Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc. Making life a little easier. Fraud Awareness Minute. Mail Fraud. Even in the digital age criminals are still using low tech methods to carry out their scams. In fact, mail fraud is a growing concern. Let's take a look at some of the most common mail fraud schemes and how you can avoid them. Tip 1: Sweepstakes or lottery scams. First, watch out for sweepstakes or lottery offers in your mailbox. Fraudsters use these offers to trick victims into cashing a phony check and mailing a portion of their 'winnings' back. Remember, you can't win a contest that you didn't enter in the first place. Tip 2: Mail theft. Mail theft is also on the rise. Criminals coat the inside of US postal mailboxes with a sticky substance and steal outgoing mail containing checks, cash, and gift cards. Before using, check the mailbox for signs of tampering and instead of mailing checks use Wright Patt credit unions online bill pay. Don't send cash through the mail, pay bills online. Tip 3: Mail forwarding scams. Finally, mail forwarding scams occur when criminals file a change of address form to reroute your mail. Your sensitive documents could be delivered to a new address allowing the crook to steal your identity and open accounts in your name. Take note of any missing mail and monitor your accounts for unusual activity. Want some more tips and helpful resources to prevent fraud? Just visit wpcu.coop/stopfraud.Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc. Victim of Fraud? Call our member help center (800) 762-0047, WPCU.coop/StopFraud