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Mail scams
Mail scams use the authority of official-looking envelopes and letterhead to create trust. Fake checks, sweepstakes notifications, government notices, and charity solicitations arrive by post and push recipients toward payments or personal information disclosure.
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Watch for
- The letter claims you won a prize but must pay fees or taxes to collect.
- A check arrives unexpectedly with instructions to deposit and wire part back.
- The notice uses government-style letterhead but the return address is a PO box.
- The solicitation pressures you to respond immediately by phone or wire transfer.
mystery shopper check scam
Victims receive an unsolicited check with instructions to deposit it and evaluate a wire transfer service by sending money back.
Never deposit unsolicited checks from unknown senders.
Job seekers
U.S.
cashier's check fraud
Scammers produce convincing counterfeit cashier's checks that initially pass bank verification but are later returned as fraudulent.
Call the issuing bank directly using a number from their official website to verify any cashier's check.
Sellers
U.S.
counterfeit money order scam
Fraudsters create fake money orders that closely resemble genuine USPS or Western Union instruments but are ultimately worthless.
Verify money orders by calling the issuer directly — USPS at 1-866-459-7822 for postal money orders.
Sellers
U.S.
check washing scam
Criminals steal mail containing checks, use chemicals to erase the payee and amount, then rewrite them for larger sums to different recipients.
Use gel pens or security ink when writing checks, as they are resistant to chemical washing.
Small business owners
U.S.
prize check advance fee scam
Victims receive a check along with a letter claiming they won a prize but must pay taxes or fees upfront to claim their winnings.
Remember that legitimate sweepstakes never require upfront payment to claim a prize.
Sellers
U.S.
resort prize trip scam
A notification claims you won a free resort stay, but the trip is a cover for a high-pressure timeshare sales pitch with hidden costs.
Remember that legitimate sweepstakes do not require payment or attendance at a sales event to claim a prize.
Vacationers
U.S.
third-party warranty scam
Unaffiliated third-party companies sell vehicle or home service contracts with misleading mailers designed to look like official manufacturer notices.
Read the fine print on any warranty mailer carefully to determine if it is from your actual manufacturer
Car owners
U.S.
inheritance advance scam targeting elderly
Scammers contact elderly individuals claiming they are entitled to a large inheritance or unclaimed estate, but must pay upfront fees for taxes, legal costs, or processing.
Never pay upfront fees to receive an inheritance — legitimate estates do not require beneficiaries to pay processing costs out of pocket.
Seniors
U.S.
directory listing scam
A company sends an invoice or renewal notice for a business directory listing that was never ordered, pressuring the business to pay for a worthless or nonexistent listing.
Review all invoices against actual purchase orders — never pay without verifying the service was ordered.
Small business owners
U.S.
fake government compliance notice scam
Businesses receive official-looking letters or emails claiming they must pay a fee or file paperwork to comply with a government regulation that is either fake or already handled by existing filings.
Verify any compliance requirement directly with the government agency referenced in the notice.
Small business owners
U.S.
merit award notification scam
An unsolicited email or letter congratulates you on winning a merit-based scholarship you never applied for, then asks for a disbursement fee or tax payment to release the funds.
Remember that you cannot win a scholarship you never applied for — treat unsolicited awards as scams.
High school students
U.S.
domain renewal invoice scam
A fake invoice arrives by mail or email urging you to renew your domain name through an unauthorized registrar at an inflated price, sometimes transferring your domain away.
Check your actual registrar account directly to verify your domain's renewal status and expiry date.
Small business owners
U.S.
advertising invoice scam
A fake invoice for advertising services — such as a Yellow Pages listing, online directory, or Google Ads — is sent to businesses that never authorized the purchase.
Read every invoice carefully, including fine print — look for disclaimers indicating it is a solicitation, not a bill.
Small business owners
U.S.
trademark registration invoice scam
After filing a trademark, businesses receive fake invoices from unofficial entities demanding payment for trademark registration, monitoring, or publication services.
Only pay trademark fees through the official trademark office website (USPTO.gov in the US) or through your registered attorney.
Small business owners
U.S.
annual report filing fee scam
A company receives an official-looking notice demanding payment for its annual report filing, but the notice comes from a private company charging far more than the actual government fee.
File your annual report directly through your state's Secretary of State website to pay only the actual government fee.
Small business owners
U.S.
fake property management company scam
Scammers pose as a new property management company claiming to have taken over HOA duties, redirecting all resident payments to fraudulent accounts.
Contact your HOA board members directly to confirm any management changes before sending payment.
Homeowners
U.S.
special assessment fraud scam
Fraudsters send fake special assessment notices demanding large one-time payments for fabricated building repairs or community improvements.
Verify any special assessment by contacting your HOA board or attending the next board meeting.
Condo owners
U.S.
fake HOA lien notice scam
Homeowners receive fraudulent lien notices claiming unpaid HOA dues will result in a lien on their property, demanding immediate payment to a fraudulent entity.
Contact your HOA directly to confirm whether any balance is owed on your account.
Homeowners
U.S.
ethnic heritage award scam
Victims receive notices claiming they have been selected for a prestigious ethnic or cultural heritage award, requiring fees for the ceremony, plaque, or certificate.
Research any organization offering unsolicited awards by checking with established cultural institutions.
Genealogy enthusiasts
U.S.
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