BUT I am totally broke because of it. In fact I have to pay less than half of my car payment just so I can have what I think might be enough money to keep gas in my car (which I won't have to worry about if they suddenly decide to reposses my car, since I am behind on my payents and they are assholes like that). And I didn't pay any of my other bills.
So, that's one part of it. The other part is, I work at Wal Mart and my pay there is less than ideal ($8.75 an hour) and working as a postal service worker for the government I would get $20 an hour, maybe more plus benefits and paid vacations. ;)b
I'm just really bummed out at being broke and I know my dad will be mad when he realizes I didn't pay my full car payment and can't pay anything else, probably still after I tell him why. And I am really tempted to say forget it and just pay my bills and look for a second job.
What would you all do? Really any advice, or suggestions will be appreciated.
It depends on what your chances are at getting the job. If there's only one opening, it will likely go to someone already known to the Post Office. It shouldn't work that way, but it often does. If there are many positions open, then go for it, but don't buy the guide until you've asked around for a copy on Freecycle and checked your local library.
That is a predicament. Can you get a second job until the one with the p.o. comes through? Are you just $130 short? If so, maybe you could ask your dad to float you a loan so you can still make your bill payments. Good luck to you!
Well, I just called the library and they do have study guides for the test but I called the customer service number for the post office testing place and the woman said I have to have a 2008 study guide for it to be valid, since the test will be very similar to the test guide. And as I understand it, there are many openings and the head post office thing is doing the hiring in my area not just one post office.
And yeah I am just $130 short, I'll be okay next pay day, it just sucks being totally broke right now. Also, if I fail the test (which I won't), If I don't get offered a job after passing the test, and if I get the job, I'll get my money back.
And if you pass the test, you can then sell your study guide to recover some of the expense.
It takes a loooooooong time to get a government job. You need to do whatever you need to do to pay your bills and keep your credit in good shape, even if this means a 2nd job now. They are more than likely going to do a credit check.
Good luck.
Now I'm paranoid that its a scam. Read this and then the ad and tell me what you think.
Federal and Postal Job Scams: Tip-offs to Rip-offs
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 fraudulent promoters 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. 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."
Fraudsters may lie about the availability of federal job openings in your area. For example, the Postal Service has few vacancies for career positions, and for many of the entry-level jobs, you must take a written examination. Postal Service hiring takes place at the local level through 85 district offices. If someone tells you that postal jobs are available, check with the Postal Service to determine if hiring is taking place and if an exam is required for eligibility. The tests usually are offered every few years in any particular district because of the high volume of applicants.
Federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service never charge application fees or guarantee that an applicant will be hired. If positions require a competitive examination - and many do not - hiring agencies typically offer free sample questions to consumers who sign up for the exam.
It's deceptive for anyone to guarantee you a high score on the postal entrance examinations required for rural carrier associate, clerk, city carrier, mail handler, flat sorter machine operator, mail processor and markup clerk jobs. These exams test your general aptitude, something you can't necessarily increase by studying. Attending workshops, studying exam techniques and taking practice questions won't assure you of a top score on the exam - and even a top score doesn't guarantee that you'll be hired. You must meet other requirements, including passing a background check and a drug test. Some veterans receive hiring preferences.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management urge job seekers to avoid falling for these tip-offs to federal and postal job rip-offs:
Classified ads or verbal 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 phone 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.
Toll-free numbers that direct you to other pay-per-call numbers for more information. Under federal law, any solicitations for pay-per-call numbers must contain full disclosures about cost. Also, the solicitation must make clear if there is an affiliation with the federal government. You must have a chance to hang up before you incur any charges.
If you have concerns about a company's advertisement for employment services, contact:
Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or www.ftc.gov.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Your local office is listed in the blue (Government) pages of your telephone directory.
Your state attorney general or your local Better Business Bureau.
Federal job information is available through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's USAJOBS at www.usajobs.opm.gov. Information on postal jobs is available at your local post office. In many areas, the Postal Service offers a job information hotline with current hiring announcements. Also, check the Postal Service website at www.usps.gov.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Now the ad:
POST OFFICE NOW HIRING!
Avg Pay $20/hr. $57Kyr, includes Fed. Ben, OT.
Placed by adSource, not aff. w/USPS who hires.
1-866-533-6594
What do you think?
Oh. Somehow or other, I thought you found the job through the USPS website. What you posted sounds like a scam to me.
It says not affiliated with USPS...
I'm taking the money out of my account as I type this.
Also, report them to the USPS and newpaper.
Yeah, I spent some money so that payment will not go through. Now I want to get ahold of someone at the newspapers and forward them that article I posted, but I don't know if they'll actually do something and take the ad out of print or something.
Also, I "cancelled" that payment but I'm going to see if those people try anything on me. I'm just glad I got the library to order those study guides from other libraries.
Thanks to everyone who posted. You really did help a lot. :)>>>
This is my first post but like many I have been around Vegweb for quite a while. I have worked for the Postal Service for 20 years so I thought I would chime in. This is definitely a scam. The Postal Service never charges for exam study materials. If you are interested in taking a postal exam contact your local post office and they should be able to direct you to the local Hiring and Testing office which can give you information concerning upcoming test dates. Once you take an exam you are placed on a roster in order of test scores. Best of luck in your job search.
This is my first post but like many I have been around Vegweb for quite a while. I have worked for the Postal Service for 20 years so I thought I would chime in. This is definitely a scam. The Postal Service never charges for exam study materials. If you are interested in taking a postal exam contact your local post office and they should be able to direct you to the local Hiring and Testing office which can give you information concerning upcoming test dates. Once you take an exam you are placed on a roster in order of test scores. Best of luck in your job search.
Wow...that sounds a lot easier than the other, dunnit?
Any money upfront always makes me wary, particularly with "job placement" schemes. It usually means, they have your money and you have bubkes.