3 Ways to Keep Scams Out of Your Mailbox
Use digital payment methods. The best way to keep scams out of your mailbox is to avoid printed checks and physical mail altogether. Rogue Credit Union members can securely transfer money to any other credit union member in Online Banking, and Bill Pay is available to help you make secure payments to non-members.
Mail letters and packages at the post office. Because scammers often break into collection boxes, it’s best to drop off your mail in-person at the post office. Especially if you’re sending a check or personal information, it’s the next best way to keep your information safe.
Use informed delivery. The longer something sits in your mailbox, the longer it’s at risk of being stolen. Pick up your mail the same day it’s delivered, and consider signing up for Informed Delivery by USPS so you can track the mail you’re receiving each day. If you’ll be away for multiple days, place a hold on your mail. It’ll be safer at the post office than on your porch or in your mailbox!
Keep in mind that account fraud often relies on stolen checks.
- Once a check is stolen from the mail, a scammer might “wash” it with household chemicals so they can change the payee and dollar amount.
- Sometimes, scammers create multiple copies of a stolen check and try to cash them all.
- Other scammers attempt to open bank accounts or apply for credit using the personal information on the check (that’s identity theft!).
Knowing what to look out for will help you protect yourself when preventative methods fail. If someone asks you exclusively to wire money through MoneyGram or Western Union, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. Use caution anytime you’re making a wire transfer, and never pay someone you don’t know. The same is true for gift cards: A real business will never ask you to pay with a gift card.
Sneakier scam tactics involve fake jobs, often as a “remote worker.” In these scams, you might be “hired” and asked to do onboarding paperwork that requires your personal information, only to find out your identity’s been stolen and you’ll never receive a paycheck. Other scammers might hire you as a “personal assistant,” asking you to evaluate a money transfer business like Western Union or purchase gift cards for your “boss.” Don’t do it! The scammer will steal the funds, leaving you on the hook for the cost of the gift card.
If you’ve accidentally sent money to a scammer, call us at 800.856.7328. If you used a wire transfer company like MoneyGram or Western Union to send the money, be sure to call the company to report the fraud and file a complaint. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and USPS.
At Rogue, we take the safety and security of our members’ accounts very seriously. If you have any questions or suspect fraudulent activity on your accounts, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 800.856.7328, chat with us online or stop by your local branch.
