The American Council on Education is seeing more complaints from people who paid steep fees to take what they mistakenly thought were exams administered by the General Educational Development Testing Service.

"GEDTS is deeply concerned with a recent increase in the number of Web sites purporting to offer GED testing online or through the mail," said Sylvia E. Robinson, ACE assistant vice president and executive director of the GEDTS. "We would like everyone to know - and share with others - that the GED Tests are not currently offered online and can only be taken in person at an official GED Testing Center."

Furthermore, Robinson said, "Any services that purport to offer a GED credential through any other means are not affiliated with GEDTS or ACE, may be of dubious value, and may deliver a product that is not accepted by employers, colleges and universities, or the military."

GED testing is administered locally by each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Canadian provinces and territories, the U.S. insular areas, U.S. military and federal correctional institutions.

According to Robinson, GEDTS is increasing its efforts to alert the public and education community to Web sites that infringe on the GED trademark and brand and offer diplomas and certificates that may have dubious value.

To locate your nearest testing center, use the ACE Web site at http:--www.acenet.edu/resources/GED/center_locator.cfm.