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Thinking about applying for a job with the United States Postal Service (USPS)? Make sure you’re dealing with the real thing. Scammers advertise jobs that don’t actually exist to try to steal your money and personal information — and one way they do that is by pretending to be USPS. So how do you know if that postal ad or offer you get is a scam?

Let’s start with how this might play out: a scammer posts an ad or listing for a (fake) mail processor or other job at USPS. It links to a website that looks like a real USPS website, with the logo and everything…but it’s a copy. And when you reach out, they tell you there’s a fee for a “registration,” “application,” or “employment” package. Or a fee to apply. Or a fee to take the Postal Service exam. See a pattern here?

No matter what they say, here’s the takeaway: It’s always free to apply for a postal job. And information about job openings with USPS is free and available to everyone.

So remember:

  • Don't pay for the promise of a job. Honest employers, like USPS and other government agencies, will never ask you to pay to get a job. Anyone who does is a scammer. If you ended up paying a scammer, contact the company you used to see if the payment can be reversed.
  • Use official websites — like usps.com/employment or USAJobs.gov — to find and apply for jobs with USPS or other government agencies.

And if you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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It's free to apply for USPS jobs. Don't pay to apply or take an exam for a postal job. That's a scam.
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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

CAH
April 11, 2024

Great advice! I wished I had learned about consumer.ftc.gov.
Very helpful information! My Sister is grateful as well! Thank you

Barbara Eaton
April 11, 2024

Great info. I was a government employee for 30 years.

Editha
April 16, 2024

Scammers are just in the corner wherever you for living.
Technology makes us easy to apply Job that you don’t have to go the exact locations but we have to be careful not to go in the wrong people.

Clyde Tolson
April 23, 2024

In reply to by Editha

Site postalserviceplacement.com is a SCAM operating from Burberry Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Look exactly like the USPS site. BUT they ask for a Registration Fee of $39.

Clyde Tolson
April 19, 2024

The website postalserviceplacement.com falsely advertised that they are USPS online and stupid me, i paid thinking I would see the actual application. Firstly, there was no opening in my city like they had advertised online, secondly, I realized they were a scam and asked for a refund and they said that I needed to wait 30 for money back guaranteed, should I not be chosen. How am I supposed to be chosen if there is no opening in my area. I did as they suggested to apply in a different city and I did and ended up not being selected. Then they said take an assessment. How in the world do I force take an assessment I was never given or considered for. Basically, this company is a big joke and runs you in circles.

Neetusingh
April 26, 2024

They r using Amazon part time requirements job so everyone trusted on them

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