Recognizing and guarding against mail fraud.
Mail fraud schemes use the Postal Service to target victims for monetary gain. Victims are often robbed of more than money—some lose personal information and spend long, frustrating hours rectifying the damage. Mail fraud schemes evolve all the time, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself from harm.
Identifying mail fraud
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has identified common types of mail fraud based on its content and victims targeted:
- Typically use postcards or letters directing you to websites or call centers for more information
- Once you call or click, you’re prompted to provide a prerequisite to collect your prize (pay a fee, buy a subscription, or verify your identity with personal information such as your Social Security number)
Remember:
- Real contests, prizes, and sweepstakes are always free
- Bank on your sense of duty and patriotism; may target you hoping to get at your military pension or benefits
- Examples include:
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- Bogus pyramid schemes
- Discounts promising services for work that’s never done
- Official-looking documents that urge immediate action to prevent loss of military benefits
- Fake charities
Remember:
- Legitimate military and veteran job boards never require payment, credit card, or banking information
- Verify charities at: CharityWatch.org or CharityNavigator.org
- The VA never requests personal information by phone, text, or email. If someone claims to be from the VA and asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number, hang up and call the agency directly at 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411)
Fraudulent mailings often target senior citizens tend to exploit vulnerabilities in their understanding of technology and their reliance on services such as Social Security or Medicare. Potential scams include:
- Letters purporting to be from government agencies, warning that action must be taken to prevent loss of services
- Mailings warning a potential victim that they could lose their home or apartment unless unpaid taxes or fees are paid immediately
Remember:
- Never give anyone your personal information over the phone, by email, or mail if you don’t know why they’re requesting it, especially if you did not initiate the communication
- Have another trusted person confirm the request before proceeding – don’t let them rush you
- Scammers love to prey on desperate victims looking for housing, but you don’t have to fall for it
- Illegitimate housing assistance agencies might send mailings leading you to websites or phone numbers that prompt you to provide personally identifiable information or ask you to pay money for a Section 8 voucher
Remember:
- Legitimate housing assistance agencies should have marketing materials, agency acronyms, and a public website that align exactly with each other. Their website should have a long history of posts with no grammatical errors
Thieves stealing mail from home mailboxes or postal drop boxes has been identified as a pathway to check forgery and identity theft.
- Consider direct deposit to receive your payments or benefits checks
- Birthday cards (often containing money, gift cards, or checks) and outbound bills containing checks are obvious in the mail and can be easily stolen, with bank numbers exploited on the dark web; consider online bill paying or in-person delivery
Tips for guarding against mail fraud
1) Take your time. Legitimate offers don’t rush you. Offers that force you to act quickly are ones you should pass up for a good reason.
2) Check the facts. Even if an offer seems reasonable, double-check the details to verify its authenticity, especially if you receive mail that prompts you to make a payment or follow up on an action you don’t recall taking. It couldn’t hurt to get a gut check on the matter from a trusted friend or relative.
3) Give it the side-eye. If something sounds too good to be true, it may well be. Check in with the Better Business Bureau or your state attorney general to see if there are any complaints against the organization before proceeding.
4) Don’t be pressured by hard sells related to mail offers. Remember that YOU are in control of your conversations, and you can always hang up the phone at any time—especially if you’re being pushed toward an unwanted transaction. Never think you’re being rude when someone is trying to scam you.
5) Sign up for Informed Delivery service. This free service from the USPS allows you to get a daily email preview of your incoming postal mail and packages, which you can monitor using an online dashboard or the USPS Mobile® app.
6) Opt for an app instead of paper checks. Using an app (such as Venmo or Zelle) in place of paper checks has several security advantages over using paper checks. Read about those features here and here.
If you must mail a paper check payment, go to the post office in person and hand deliver your sealed envelope to the clerk yourself. Do not drop it in a blue mail box outside the post office, as thefts from these boxes have been increasing.
7) Secure your mailbox. Locking mailboxes are now available in many residential, condominium, and apartment communities. Monitor your mailbox with a camera-equipped doorbell or other security camera. Use the “Hold Mail” option at the Postal Service when traveling, and hand deliver any sensitive mail directly to the Post Office, as necessary.
If you have questions about fraud or SCU’s fraud monitoring service, call us toll-free at 888-599-2265.