Scam Artists Thrive on American Idol Popularity and Gullible Society

Have you received an award letter in the mail lately? Are you a lucky winner of the "American Idol Sweepstakes" detailed in the letter? If so, you may be the target of a mail fraud scam. For years, consumers have been on the lookout for suspicious mail with unbelievable claims from unheard-of companies. However, scam artists have recently preyed upon the overwhelming success and popularity of "American Idol" to feed their scamming lifestyles.

FOX's "American Idol" website recently posted a news article warning consumers about the "American Idol Sweepstakes" mail fraud scam. On the news posting, FOX and "American Idol" producers urge consumers who receive mail addressed to "American Idol Sweepstakes Winner" to exercise caution. Included in the mailing are instructions to "claim" the sweepstakes prize, along with a phone number and fake checks. Should you receive such a mailing, FOX and the "American Idol" producers ask that you report the letter to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

But is "American Idol" alone? No. According to the 2007 Annual Report of Investigations from the United States Postal Service, mail fraud has involved everyone from credit card users to government employees. The report also states that nearly 9,000 people were arrested under suspicion of crimes involving mail in 2007. In particular, mail fraud resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,200 suspects after the postal service responded to over 27,000 reports of consumer fraud. Almost all of those arrested for mail fraud were convicted.

One of the convicted scam artists, Daniel Josic, was sentenced to just over four-and-a-half years in prison for masterminding a work-at-home scheme. With $2 million in consumer losses, Josic paid a fine of $250,000 in addition to serving the time behind bars. Together, Josic and his brother defrauded between 25,000 and 30,000 consumers by requesting an "advance fee" be paid via postal mail.

Sweepstakes schemes like the recent "American Idol" scam are almost always too-good-to-be-true offers. For instance, the United States Postal Inspection Service reports that a New Jersey consumer paid a $69 fee for shipping and handling on a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. The same bond purchased from the U.S. Government only costs $50. Likewise, a California consumer paid a nearly $400 shipping charge to receive a "free" automobile, which never arrived.

Not all mail fraud scams arrive on the doorsteps of consumers. The United States Postal Service reports that over 309,000 fraudulent foreign lottery letters were seized and destroyed in 2007 before being distributed to consumers. However, many mail fraud scams are not detected by the postal service. If you receive a suspicious letter or too-good-to-be-true offer, the United States Postal Service recommends several actions. First, check out the entire offer and read all of the small print. Secondly, never give personal information to companies or people that you do not know. Finally, never respond to the suspicious mailings; if you respond, the scam artists may further target you in the future. In addition, the postal service notes that older consumers are more likely to fall victim to mail fraud scams than younger consumers.

While mail fraud continues into the twenty-first century through e-mail scams, many scam artists have yet to abandon the postal service as a means to defraud consumers. Always think twice if you receive a strange letter in the mail. If you or anyone you know feel that you have been the target of the "American Idol" scam or any other means of mail fraud, please visit the United States Postal Inspection Service Mail Fraud website to report the suspicious mailing.

RESOURCES:
"Mail Fraud Alert - American Idol News." FOX.
2007 Annual Report of Investigations. United States Postal Service.
"Free Prize Scheme." United States Postal Inspection Service