NCJ Number
107940
Date Published
1985
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This public information booklet provides guidelines for preventing mail fraud and theft.
Abstract
Mail fraud is defined as a scheme to obtain money or anything of value by offering a product, service, or investment that does not live up to its claims. Types of fraud may include phony medical and weight-loss products, work-at-home schemes, solicitations for nonexistent charities, insurance policy and investment schemes, land sale fraud, lotteries, chain letters, fraudulent distributorship and franchise opportunities, and false job advertisements. Consumers who have been conned should provide the Postal Inspection Service with information on the individual seller or firm, copies of correspondence and advertisements, and method of payment. To prevent mail theft, consumers should never send cash through the mail, make sure their mailbox is in good condition, collect mail promptly, contact the issuing agency if checks or other valuable mail are not received when expected, and notify the post office immediately of any address change. Neighborhood Watch programs are recommended to help prevent mail theft.