Almost all of us have returned a package for one reason or another—whether the product inside didn’t match our expectations or we were simply sent the wrong item. According to NPR, there were more than $500 billion worth of packages returned by U.S. shoppers last year alone. When there’s that much money at stake, thieves are bound to be lurking. Now, police are alerting Americans to a package scam that is striking people unexpectedly and doing serious damage. Read on to find out why officials say you should think twice before returning a package.
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Con artists are looking to target people however they can, and mail is often the easiest option.
Back in June, a sheriff in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, alerted residents about a fraudulent warranty coverage warning being sent out. According to the official, scammers were attempting to convince victims that they were being contacted by the sheriff’s office and had to pay in order to prevent a lapse of coverage.
And earlier this month, police in Washington state posted on Facebook about a scam flier being sent to residents in the mail, urging them to send a check donation to a “Police Officers Support Association.” According to the authorities, victims believe they’re donating to their local police, but no money actually goes to the department.
Now, police have a…
