The U.S. Postal Inspection Service seeks to raise consumer awareness about a new check fraud scheme targeting Americans. To learn about fraud schemes involving counterfeit financial instruments, go to www.fakechecks.org. To view a Postal Inspection Service video about fake check schemes, click here. To download the video, "right click" and choose Save Target As.

Nigerian Scammers Posing as U.S. Postal Inspectors

Beware of e-mails that look like they were sent from the United States Postal Inspection Service. Nigerian con artists are sending fraudulent e-mails using our agency name, but Postal Inspectors caution: We did not send any of these e-mails. Click here to read more about the latest Nigerian scam.

CHECK THE CHECKS
Canadian lottery scheme using fake USPS checks

Postal Inspectors want to alert employees to a new scheme — letters are being mailed from Canada to U.S. residents announcing that the addressee has won a foreign lottery. A counterfeit United States Postal Service check is enclosed in each letter, with instructions to wire a portion of the money outside the country after depositing the check. The Postal Inspection Service is aggressively investigating this scheme.

If a customer presents a USPS check to be cashed at a Post Office, station, branch or other retail outlet, it’s imperative that the retail associate ask the presenter how the check was received and for what purpose. The employee must require two forms of ID. If the person is a Postal Service employee, contractor or vendor, request a USPS ID.

If you believe that the check is related to a sweepstakes or lottery prize, do not accept the check. Call the Postal Inspection Service immediately at 877-876-2455.