Mail Me The Money! As It Becomes Harder And Harder For Scammers To Get Money, They Are Changing To Asking For Cash Via Mail, UPS, and FedEx!

There are reasons why cybercriminals and scammers are now asking for money to be sent by mail or courier instead of traditional money transfer services.

• Money transfer services are becoming more difficult to use for fraud. Money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram and banks have implemented stricter security measures in recent years, making it more difficult for scammers to use them to launder money.
• Mail and courier services are more difficult to track. If a victim sends a case of cash by mail or courier, it can be difficult to track the package after delivery and identify the real recipient. This makes it easier for scammers to get away with fraud.
• Mail and courier services are more anonymous. While you have a name and address for the scammers who will receive the money, in reality anyone can accept the package when it arrives. This gives the criminals a perfect denial. They can claim they know nothing about it.
• Cash money is more difficult to track. If a scammer sends cash by mail or courier, it can be difficult to track the package and identify the sender. This makes it easier for scammers to get away with fraud.
• Cash money is more anonymous. When you send money through a money transfer service, you have to provide your personal information, such as your name and address. This information can be used by scammers to track you down and steal more money from you. When you send cash by mail or courier, you can use a fake name and address, which makes it more difficult for scammers to track you down.
• Cash money is more immediate. If a scammer needs to get money quickly, they can’t wait for a money transfer to clear. They need cash in hand, and they can get it by asking you to send it by mail or courier.

According to the FBI:

Increase in Tech Support Scams Targeting Older Adults and Directing Victims to Send Cash Money through Shipping Companies

The FBI is warning the public of a recent nationwide uptick in technical support scams targeting older adults, where scammers instruct victims to send cash money, wrapped in a magazine(s), via shipping companies.

THE SCAM

Tech support scammers usually initiate contact with older adult victims through a phone call, text, email, or pop-up window purporting to be support from a legitimate company. The scammer informs the victim of fraudulent activity or potential refund for a subscription service. Subsequent emails, pop-ups, and texts contain a phone number for the victim to call for assistance. Once the victim calls the number, a scammer tells the victim they have a refund for the victim, however, the only way the money can be sent is by connecting to the victim’s computer and depositing it into the victim’s bank account.

The scammer tells the victim they can assist with the refund and convinces the victim to download a software program allowing the scammer remote access to the victim’s computer. Once a connection is established, the victim is convinced to log on to their bank account. The scammer then supposedly transfers an amount to the victim’s bank account but “accidently” deposits a much larger amount than intended. The scammer points this “error” out and tells the victim to return the extra money or the scammer will lose their job.

The scammer instructs the victim to send the money in cash, wrapped in a magazine(s), or similar method of concealment, via a shipping company to a name and address provided by the scammer. Most recently, scammers have instructed victims to ship packages containing money to pharmacies and retail businesses that are equipped to receive shipping company packages.

Warning!

If you have sent money to anyone you do not personally know, call the courier company immediately and have the package returned! You have limited time before delivery so act now!

Tips To Protect Yourself

If you are asked to send money by mail or courier by someone you don’t know, be very cautious. It is likely that you are being scammed.

Here are some tips to protect yourself from this type of scam:

• Never send money or valuables to someone you don’t know.
• Be suspicious of any email or text message that asks you to send money or valuables.
• Never click on links in emails or text messages from people you don’t know.
• Keep your computer’s security software up to date.
• Be aware of the signs of a scam. These signs include:
  • The person is asking you to send money or valuables for a reason that seems suspicious.
  • The person is asking you to send money or valuables to a country that you don’t know.
  • The person is asking you to send money or valuables through a method that is difficult to track.

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it to the authorities immediately.

Here are some additional tips to protect yourself from cash-related scams:

• Never give out your bank account number or routing number over the phone or in an email.
• Be suspicious of any cashier’s check or money order that you receive in the mail. Scammers will often send fake cashier’s checks or money orders that will appear to be legitimate. However, the checks or money orders will eventually bounce, and you will be out the money that you sent.
• Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Wire transfers are a quick and easy way to send money, but they are also very difficult to trace. This makes them a popular method for scammers to launder money.

If you think you’ve been the victim of a cash-related scam, report it to the authorities immediately. You should also contact your bank and let them know what happened.

Resources:

• SCARS free support & recovery groups for scam victims – safe and confidential support: Sign up at support.AgainstScams.org
• To find a professional trauma counselor or therapist visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
• To report these crimes visit reporting.AgainstScams.org

More:

• Urgent Next Steps For A Scam Victim After The Discovery Of The Scam (romancescamsnow.com)
• Zelle Payment Scams (romancescamsnow.com)
• The Near Future Of Money Mules – A SCARS Editorial By Dr. Tim McGuinness (romancescamsnow.com)
• Money Laundering Presents Grave Dangers For Scam Victims & Mules (romancescamsnow.com)
• Example Money Recovery Scams [UPDATED] (romancescamsnow.com)
• Online Money Scams – Scam Basics (romancescamsnow.com)
• Depositing Fake Checks You Get From A Scammer Can Be A Crime (romancescamsnow.com)
• Scammers Still Love Gift Cards (romancescamsnow.com)
• Stop Gift Card Scams – An Overview (romancescamsnow.com)

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