If you’re looking for a job, you may see ads for firms that promise results. Many of these firms may be legitimate and helpful, but others may misrepresent their services, promote out-dated or fictitious job offerings, or charge high fees in advance for services that may not lead to a job.

Before you spend money responding to placement firms or completing placement contracts:

• Reject any company that promises to get you a job.
  
  
• Be skeptical of any employment-service firm that charges first, even if it guarantees refunds.
  
  
• Get a copy of the firm’s contract and read it carefully before you pay any money. Understand the terms and conditions of the firm’s refund policy. Make sure you understand what services the firm will provide and what you’ll be responsible for doing. If oral promises are made, but don’t appear in the contract, think twice about doing business with the firm.
  
  
• Take your time reading the contract. Don’t be caught up in a rush to pay for services. Stay away from high-pressure sales pitches that require you to pay now or risk losing out on an opportunity.
  
  
• Be cautious about purchasing services or products from a firm that’s reluctant to answer your questions.
  
  
• Be aware that some listing services and “consultants” write their ads to sound like they are jobs when they’re selling general information about getting a job.
  
  
• Follow up with the offices of any company or organization mentioned in an ad or an interview by an employment service to find out if the company is really hiring.
  
  
• Be wary of firms promoting “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs. All federal positions are announced to the public at no charge at www.usajobs.gov.
  
  
• Check with your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General’s Office, and the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed about a company with which you intend to do business. You also may contact these organizations if you have a problem with an employment-service firm.

VIDEO | Job Search Scams Overview
 
TRANSCRIPT | "Finding a job is tough and it's hard work. You're looking for a way to earn money, not give it way, but it can be awfully tempting to pay someone who promises you a job.

'I was desperate and the ad said cleaning jobs were available. I called the number in the ad and they said I could start working as soon as I paid a hundred dollars for certification.'

'I'd been looking for a job for months and needed help. For four thousand dollars they guaranteed me interviews with their clients and said they would refund my money if I wasn't satisfied.'

Scammers advertise jobs exactly where legitimate employers do. On popular website, in the classifieds, and even on TV. The ads sound so promising whether it's for hourly work or an executive-level job. Every ad raises your hopes, but ads placed by scammers come with a twist. You have to pay, and then, there is no job.

'It turns out there is no job, no certification, and no chance I was going to get my money back.'

'There was no access. There were no clients. Not only did I get no interviews, but they kept every dime I paid.'

'What a waste. The study materials that were supposed to help me get a postal job were useless, and the company I paid had nothing to do with the Postal Service.'

Let's face it. Many con artists are good at what they do. They can sound very convincing. Especially when your defenses are down. They may say they've got a job waiting for you, or they might guarantee to place you in a job, but you can't believe the promises. Even when you want to. Legitimate companies don't make promises or guarantees about jobs.

If an employer or employment service firm wants you to pay, even if they say it's for certification, training materials, or for their expenses placing you with the company, don't do business with them. Legitimate employers and firms don't ask you to pay for the promise of a job. Some listing services and consultants write their ads or phone scripts to sound like they have jobs waiting for you. The truth is, they're only selling information about looking for a job. Information that's generally available for free.

Remember, you shouldn't have to pay to get paid. Don't pin your hopes or your money on a promise. If you've been the victim of a job scam and paid someone for a job that didn't exist, we want to hear about it. Complain to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-FTC-HELP. Letting the Federal Trade Commission know about your experience can help put an employment scam out of business. For more information, visit ftc.gov/jobscams."