There's a new alert from the United States Postal Service about bogus job sites and e-mails offering jobs with their organization. This kind of thing happens every time we have a period of tougher unemployment. It even predates the Internet; back in 1991, people received faxes about supposed postal jobs. The Los Angeles Times reports that if you enter "US Postal Service now hiring" in Google, you will see endless listings of suspected postal job scams.

Not only is the USPS not hiring, but they have 160,000 too many employees. They hope to eliminate the excess with voluntary early retirements, not layoffs.

The same ploys are headed our way regarding federal employment, but there really are jobs coming in that arena. Visit USAjobs.gov for full details.

We will have higher unemployment probably into 2010, so you can expect more of the job offer scams in the future. If you feel like there are no job opportunities out there for you, realize that things are cyclical and those circumstances will change. Look for Clark's future discussion of how to seek employment when you need to get out of your native industry.

Earlier this week, Clark told you about a security breach at Monster.com where hackers stole the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of 1.3 million people. There have been so many breaches over the years that we're almost numb to news about them. But now there's reason to believe that the Monster breach could affect more than just a million people. Nobody knows the exact number -- it's just larger than previously thought. So if you've ever posted your information on Monster.com, you need to be aware that criminals are calling people up and pretending to be potential employers or banks to get additional personal information. Once they get your additional info, they have all they need to take your identity or empty your bank account. You should only divulge sensitive information in person at a potential place of employment or a bank. The web is too anonymous and dangerous of a place to share your info via e-mail.

Many people want to do part-time work at home, especially when they have a newborn. But a lot of work-at-home offers are scams. One stat has it that for every legitimate offer you may see, you're going to come across 42 scams. So Clark wants you to be careful if you're looking to work at home. Be sure to avoid the ads in the back of women's magazines about envelope stuffing, doing medical office paperwork and the like. There is, however, one area that's proven legitimate over time: becoming a call center worker from your home. Employers like this option because they don't have to rent office space for you, so it costs them less than setting up a call center. Typical costs for a call-center employee could be $31, while it only costs a company $21 to set you up to do the same work at home. Bear in mind that these figures are not what you'll be earning; they represent what the company pays out of pocket to set you up as an independent contractor. Fortune magazine reports that there are now about 100,000 people involved in such work-at-home businesses. That number is expected to triple in the next 30 months. Be sure to check out Clark's list of legitimate vendors in this field. Not many people know it, but JetBlue was one of the pioneers in the home-based call center industry. Now companies like 1-800-Flowers and J. Crew are also getting in on the action.

On his recent book tour Clark met a gentleman who was about to become a refugee from corporate America due to company downsizing. He decided that buying a franchise was the right way to go from here. Clark asked him what he knew about the industry, and he said "nothing." He said the franchise company promised incredible profits, but you can't always trust their word. Clark asked what his previous field was...he answered computers. Clark asked him why he wanted to go into a field that had nothing to do with his business experience...was he burned out? He said no, he just thought he could make a lot of money with this franchise. But Clark wants you to think long and hard before you do buy one, especially if you're a corporate refugee. Clark's advice: work in the industry first and see if you really like it. Learn it from the inside out, even if it means emptying trash cans at first. Franchises are much harder to sell than buy, so you want to be 100% sure you want to stick with it. Corporate refugees, you have to be especially careful, since what you used to do was very specific, typically. You'll have to be a multi-disciplinary person--a utility player-- if you're going to go from an office into running your own business. If you're not, you're probably not the kind of person who should own a franchise. So what do you do if you have experience but can't find a regular job?. Try consulting. Use the knowledge you gained in the corporate world and put that to use helping others who can benefit from your advice and experience. If you've gained the currency of knowledge, education and training and just kick it to the curb, you'll be throwing the baby out with the bath water!

You’ve probably gotten a call or letter in the mail, asking for your financial help with a certain police or law enforcement organization. People want to help police, but it’s hard to tell if these outfits are legitimate. One group – known as the “Police Protective Fund”- was busted yesterday for illegally soliciting money from law-abiding citizens around the country. The PPF operated out of California and rented mail boxes where the money would arrive. It’s also important to remember that many of the organizations are raising money for union activities. Some people are not aware of that and think the money goes directly to police departments. So, if you get a phone call, don’t give right away. Instead, ask that the caller send you some literature about the organization. If it’s legit, they will happily send you the information. If it’s a sham, you’ll immediately hear a dial tone.

We’re getting closer to summer and the time when more scam artists try to take our money. One of these scams involves young people who sell magazines door-to-door. They claim they are working their way through school by selling magazines, and it’s a lie. The worst part is that these young people work for real lowlifes who have recruited them, moved them across the country and put them out on the road selling all hours of the day. These people, who are usually 18 or 19, are just dropped off in a van and told to sell magazines or they won’t eat. It’s mental abuse and for some reason the young people see no way out. Clark’s advice is to give the young people a little money or help getting home, but don’t buy the magazines. You will pay an exorbitant amount and will probably never see them. And, if you have teenagers who will soon be adults and are looking for a job, remember that this is going on. The ads will claim that the young people will “see the world” and make money while doing it. The truth is it’s extortion and it’s a con. Keep an eye on your kids.

Several years ago, Clark issued warnings over the air about vending machine scams going on out there. Well, apparently, that scam is back, according to Newsday. Ads run in newspapers and on the Web, claiming that these are “business opportunities” that will make you up to $800 a day in side income. The organizers say they find highly-populated companies that need machines and they tell you how many you need. One man bought 60 vending machines for $15,000, and the company places them. After eight months, he made less than $100 a week and the machines are now sitting in his garage. Clark thought this scam was over, but it’s actually growing again. If you believe you can make money off vending machines, buy them one at a time and see how each one does. Costco Wholesale sells machines one at a time and they are legitimate. If you have success, you can buy another and then another.

Clark has talked in the past about the mistreatment of school teachers. Teachers are usually offered very inferior retirement plans. And now there is a criminal element involved. Annuity salespeople are taking a massive chunk of teachers’ retirement savings and the teacher unions are letting it happen. Clark doesn’t understand why legislators allow teachers to have an inferior retirement plan to begin with. Now, like bees to honey, many offers available to teachers are corrupt, overpriced and unfair. Unfortunately, it’s up to teachers to provide for their own retirements. Teachers should go to tiaa-cref.org and set up a plan there. If you have your plan with another organization, transfer it to TIAA-CREF immediately. It’s safe and fair.

If you’re a regular listener to the show, you know how important education is to Clark. He’s been a strong supporter of advanced degrees, including online degrees. But in the midst of it all, phony colleges have been popping up like bad weeds. There are hundreds of officials who used our tax dollars to purchase phony degrees that got them a higher salary. As a result, we the taxpayers got burned twice. One of the employees of the Homeland Security Department claimed she had a degree from Hamilton University in Wyoming, which doesn’t exist. It’s not just happening in the government. People in corporate America have bought phony degrees. You’ll get e-mails about it, and many people take advantage of it. If you’re an employer, check out your potential hires thoroughly. And, if you’re thinking of buying one of these degrees, you may want to think again. More and more companies are going after workers with phony degrees. You could lose your pride as well as your job.

Clark often reports on ripoffs going on in the consumer world. Today, he has a Top 10 list of scams, schemes and scandals, provided by the state regulators who watch over financial analysts and brokers. Drum roll please…. The No. 10 scam is variable annuities. If you don’t know what these are and you don’t have any, good. If you do, you don’t want to put any more money into these plans. They have massive commissions and are absolutely horrible for your wallet. No. 9 are scandalous mutual fund companies. No. 8 is Internet fraud. No. 7 are “high yield investment” scams. Some that Clark has received calls on involve exotic overseas investments that are a complete scam. Insurance agents who sell people bogus investments come in at No. 6. Most insurance agents are honest, but a number of them have been involved in very scandalous affairs. No. 5 are church ripoffs. Just because someone seems religious does not mean that person is on the up and up. At No. 4, phony brokers. Just because someone says something is going to be a great investment doesn’t mean it will. Promissory notes – or fake CDs – are No. 3. These are promises that someone will pay you later if you give them money. But there is no guarantee, and it’s not safe. No. 2 is any kind of scam against seniors. If you’re not involved in your parents’ finances, be nosy! And, the No. 1 scam in the U.S. involving your wallet are Ponzi schemes. These are schemes where criminals recruit people to pay back other people who have invested, and then you have to recruit someone once you’re in. Eventually, these collapse because there are no more people willing to “invest.” There a lots of people who will sell you sizzle, but that’s all it is.