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Mail fraud continues to be a problem in America, according to data provided by the U.S. Postal Service. The number of arrests for mail fraud, as with other crimes, understates the extent of the problem. For an assortment of reasons, many of those who engage in these illegal practices never are charged with crimes. Generally, promoters scheme to get your money by offering a product, service or investment that does not comply with its claims. If the U.S. mail is used as a part of a fraudulent scheme, it becomes mail fraud. Although the sales pitch may be made over the telephone, if you are asked to mail in a check for the product or service, this can be a form of mail fraud. Common mail-fraud practices include ads selling land, work-at-home schemes promising hefty incomes for performing mundane tasks, fraudulent charitable fund-raising, investment scams, non-existent job opportunities, chain letters and others. Most fraudulent schemes offer a deal that seems too good to be true. This enables promoters to maximize profits early and get out before the authorities catch them. The best protection is to remain alert and skeptical. If the deal seems too good to be true, assume it is. Avoid solicitations that require you to make a payment in advance of receiving merchandise or services. Insist on seeing products before you purchase them. If you suspect fraud in a solicitation, contact the postal inspector in your area. Be prepared to supply complete details about the matter, including copies of any printed material you receive. If it is determined that mail fraud was involved, the government will take appropriate legal action. If you lost money as a part of an illegal scheme, a judge often will order the guilty party to make restitution to you and other victims. You also may file your own suit in the Arizona Justice of the Peace Courts, or their Small Claims Divisions. A lawyer is not required to bring an action in these courts. Easy-to-use forms for filing your suit are available at the courts. |