This week the 'Scam Awareness Month' campaign is focusing on mail scams. Royal Mail have some helpful information on explaining what to do if you suspect you are receiving scam mail. 

Scams can come to you by phone, email or post. There are many different types of scams, such as fake lotteries and prize draws, get-rich-quick schemes, bogus health cures, investment scams and pyramid selling, to name just a few. It’s important to note there is a difference between scam mail and legitimate mail sent by companies to advertise lawful services or the sale of genuine goods. Scam mail is sent for the sole intention of obtaining money through deception and/or fraud.

Royal Mail is bound by the Universal Service Obligation and is required by law to deliver all mail entrusted to it. However, we are determined to do all we can to prevent scam mail entering the postal system with the help of our customers. We want to know about potentially fraudulent mail so we can work with the relevant authorities who can then investigate and take action.

What to do

If you think you or a family member is receiving scam mail, you can report it to us. If you have received items of mail you believe to be from fraudsters please send them to us, with a covering letter to:

Freepost
Scam Mail
PO Box 797
EXETER
EX1 9UN

You can also email us at scam.mail@royalmail.com or report your concerns by calling 08456 113 413. We will send you a scam mail report form for completion together with a prepaid addressed envelope in which to return the form with examples of the scam mail received. 

You may also wish to report the matter to Action Fraud the UK’s national fraud reporting centre run by the National Fraud Authority – the government agency that helps to co-ordinate the fight against fraud in the UK. They provide information about various scams and also have a 24 hour facility where you can get advice and report fraud.

If you’re moving home the National Fraud Authority recommends that to reduce the risk of identity fraud you should use Royal Mail’s Redirection service to redirect mail from your old address to your new address for at least a year. If you hold power of attorney for somebody who you believe is a victim or vulnerable to being a victim of scam mail you can apply on their behalf for a Redirection of mail at a Post Office® branch or by post.

Further information about Scam Awareness Month can be found on the http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/scams_awareness_month_2014//