The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has produced an excellent series of short dramatic fraud-prevention videos that can be downloaded free or streamed online.
Available videos include:
Truth or Consequences: Fake Check Scams
Mixed in with the bills you get a surprise — it’s a big check made out to you. Before you cash that check or money order, ask yourself: It looks real, but is it? Scammers are getting better and scams more elaborate. Fake checks and money orders look so good they could fool your bank. It’s hard to know if the next big offer you receive is real or yet another scam designed to empty your pockets.
All the King’s Men: Picking Up the Pieces
Fraud schemes victimize millions of Americans each year, leaving many financially devastated. There are laws to protect victims and services and support available to them. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service urges victims to learn more about their rights and services by downloading our video. Remember, being a victim of a crime is nothing to be ashamed of. And neither is seeking help to recover from it.
Nowhere to Run: Cross-Border Fraud
The Internet and international phone calls make it easy for fraudsters to target you from anywhere in the world. This video illustrates how Postal Inspectors work on task forces with Canadian law enforcement partners to stop “long distance” scams.
Web of Deceit: Internet Fraud
Internet scams are like old wine in new bottles: Telemarketing and mail fraud scams now come to you from cyberspace. This video tells the story of a scammer who uses the Internet to victimize unsuspecting consumers around the world until he gets caught in his own web of deceit. It also provides tips on what to watch out for when you do business on the Internet.
Long Shot: Foreign Lottery Scams
It’s illegal to play foreign lotteries in the United States. But another reason not to play is that you are almost guaranteed to lose. And once you play, you can count on receiving more “chances” to play — and lose. This video tells the story of a foreign lottery fraud victim and the con artist behind the scam. It also provides tips on helping you avoid becoming a victim of this scam.
Work-at-Home Scams: They Just Don’t Pay
Working at home is attractive to stay-at-home moms, college students, and retirees. While some jobs are legitimate, others don’t deliver on their promises. This video tells the story of a new type of work-at-home scam and how a young mother gets caught up in it. It also provides tips on how to avoid being duped and what to do if you’re victimized.
Identity Crisis: Protect Your Identity
Identity fraud is the fastest-growing crime in America. With millions of victims and losses in the billions of dollars, it continues to be one of consumers’ biggest fears. This video tells the story of a couple whose credit is ruined and the criminals who defrauded them. It also provides tips on how to protect yourself against identity fraud — and what to do if you become a victim.
Dialing for Dollars: Telemarketing Fraud
Telemarketing fraud costs Americans millions of dollars each year. And when it comes to phony investment “opportunities,” older Americans are prime targets. This 15-minute video tells the story of such a scam and the lives ruined by it. It also provides tips on how to protect yourself from investment fraud and what to do if you’ve been victimized.
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Fraud-Prevention Videos from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has produced an excellent series of short dramatic fraud-prevention videos that can be downloaded free or streamed online.
Available videos include:
Truth or Consequences: Fake Check Scams
Mixed in with the bills you get a surprise — it’s a big check made out to you. Before you cash that check or money order, ask yourself: It looks real, but is it? Scammers are getting better and scams more elaborate. Fake checks and money orders look so good they could fool your bank. It’s hard to know if the next big offer you receive is real or yet another scam designed to empty your pockets.
All the King’s Men: Picking Up the Pieces
Fraud schemes victimize millions of Americans each year, leaving many financially devastated. There are laws to protect victims and services and support available to them. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service urges victims to learn more about their rights and services by downloading our video. Remember, being a victim of a crime is nothing to be ashamed of. And neither is seeking help to recover from it.
Nowhere to Run: Cross-Border Fraud
The Internet and international phone calls make it easy for fraudsters to target you from anywhere in the world. This video illustrates how Postal Inspectors work on task forces with Canadian law enforcement partners to stop “long distance” scams.
Web of Deceit: Internet Fraud
Internet scams are like old wine in new bottles: Telemarketing and mail fraud scams now come to you from cyberspace. This video tells the story of a scammer who uses the Internet to victimize unsuspecting consumers around the world until he gets caught in his own web of deceit. It also provides tips on what to watch out for when you do business on the Internet.
Long Shot: Foreign Lottery Scams
It’s illegal to play foreign lotteries in the United States. But another reason not to play is that you are almost guaranteed to lose. And once you play, you can count on receiving more “chances” to play — and lose. This video tells the story of a foreign lottery fraud victim and the con artist behind the scam. It also provides tips on helping you avoid becoming a victim of this scam.
Work-at-Home Scams: They Just Don’t Pay
Working at home is attractive to stay-at-home moms, college students, and retirees. While some jobs are legitimate, others don’t deliver on their promises. This video tells the story of a new type of work-at-home scam and how a young mother gets caught up in it. It also provides tips on how to avoid being duped and what to do if you’re victimized.
Identity Crisis: Protect Your Identity
Identity fraud is the fastest-growing crime in America. With millions of victims and losses in the billions of dollars, it continues to be one of consumers’ biggest fears. This video tells the story of a couple whose credit is ruined and the criminals who defrauded them. It also provides tips on how to protect yourself against identity fraud — and what to do if you become a victim.
Dialing for Dollars: Telemarketing Fraud
Telemarketing fraud costs Americans millions of dollars each year. And when it comes to phony investment “opportunities,” older Americans are prime targets. This 15-minute video tells the story of such a scam and the lives ruined by it. It also provides tips on how to protect yourself from investment fraud and what to do if you’ve been victimized.