DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO?

Beware of imposter scams! The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will participate in National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 2-8, 2025, to educate American consumers on the dangers of imposter scams and how to avoid them.

NCPW is a grassroots campaign focusing on consumers understanding their rights, while providing tips to consumers on preventing frauds and scams. Each year the Postal Inspection Service, working with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers guidance based on trend analyses of the most common frauds and scams identified by consumers.

As part of NCPW, postal inspectors are reminding consumers to beware of IMPOSTER SCAMS: the person on the other end of that digital communication might not be who they claim to be. These scams are designed to steal money and identity. Each of the four types of imposter scams starts with messages like, “I’m in trouble…,” “I need…,” “You’ve won!…,” or “I have a great offer for you!” These scammers lull consumers into a false sense of trust, gain access to privileged information, and then drain financial accounts.

You don’t have to be a victim. If you recognize a scam, you can stop a scam. Learn more about the most common imposter scams below.

Mailin' It! Podcast Episode 67: Spotting Imposter Scams

Beware of Imposter Scams

Beware of Imposter Scams

Scammers will contact you in multiple ways pretending to be a government or law enforcement agency. If they demand payment or your personal information, don't respond. It's an imposter scam.

  • Investment Scams

    Investment opportunities or “get rich quick” schemes are a favorite of fraudsters. Whether they sell bogus securities or commodities, oil wells or gold coins, these fraudulent promoters try to get you to invest your money – and lots of it.

    Even smart investors can fall for a well-orchestrated investment scam. Take the Ponzi scheme, for example. Named for Charles Ponzi, who in the early 1900s duped 30,000 Americans out of an estimated $10 million dollars.

    1. Do your research

      Independently verify profitability claims. Never invest solely on what you read in a newsletter.

    2. Don’t feel pressured

      Watch out for high-pressure sales pitches and unsolicited offers. Get all information in writing before you consider investing.

    3. Watch out for “once in a lifetime” chance

      Never fall for a “once in a lifetime” chance to make big money if you don’t act quickly.

    4. Check Better Business Bureau

      Research the company’s reputation with your local Better Business Bureau or state attorney general’s office. You can also find more information about consumer rights at the Federal Trade Commission

    5. There are no guarantees

      Remember, investing in oil, gas, or gold can be risky, and there is no such thing as a guarantee.

  • Grandparents Scams

    Have you ever received a frantic call from someone posing as your grandchild? Scammers will call or email grandparents to make urgent requests for bail money, lawyer’s fees, hospital bills, or other fictitious expenses. To make the story seem plausible, the scammer will add details about how, what or where the emergency happened, or tell you that a third person, such as a lawyer, doctor or police officer, will “explain everything to you” if you call him or her. Once the money is sent, the scammers are long gone and the grandparent loses hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

    1. Verify the story before sending money

      Before sending any money, verify the details of the story with the relative that the scam artist is claiming to be or other trusted family members or friends.

    2. Be suspicious of urgent requests

      The scammers’ preferred methods of payment are wire transfers or reloadable prepaid credit cards. Be suspicious of any urgent requests to wire money or provide credit card numbers over the phone.

    3. Be wary of late-night calls

      Remember, scammers may call late at night to confuse their potential victims.

    4. Think before acting

      Don’t be quick to act, be quick to think.

  • Romance Scams

    Unfortunately, the Internet, social media, and dating websites are perfect for tricking susceptible Americans into romantic relationships. Scammers will pretend to be interested in an unwitting person and, after building a rapport, ask them to send money or to cash a check or money order. Often, the scammers create urgency by claiming to have a medical emergency or promising to come to the U.S. to be with that person—as long as a check or money order is cashed to cover expenses. None of their stories are true. Anyone who is socially isolated is susceptible to this scam.

    1. First

      With any Internet-based relationship, keep your personal details to yourself.

    2. Next

      Do a quick Google search of the other person’s name and the town they claim to be living in.

    3. From There

      Proceed slowly and look for inconsistencies in the other person’s profile and the information they share.

    4. Stay Vigilant

      Keep an eye out for signs the relationship is moving in a direction that it wouldn’t otherwise go if meeting in real life.

    5. Stay Aware

      As you get to know the other person, gently apply the brakes if your new friend pushes to take the conversation to private email. Stay on the website’s platform until it’s time to meet in person.

    6. Always Remember

      If your new love interest begins to ask for money to visit you, or for any emergent need… Stop! This is a warning sign you could have encountered a romance scammer.

  • Foreign Lottery and Sweepstakes Offers

    You’ve Won! A familiar phrase, filled with excitement, however, that joy will be short-lived if you fall victim to a lottery or sweepstakes scam. Lottery and Sweepstakes offers are designed to pull you in with the excitement of a “big win,” but all these offers are worth nothing more than the ink on the paper you received in the mail, or the time you spent on the phone with the scammer. If you must pay to play, it’s a scam.

    1. Never pay to win

      A contest you pay to enter is considered an illegal sweepstakes. Don’t pay to enter or to win.

    2. Avoid foreign sweepstakes

      Avoid any sweepstakes that involves a foreign country. If a lottery or sweepstakes is based in another country and conducted through the mail, it’s illegal.

    3. Don’t give out financial information

      Never give out personal financial information such as bank accounts or credit card numbers to enter a sweepstakes contest.

    4. Don’t feel pressured

      Take your time. Don’t be pressured into making an immediate decision to enter a contest, make a purchase, or give a donation.

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Remembering these tips will help you identify a scammer and put a stop to their web of lies.

For more information on fraud prevention and tips, visit our website at https://www.uspis.gov/tips-prevention.

If you believe you have been a victim of a fraud or any crime related to the U.S. Mail, please report it at www.uspis.gov/report, or call postal inspectors at 877-876-2455.

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