Job Ads, Job Scams, and "900" Numbers -- September 1992

`I saw an ad in the newspaper for a construction job. The ad
said to dial an "800" toll-free number for an application. When I 
called, I was told to dial a "900" number to find out about job 
openings in my area. When I called that number, a recording told 
me to send a stamped self-addressed envelope to have a job 
application mailed to me. All I got was a one page generic job 
application and a "900" number charge for $39.00 on my phone 
bill.'
 ... paraphrased from a sample complaint letter to the FTC.

Beware of employment ads directing applicants to call "900" 
telephone numbers. You will be charged either a flat fee or a 
per-minute charge for each "900" call, and the charge usually is 
much greater than the toll for an ordinary long-distance call.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently sued two companies 
advertising jobs in the U.S. using "900" numbers. These companies 
not only failed to disclose the cost of each call, which ranged 
between $10 and $18 per call, they also provided little, if any, 
information that would lead to a job. Some consumers had to call 
back several times to write down the recorded information and 
were billed for each call.

The FTC also sued two other firms that advertised they would find 
overseas jobs for upfront fees of as much as $600. One of the 
companies claimed it had information on more than 10,000 
currently available overseas jobs and that its customers would be 
matched with at least three prospective employers. The FTC 
charged that few, if any, of the company's job seekers received 
even an interview, much less a job.

How to Protect Yourself

The FTC suggests the following precautions before you spend money 
to respond to job ads or sign job placement contracts.

l	Know what a "900" number call will cost before you make the 
call. Reputable employment-service companies will state these 
costs upfront. If you have problems with charges on your phone 
bill for "900" numbers because of calls made to a fraudulent 
business, contact your telephone company immediately. You can ask 
your phone company to delete the charges, although it is not 
legally obligated to do so. AT&T cannot disconnect your phone for 
failure to pay. For policy information related to other carriers, 
call the carrier or the Federal Communications Commission.

l	Realize that employment-service firms can only promise to 
help you find a job; they cannot guarantee that they will find 
you a suitable one.

l	Check with your local consumer protection agency and the 
state Attorney General's Office to see if they have received any 
complaints about an employment company with whom you intend to 
sign a contract. Ask for a company's references and call them.

l	Most important, read your contract carefully before you sign 
it. If the employment-service representative makes claims that 
are not in the contract, remember the contract is what counts.

If you are looking for a job and want assistance in doing so 
without spending much money, consider the job information 
resources listed below.

Free Resources

In addition to the classified ad section of your newspaper, a 
number of free information sources are available. Check your 
telephone directory for local listings.

State job-service offices post job vacancies. They also provide 
some counseling and referrals to other job sources.

Local and county human-resource offices and information referral 
services offer some placement assistance. They can give you the 
names of other groups that can help, such as labor unions or 
federally-funded vocational programs.

University and college career-service offices usually limit their 
assistance to students and alumni, but some may let you look at 
their job listings. They may be a good reference for other job 
sources.

Local libraries also can be a helpful source. Ask the librarian 
for material that can help you write a resume, conduct an 
interview, or compile a list of companies whom you might contact 
about job openings.

For More Information

To learn more about employment-service firms, write to your local 
Better Business Bureau. You also can send for the free FTC 
brochures Job Hunting: Should You Pay  and "900" Numbers by 
writing to: Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference, 
Washington, D.C. 20580. 

If you have a problem with a firm, contact your local consumer 
protection office, Better Business Bureau, the appropriate state 
licensing board, or your state Attorney General. Although the FTC 
cannot intervene in individual cases, the staff monitors job 
placement practices and would appreciate copies of your 
correspondence. Write to "Job Scams", Bureau of Consumer 
Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580.

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