Mail Fraud

Mail Fraud

o Read the offer carefully. Get the advice of another person
whose opinion you trust.

o Deal only with companies or charities whose reputation and
integrity are known.

o Never give your credit card number or personal, financial or
employment information unless you know with whom you are dealing.

o Never send money for any "free" merchandise or services. o Be
careful of making impulse purchases.

o Keep a record of the order, notes of the conversation and copies
of the advertisement, canceled check, receipt, letters and
envelopes.

o Take the time to shop locally and compare products, services and
prices to those in local stores.

o Check out the company with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,
your state or local consumer protection agency, or the Better
Business Bureau. Mail fraud is a federal crime.

o Using your credit card or a money order might give you some
recourse if you have a problem, despite your carefulness.

Be suspicious of "free gifts" that require a "tax payment" or
"registration fee;" sweepstakes requiring an entry fee or
purchase; employment or work-at-home opportunities requiring a fee;
offers requiring your credit card number or bank account number;
loans that require you to pay a fee in advance; mailings that look
like they are from official government agencies, when they are not;
and prize notices requiring you to call a 900 number.

Telemarketing

While many legitimate businesses use the telephone to make their
sales, it's easy for fraudulent companies to abuse the phone.
Beware of the con artists who promise anything and deliver
nothing, or at least not what customers thought they were
getting.

Tips for Smart Telephone Shopping

o Always keep a record of the name, address and phone number of
the company, goods you ordered, date of your purchase, amount you
paid (including shipping and handling) and method of payment. o
Keep a record of any delivery period that was promised. o If you
are told that the shipment will be delayed, write the date of that
notice in your records and the new shipping date, if you've agreed
to wait longer.

o Don't give your credit card number, checking account number or
other personal information to a telemarketer unless you are
familiar with the company or organization, and the information is
necessary in order to make your purchase.

Telephone Order Rights

o Some states have telemarketing laws that require written
contracts, automatic cancellation periods or registration of
telemarketing companies. Contact your state or local consumer
protection agency. Federal telephone order rules require
companies that take consumers' orders by phone, computer or fax to:

o ship the merchandise within 30 days of receiving a completed
order or within a different timeframe if it is stated in their ads;


o notify consumers if shipment can't be made on time and give them
the choice of waiting longer or receiving refunds; and o cancel
their orders and return their money (or give them credits on their
charge accounts) if the revised shipping date can't be met, unless
the consumers agree to another delay. Use Caution and Common Sense

o Don't be pressured into acting immediately or without the full
information you need.

o Shop around and compare costs and services.

o Report all fraudulent activity to your consumer agency. Check
the company out with your consumer protection agency or the Better
Business Bureau.

o If the solicitation came by mail, call the Postal Crime
Hotline at 1 (800) 654-8896 (toll free) for more advice on not
becoming a victim.

o Call the National Fraud Information Center, administered by the
National Consumers League, at 1 (800) 876-7060 (toll free) for
information about telemarketing fraud.