Orlando, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/09/2009 -- For today's 34 to 38 million adults in the US who never graduated from high school, passing the GED test is a pass key to both career and educational opportunities. That's because approximately 95 percent of employers and even more US colleges and universities accept the GED. Many websites offer fraudulent High School Diplomas and GED Credentials for exuberant prices, some exceeding $300.

Don’t be taken in by such scams. It is important to know that one must test at an Official GED Testing Center, typically located at local schools or community colleges. Yet people are still spending hundreds of dollars on fast and easy programs that claim to provide a GED or high school diploma online. The reality is there is nothing fast or easy about the GED Exam. Developed by the GED Testing Service (GEDTS), it requires extensive preparation and it gauges comprehension of the standard high school curriculum.

Here are a few facts to keep in mind:

• Any services that claim to offer a GED credential through any means other than through a GEDTS approved GED Testing Center is not legitimate.
• GED is a proctored test and is never available to be taken on-line. A list of Official GED Testing Centers in Florida can be found on the Florida Literacy Coalition website.
• The services offered by these “diploma sites” are often costly, some exceeding $300. The Official GED Exam is offered for a cost that does not exceed $70.
• Beware of fake accreditation and websites that offer diplomas based on life and work experience.
• The so called diplomas offered by these sites are often not accepted by employers, colleges, universities or the military.

The efforts in creating awareness of GED scams have become great in recent years. Internet access has grown by 138% in
the United States since 2000, and with that growth, comes the opportunity for such scams.

Giving people correct information about where they can get a GED is the best way to reduce the amount of people being robbed of their money, and an opportunity to pursue an education. There are free or low cost GED instructional programs available in every county in Florida. For more information you can go online to the FLC's website and click on the “Get Your GED” section. You can also contact the referral hotline at 1-800-237-5113. The Florida Department of Education’s GED website can be found at http://www.fldoe.org and you can contact the GED Testing Office toll free at 1-877-352-433.

About the Florida Literacy Coalition
Established in 1985, The Florida Literacy Coalition (FLC) promotes, supports and advocates for the effective delivery of quality adult and family literacy services in the state of Florida. As a statewide umbrella literacy organization and the host of Florida’s State Literacy Resource Center, FLC provides a range of services to support more than 300 adult education, literacy and family literacy providers throughout Florida. Special emphasis is placed on assisting community based literacy organizations with their training and program development needs.