US Postal Inspectors target mail fraud in campaign

The US Postal Inspection Service has teamed up with the Federal Trade Commission for a campaign against mail fraud. They have launched a new consumer education initiative in which every household in the country will receive information detailing the warning signs of fraud.

Millions of American consumers each day are targeted by schemes from “con artists”, the Postal Inspectors said, warning that successful cons “seriously harm” victims, who may lose their life savings if not careful.

Through the new mailing campaign, householders will be advised to keep all records of financial offers, and get guarantees in writing before acting on offers.

The Postal Inspection Service investigates any crime involving the US Mail, whether it originates with the mail itself or from telephone or internet communications, for example through eBay or PayPal.

Types of mail fraud range from non-delivery of paid goods to misleading mail-order advertisements and the mailing of defective merchandise. Other forms include shipping merchandise that was never ordered, then demanding payment.

Fake work from home scams, impersonations and fake charity donations are other scams that often involve the mail.

Using the mail in any way to further a criminal act constitutes mail fraud, said chief postal inspector Guy J Cottrell.

“We’re out to stop criminals-and the American public can help. Once you learn about fraud, you can avoid being scammed,” he said.

The campaign is being funded with revenues from fines and damages collected from criminals convicted of mail fraud.

Last year, Postal Inspectors arrested nearly 1,300 suspects for mail fraud in the US, and blocked nearly $9m worth of fraudulent packages.

The service also prevented more than 12,000 fraudulent transactions from taking place via the USPS website, which would have been worth $1.7m.