Frauds and Scams

Sales scams:

• Do not answer your door to door to door solicitors, even if they say they are with the utility or other reputable company. Call to verify this, they usually don't send someone out unannounced
• Resist high pressure sales. True businesses will respect the word "no." Call the company and report the salesperson. This will also help verify that they were legitimate.
• Be sure to ask for the information in writing before you commit to anything.
• Don't buy into a service contract where they will come back on an annual basis since so many contractors are difficult to locate or out of business.

Mail Fraud

• Do I have to pay to receive the "prize" or enter a sweepstakes? You should never have to pay to receive a prize or enter a sweepstakes contest. If you do, it's illegal.
• Am I a "guaranteed" winner or told "no risk is involved?" If you're told you're a guaranteed prize winner or that there's no risk involved, be skeptical.
• Is the lottery offer from a foreign country? Any lottery that involves a foreign country and is conducted through the mail is illegal.
• Charity or sweepstakes--or both? "By returning your entry form, you could be the winner of $20,000 cash!" These are charity sweepstakes. Legitimate charities don't ask for donations in conjunction with a contest. The problem is that many phony charities use names that sound or look like respected organizations.
• Do I have to give any personal or financial information? Don't give your financial information--Social Security number, credit card, or bank account numbers--to callers you don't know. If it's a reputable group, this information won't be requested.
• Am I pressured into responding right away? Don't be pressured into making an immediate decision. Get all information in writing before you agree to enter a contest, make a purchase, or give a donation.

The next time you visit your parents, other elderly family members, or older friends, Postal Inspectors advise you to watch for these areas of concern: 

• Look for stacks of unsolicited mail proclaiming the recipient to be "a guaranteed winner" or offering lottery tickets for sale.
• Watch for an unusual number of packages on hand containing inexpensive costume jewelry, plastic cameras, or wristwatches.
• Note if they are receiving unsolicited telephone calls from fast-talking operators offering "fantastic" opportunities to claim prizes or make sure-fire investments. If so, you can arrange for an unlisted phone number.
• Volunteer to help balance their checkbooks, and ask about any questionable checks or sudden, large withdrawals. Offer to go over credit card statements to ensure that only authorized purchases are listed.
• Offer to pick up their mail to see if they are receiving unsolicited sweepstakes or lottery offers. If so, they may be on a variety of "sucker lists" being circulated by con artists. Have a trusted family friend help check the mail daily.
• Talk to them about evaluating offers they receive in the mail or on the phone from someone they don't know. Suggest that they talk over such offers with someone before accepting them.If you suspect fraud, contact the Postal Inspection Service.

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