$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Multi-channel phishing scams
mail then phone call scam
Scammers send an official-looking letter by postal mail, then call to follow up, using the physical letter as proof of legitimacy to extract payment or personal information.
“phishing scam”
↑ 700%Key indicators
Usually targetsOlder adults
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers mail official-looking letters about tax issues, insurance claims, or legal matters to potential victims.
2
Days later, they call referencing the letter to add legitimacy and push for immediate action.
3
The combination of physical mail and a personal phone call overcomes skepticism that either channel alone would face.
What to do first
Verify any letter by contacting the organization directly using contact information from their official website — not from the letter.
Related terms
postal mail plus phone scamletter then callback fraudphysical mail social engineeringMulti-channel phishing scamsMultipleSurgingOlder adultsAll consumersTech workers and developersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadapostal mail plus phone scamletter then callback fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kevin, 35, a older adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate multi-channel phishing scams situation online. Scammers mail official-looking letters about tax issues, insurance claims, or legal matters to potential victims.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Days later, they call referencing the letter to add legitimacy and push for immediate action.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The combination of physical mail and a personal phone call overcomes skepticism that either channel alone would face.
The outcome
Kevin realized something was wrong when an official-looking letter is followed by a phone call referencing the letter's contents. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any letter by contacting the organization directly using contact information from their official website — not from the letter. Kevin's experience shows why an official-looking letter is followed by a phone call referencing the letter's contents and the caller pressures immediate payment or personal information to resolve the matter are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- An official-looking letter is followed by a phone call referencing the letter's contents
- The caller pressures immediate payment or personal information to resolve the matter
- The return address on the letter does not match the official organization's known address
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify any letter by contacting the organization directly using contact information from their official website — not from the letter.
- ✓Never provide payment or personal information to a caller who references an unsolicited letter.
- ✓Report suspicious mail and phone combinations to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The U.S. Postal Inspection Service handles thousands of mail fraud complaints annually, with multi-channel scams becoming more sophisticated over time.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify any letter by contacting the organization directly using contact information from their official website — not from the letter.
- ✓Never provide payment or personal information to a caller who references an unsolicited letter.
- ✓Report suspicious mail and phone combinations to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service handles thousands of mail fraud complaints annually, with multi-channel scams becoming more sophisticated over time.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Older adults, All consumers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Multiple — Multi-channel phishing scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Older adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The U.S. Postal Inspection Service handles thousands of mail fraud complaints annually, with multi-channel scams becoming more sophisticated over time.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about mail then phone call scam
How does the mail then phone call scam work?+
Scammers mail official-looking letters about tax issues, insurance claims, or legal matters to potential victims. Days later, they call referencing the letter to add legitimacy and push for immediate action. The combination of physical mail and a personal phone call overcomes skepticism that either channel alone would face.
What are the warning signs of mail then phone call scam?+
An official-looking letter is followed by a phone call referencing the letter's contents The caller pressures immediate payment or personal information to resolve the matter The return address on the letter does not match the official organization's known address
What should I do if I encounter mail then phone call scam?+
Verify any letter by contacting the organization directly using contact information from their official website — not from the letter. Never provide payment or personal information to a caller who references an unsolicited letter. Report suspicious mail and phone combinations to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for mail then phone call scam?+
This scam primarily targets Older adults, All consumers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Multiple.
Is mail then phone call scam getting worse?+
mail then phone call scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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What to do first
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.