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To a young person, help wanted ads may sound tantalizing, but the stories behind them often reveal an ugly truth. Many teen summer jobs are little more than ways to exploit a person's youth and inexperience.

The real stories are like something right out of Dickens. Six guys and girls wanted to rock and roll across the country making money, but it turned out to be a dozen kids stuffed in a van traveling to strange cities selling cleaning products door to door.

Not all scams involve traveling. Some are designed to take one's money right from home.

“E-mails that ask you to transfer funds in order to learn about a job opportunity, those that ask you to buy a starter kit in order to be able to participate in an employment opportunity — these are some things that should raise a red flag for those seeking employment,” says Maritere Arce of the New York State Department of Labor.

Teens looking for legitimate employment should first contact the Department of Labor.

“If you’re 14 to 21 and interested in obtaining a summer job, you should visit one of the New York State Department of Labor one-stop centers,” says Arce. “They’re located throughout the city. And there you will receive tips on how to prepare your resume, how to conduct yourself during an interview, and most importantly, you’ll be connected to companies that have real, reputable summer jobs that could put you on a career track.”

Similar programs exist through schools and community colleges. A little checking could put teens on the path to a job in no time.