TJ - What is scam mail?

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Scam mail is the name given to letters sent out by criminals, these criminals are called scammers.

The scammers try to make the letters look like they are important documents, hoping to trick the recipient into sending them money or disclose personal information about themselves or family members.

Most people are oblivious to the problem because having received the odd one or two themselves they mistake them as just junk mail and put them in the bin, without realising the content.

You have won a competition

BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND MONEY

Tipical scam mail

Money you have won is being held in a holding company.

BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND MONEY

Somebody has left you an inheritance

BUT YOU HAVE TO SEND MONEY

HOW DO THE SCAMMERS GET MY DETAILS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
From genuine 'direct marketing' lists that categorise you as being elderly or telephone surveys.

WHY HAVE I BEEN TARGETED?
Because you reponded to a tempting letter that informed you that you are due to receive some money. Anybody who responds to the tempter will then have their details put on a suckers list.

WHAT IS A SUCKERS LIST?
A sucker's list is a list of names and addresses that scammers collect. It is a list of all the people who fell for the tempter trick and more than likely could be tricked again.

WHAT DO SCAMMERS DO WITH THEIR SUCKERS LIST?
They sell it to other scammers all around the world.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY NAME GETS PUT ON A SUCKERS LIST?
Your seemingly exciting mail will soon start to increase, as more and more criminals try their luck at getting their hands on your cash.

IF YOU ARE A SCAM MAIL VICTIM YOU ARE NOT ALONE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE UK ARE BEING DUPED BY SCAMMERS EVERY DAY. EVEN IN YOUR NEIGBOURHOOD, TRUSTING PEOPLE WILL BE EAGERLY AWAITING THE PRIZES THEY HAVE BEEN PROMISED.

The Office of Fair Trading have a page on their Consumer Direct web site that contains some great interactive scam guides, it's well worth a visit.

Scammers often send authentic looking scam mail from banks and building societies asking you to provide information. It's more prolific via email, called phishing, but it's still being sent out via the Royal Mail.

CLAIRVOYANT SCAMS

Many scammers pose as clairvoyants. They usually make their letters appear genuine by putting a photograph of a friendly looking person on the letterhead. The person in the photograph will have no idea that they are being used in this way.

Like all scams these letters are designed to fool you into parting with your cash. No matter how personal and original that they might seem, these letters are mass-produced and the very same letter will drop through the letterboxes of thousands of other potential victims. It is important to remember that this type of mail is nothing more than a piece of paper trying to trick, bribe or frighten you into sending your money to a criminal.

No harm can befall you of your loved ones if you don't respond. But you will seriously be harming your wallet if you fall for this very common scam.

Remember if you are asked to send money to recieve a prize, IT'S A SCAM