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Reshipping scammers buy merchandise with stolen credit cards and need help smuggling the goods out of the country. That’s where YOU come in — unless you’re aware.
Criminals often post phony job announcements at Internet career sites, offering positions such as “merchandising manager,” “package processing assistant,” or a similar title.
“Job duties generally include receiving packages and mailing them to a foreign address on behalf of a client. The websites may look legitimate, and they may offer to send you postage-paid mailing labels,” postal inspectors say.
“But the mailing labels are phony — and you are committing a felony when you help out these criminals.”
That’s not the only way they work, either. There are also the “sweetheart” scammers.
Match.CON
They lurk on dating websites, send a few e-mails to get to know you, and may even send a photo or flowers. “Once they have your attention,” the inspectors say, “they ask you to help their business or family by shipping packages to Europe or Africa.”
In other words, they recruit you to smuggle stolen goods.
“The photo may look like your perfect match,” the inspectors say, but it “could be the picture of your worst nightmare.”
Charity Scams
In this case, the scammers seek your help in forwarding “donated” merchandise.
You get packages mailed under several names, as well as labels for a charity in Africa or another part of the world.
Here’s what a bogus label looks like:
What Should You Do?
1. (Leave this site immediately if you get this one wrong:) Don’t accept packages at your address from or for people you don’t know.
2. Stop all communication with operators who try to solicit your help in reshipping items.
3. If you already have merchandise from such an offer, don’t mail it. Notify the postal inspectors.
4. Keep all correspondence (e-mails, faxes, etc.) related to these scams.
Contact Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455. They’ll help you return stolen items back to the proper owners.
For more information, go to: http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/
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