ATLANTA -- Some Georgia-based companies claim they can give people access to steady income and job security with the U.S. Postal Service, but a CBS 46 investigation looks at why many people say they were scammed.

With rising unemployment rates and hiring freezes, Kim Florence, a single mother, thought she was one step closer to job security when she came across an advertisement for a job with the U.S. Postal Service.

“I thought that it was my foot in the door,” Florence said.

The advertisement had her call an 800 number, where she was encouraged to buy a study guide for $130. The operator told her the guide would help her pass the Postal Service exam and get a job. According to Florence, the operator also said there was a money-back guarantee if she didn’t pass the exam.

But the ad wasn’t from the Postal Service. It came from a company in Gwinnett County called U.S. Work Alliance, which is also known as Exam Services or Testing Authority.

Passing an exam is a requirement to get a job with the United States Postal Service, but postal officials say study guides are free.

“It shouldn’t cost them anything if they are dealing with the postal service,” spokesman Michael Miles said.

Miles also said the exam isn’t offered in Georgia right now.

“There is a general freeze in hiring,” according to Miles.

Florence said she feels like she’s been scammed.

Tyler Long, the CEO of Exam Services, said confusion like Florence’s wasn’t his intent. He wasn’t available to meet with us, but instead provided an interview he videotaped himself.

“We don’t want anyone to be misled…but if you want one of those jobs, you need to do well on this exam. That’s where we step in,” Long said.

Long also said his company offers a more comprehensive guide than the one offered by the Postal Service, and he said he has many satisfied customers.

Long’s company is one of the biggest distributors of the postal exam guides. They sell them across the country.But his company is not the only one selling the books.

Recently, Georgia courts stepped in, demanding that companies like Long’s offer disclaimers that they are not the Postal Service. But consumers have said those disclaimers can be difficult to find and confusing.

In a statement, the Better Business Bureau recommended that consumers use caution in dealing with the company.

The Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs conducted an investigation that resulted in Exam Services paying a monetary settlement to more than a dozen clients.

But that settlement didn’t help Florence. She has the $130 study guide, but no postal job and no money back.

“I’ve got 3 children. $130 is a week’s worth of groceries in my home.”