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Others Types of Fraud
Other types of fraud include:
Government Look-Alike Mail
Those brown envelopes with the name, return address, and seal resembling that of the government can be deceptive, confusing, and illegal. Most times these solicitations or requests are for donations for political causes.
Foreign Lotteries
Offer the use of mail order purchasing of lottery tickets or for a share in a lottery pool.
Chain Letters
Letters that guarantee the winning of money by placing your name on the bottom of the list and mailing it on to a certain number of individuals. This is done through the mail as well as on the internet.
Phony Job Opportunities
These scams offer unbelievable claims about job opportunities. Ads misrepresent wages and the number of jobs available, and require fees to receive more information.
Unsolicited Merchandise
Companies send people random gifts hoping that the person will feel guilty and pay for it. Be aware that you can mark it "return to sender" and mail it back.
Sexually Oriented Advertisements
Companies send unsolicited sexually provocative material to your home. There is a form from the US Postal Service that can stop delivery of unsolicited sexually oriented material.
Charity Fraud
Most mail solicitations for charitable contributions are legitimate but many are also fraudulent. A good rule of thumb to remember is to donate to charities that you know, be suspicious of those that accept only cash and make checks or money orders payable to the charity, not to an individual.
Insurance Fraud
Scam artists will offer any type of insurance possible at high premiums. Watch for requests for cash payments, lump-sum payments, last-chance insurance bargains, and requests for a signature on a blank insurance form.
Medical Fraud
Offers of pills, powders, lotions and other gimmicks to heal medical problems.
Land Fraud
Brochures and pamphlets offering land for sale in a warm hospitable climate with recreation and conveniences that sound too good to be true - most times are just the opposite. Always visit the property before deciding to buy. Get verbal promises and guarantees in writing and obtain a property report from the salesperson.
Contact the Better Business Bureau to determine if there have been any complains against the developer, and contact a local real estate broker to obtain price comparisons of land nearby.
Home Repair Fraud
Mail brochures offering to do an expensive job for a low price. Once you sign the contract and the work is done, it is not usually long before you notice why the price was so low. Always get several estimates. Verify the companies name and address with the Better Business Bureau and check to see if the contractor has a business license to practice in your town. Make sure you understand the clear meaning of the (written) contract before you sign. Lastly, inspect the finished product before paying and never pay in cash.
Investment Fraud
Attempts to get you to invest money promising a large increase in the value of your investment or higher than market interest on your capital. This type of fraud targets people through the mail and via telephone calls.
Distributorship And Franchise Fraud
You are sent information about investing money in a business. Once your money is invested, the company disappears or goes out of business. Be aware of unrealistic profits, promoters who seem more interested in selling their distributorship or franchise than they are in the product or service being offered, and promoters who are reluctant to let you contact current franchisees.