Mail Order Fraud - The Facts! |
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By: Andrew Dillon Posted: 2007-05-28 13:40:31 |
| Part OneyWhat is mail order fraud?Mail order fraud is when mail is used to intentionall misrepresent a product or service; this constitutes 'MAIL ORDER FRAUD'. The Royal Mail Postal Inspection Service here in the UK is charged with Investigating violations of the law, usually in response to consumer complaints. The thing to remember though is that 'Mail Order Fraud' takes place all over the world and is in essence the same crime often carried out using either the same or similar techniques in each and every country around the world.How Do I protect Myself From It?1.The best way you can protect yourself from Mail Fraud is to be aware of your surroundings, to recognise that it is fraud and so therefore do not become involved in it.2.I know this is easier said than done because of the attractive wording in the deceptive ads but the thing to remember at all times is that if anything sounds too good to be true or is unbelievable then alarm bells should start wringing in your head.3.Always remember that anything that sounds too good to believe is suspect to say the least.4.The things like medical formulas, weight loss programs and gadgets that make insane claims or promises, you are best staying away from.5.Especially be wary as regards some of the thousands of different weight loss products and overnight cures.6.Never purchase land through a mailorder that is unless you or your personal representative has seen the land, in order to determine if it is as represented and that the value of there said land is as quoted in the add.7.Always make sure by checking the land registry that the land does actually belong to the person who is selling it or the person they are representing.8.If the sales person has shown you the property report then remember you can cancel your purchase agreement within seven days. However if no report was shown to you before signing on the dotted line then you have the right to cancel within two years.What Sort Of Other Frauds Should I look Out For?1.Another fraud to be aware of that is prevalent at the moment is insurance fraud which is floating through the mails. The thing to be aware of is that requests to sign blank insurance forms, last chance bargain offers, payments in advance and cash payment requirements could indicate a con artist at work.2.Something else that is reaching epidemic proportions these days is identity fraud. On a daily basis hundreds of thousands of people world wide are either having there identity stolen or cloned. So do not give any private information to anyone on the Internet, telephone, or via the postal service unless you are one hundred percent sure who you are giving the information to and that the information is safe in there hands.3.Of course, just about every one has at sometime or another received chain letters at some time in there lives. If you are in the mailorder business you should get several every day minimum. Chain letters here in the UK and in fact in a lot of countries is illegal and do not work anyway, so need I say more.4.Now we have all seen those ads offering job placement and job opportunities haven't we. Most of them are legitimate but some of them are 100% non existent or just complete misrepresentations. What ever you do, do not spend money for the required fee until you have checked with your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Trading Standards or the equivalent Legal Advice Bureau in your country or any other similar legal body.5.Then of course there are those who promise huge profits without risk in commodities, stocks, oil, gold, silver, coins and various other things, through the mail or over the telephone.6.That's not to say that there are not hundreds of very fine and safe investment opportunities offered but I wouldn't want to and I am sure you wouldn't either want to risk your hard earned cash. It hasn't been unknown and isn't unknown for gullible people to loose their life savings to mail order or telephone swindlers. Particularly the elderly and vulnerable within our community and I believe that it is our duty to help protect such people. |
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