FTC warns of Gulf oil spill job scams

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers again about scams related to the BP Gulf oil spill and clean-up effort. This time it's alerting people of fake job ads that could end up costing the consumer money or result in identity theft.

FTC officials have said that scammers will use any means available – e-mails, web sites, door-to-door solicitations, fliers, mailings and telephone calls – to use the disaster to make some money.

Watch out for those who claim to have a job lined up but ask for an upfront fee first, the agency says. Others will claim you need to pay for training or certification. Some scam artists have also lied about being authorized by BP to hire workers. Bogus ads for oil-spill jobs in the Gulf have appeared in newspapers, online and in emails. Some of these are an attempt to gain personal or financial information.