A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud

Wasn't it easier back in the day when mail crimes were limited to the scum who stole mail from mailboxes in the hopes of finding a disability check? Now the mail is used for all different kinds of scams and schemes, which leaves every household in America at risk. Identifying possible attempts of mail fraud is the first step, but it isn't always as easy as looking at a piece of mail; they come in clever disguises.

First of all, mail fraud is a federal crime which can land an individual in prison. The problem is that mail fraud solicitors are rarely caught. First, in order for law enforcement to do anything about mail fraud, instances of mail fraud must be reported by consumers who are victims. Secondly, many mail fraud crimes are committed by individuals from foreign countries, which makes their solicitations even more difficult to track.

Mail fraud can refer to any number of pieces of mail that you receive on a given day. Most mail fraud arrives in the form of a solicitation - for a lottery, for example - that is meant to garner funds for a nonexistent organization or charity. Just because an advertisement is printed on glossy brochure paper doesn't mean it's from a reputable or legitimate business.

A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud: Games & Lotteries

Game and lottery mail fraud schemes involve sending advertisements that solicit your entry to win a prize. If the advertisement doesn't come from an organization with which you are familiar, chances are that it is a form of mail fraud. Just to be sure, never enter any kind of game or lottery that requires you to (a) send money; or (b) give out personal information. These are both warning signs that you are falling into a trap.

A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud: Get Rich Quick

In recent years, 'Get Rich Quick' schemes have become more popular in e-mail fraud than in the postal mail. However, I receive one of these at least once a month in my mailbox, which means that they are still a threat. Get rich quick mail fraud refers to any solicitation for a "business opportunity" that will make you thousands of dollars. Usually, there is an investment required. Throw them in the trash.

A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud: Instant Winner!

These are one of the most popular forms of mail fraud, and involve the receipt of a notice in the mail that you are an instant winner. Usually, you have to send in a fee in order to "claim your prize", which means that you will never see this fictional prize. If you think that you may actually be an instant winner, look for a phone number or address and contact the sweepstakes yourself. Never send money to claim a prize; it's a scam.

A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud: Charitable Donations

Fraud that involves supposed charitable donations can occur over the phone, through e-mail, or in the postal mail. Most legitimate charities will not send solicitations through the mail unless you are already familiar with their organization and have made donations in the past. If you receive a phone call, always request literature through the mail, and perform an extensive investigation into the charity before sending money. Further, always write checks or send money orders; you'll have no proof of the donation if you send cash.

A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud: Inheritance

I receive these every day in my e-mail account, and less often through the mail. Someone will contact you, professing to be an attorney in another country who is trying to settle a multi-million dollar estate. They will offer you a percentage of the estate if you claim to be a relative of the "deceased", but first you will have to pay certain administrative costs. This is exceptionally dangerous because not only can you lose several thousand dollars, but you can also be arrested for fraud yourself. Misrepresentation in order to garner funds is a serious crime.

A Consumers' Guide to Mail Fraud: Write It All Down

Whenever you receive something in the mail that you suspect falls into the category of mail fraud, save a copy of the correspondence, the envelope and write down the date it was received. You can forward the copies to the National Fraud Information Center and other consumer organizations, both government and private.