Q. In December 2005, a company called Federal Careers Institute scammed me out of $1,185. It promised to get me a job with the United States Postal Service, which turned out to be a lie. When I realized this, I notified the Better Business Bureau, the State Attorney's Office, the Federal Trade Commission and Gov. Jeb Bush's office. All answered that I didn't have enough proof.
In September 2006, The Miami Herald reported that Federal Careers Institute was sued by the Florida Attorney General (then Charlie Crist), alleging that it scammed more than 2,600 out of $5 million for falsely promising postal jobs to those who paid for a ``training program.''
I've tried to get my money back with pro bono legal help to no avail. A private lawyer would cost me more than what I'm trying to get back.
I'm 66. Can Action Line help?
-- S. Sanchez, Hialeah
A. We contacted the Attorney General's office, which arrived at a settlement with the company in 2006. It recommends you call its Citizens Services number -- 850-414-3990 (not toll-free.)
However, restitution looks unlikely. Investigators haven't managed to unearth any assets or income to garnish. The investigation is active, though, the AG insists; staff members continue to review subpoenas to verify whether there is, in fact, any money left.
