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Samantha Hayes ReportingA desperate search for employment almost led a Provo woman to make a huge mistake. She answered an ad in the newspaper for a job as a postal worker, but the U.S. Postal Service didn't put it there.
Solicitations come to us all the time, by phone, through the mail, Email. So we hang up, throw it away, or delete it. But this scam targets people looking for work.
Danya Sorenson, Unemployed: “After searching for a year you start to think 'What is wrong with me? Please! I need a job so badly', and you can easily get suckered into these things."
It almost happened to Danya Sorensen. She saw an ad in the newspaper for postal workers. It's also listed on the paper's web site.
Danya Sorenson: “Wonderful benefits, wonderful wages. Just the things you are looking for when you are supporting a family.”
With four kids and her husband temporarily out of work, Sorensen called right away. She was asked for her name, whether she is a U.S. Citizen, her education.
Danya Sorenson:” And then the last question was ‘do you have a credit card, or a checking account number?’ and I said I don't."
Investigators say these scams come and go so quickly, it’s hard to catch them. And often the people who can least afford it are the victims.
Francine Gianni, Utah Department of Commerce: “We would just strongly encourage them to look for the proper sources. Consult locally which is their county. Find out if any services are available, and then extend that up to state government and federal government from there."
Sorenson called personnel at the Post Office and found out that the agency isn't even hiring right now. She feels this scam is particularly deceptive.
Danya Sorenson: “I feel like they were representing themselves as the postal service and that the postal service was looking for people to work."
If you run into one of these scams, save yourself and other folks some trouble and contact the state commerce department.
