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The Importance of Reporting Mail Fraud, Mail Theft, and Scam Emails/Texts

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Mail fraud and theft are serious crimes that can have a significant impact on victims. By reporting these crimes, you can help to protect yourself and others from becoming victims.

What is mail fraud?

Mail fraud is a crime that involves using the U.S. mail to commit a fraudulent act. This can include things like sending fake checks, phishing for personal information, or making false claims.

What is mail theft?

Mail theft is the crime of stealing mail that is not addressed to you. This can include things like checks, credit cards, and personal information.

How to report mail fraud or mail theft

If you believe that you have been the victim of mail fraud or mail theft, you should report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). You can do this online at https://www.uspis.gov/report or by calling 1-877-876-2455.

How to report scam emails/texts

If you receive a scam email or text message, you should report it to the appropriate authorities. For email scams, you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. For text message scams, you can report them to your wireless carrier or to the FTC.

Why is it important to report mail fraud, mail theft, and scam emails/texts?

Reporting these crimes helps to protect yourself and others from becoming victims. It also helps law enforcement to track down and prosecute the criminals responsible.

What can I do to protect myself from mail fraud, mail theft, and scam emails/texts?

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from these crimes:

  • Be aware of the signs of mail fraud and mail theft.
  • Don’t open mail that you’re not expecting.
  • Shred all sensitive documents before you throw them away.
  • Don’t click on links in emails or text messages from people you don’t know.
  • Be careful about what personal information you share online.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from mail fraud, mail theft, and scam emails/texts.

If you have any questions about reporting these crimes, please contact the USPIS or the FTC.



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