Fighting Mail Fraud

(NAPS)—Consumer fraud is big business. To help cancel out mail fraud, the U.S. Postal Inspec- tion Service wants to make consumers aware of these top five mail fraud schemes: Stamping out mail fraud is now easier. Consumers can file their complaints online. e Advance fee loans. A con artist offers a “guaranteed” loan for a fee paid in advance. Prizes or sweepstakes. Congratulations! You’re the lucky winner of one of four prizes! You simply have to pay a “processing fee” to find out what you’ve won. Charity Frauds. Either the moneynevergets to the charity or the charity doesn’t exist at all. e Failure to render merchandise or services. Includes Internet auction fraud. Employment schemes. The con artist charges you for materi- als you could have gotten for free from the hiring government agency—which may or may not have openings. If you are the victim of mail fraud, you can nowfile your complaint online at the Postal Inspection Service’s Web site, www.usps.com/postalinspectors. Visitors to the site can complete the form and submit it electronically with one keystroke. Consumers maystill obtain the complaint form from their local post office, by downloadingit off the Internet, or by dialing 1-800- 372-8347. we----- eee. GK ------------Feb 5-11 has been designated National ConsumerProtection Week, though this arti- cle is evergreen and can be used throughout the year.