Scams can come to you by phone, email or post.

There are many different types of scams, such as:

·         Fake lotteries and prize draws

·         Get-rich-quick schemes

·         Bogus health cures

·         Investment scams

·         Pyramid selling

 

It’s important to note there is a difference between scam mail and legitimate mail sent by companies to advertise lawful services or the sale of genuine goods. Scam mail is sent for the sole intention of obtaining money through deception and/or fraud.

 

Royal Mail and Trading Standards have joined forces to launch a new initiative to tackle scam mail in the postal system. Find out more about the scam mail initiative at https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/303

 

If you think you or a family member is receiving scam mail, you can report it to Royal Mail by completing a Scam Mail Report which can be found at  https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/303  and sending it to the Freepost address below, along with mail you have received that you believe to be from fraudsters, together with the original envelope endorsed with the date the item was received.

Alternatively, you can leave a message for them, giving your full name, address and a contact telephone number via the email or telephone options below and Royal Mail will send you a form to complete with a prepaid addressed envelope in which to return the form with examples of the scam mail received.

By post:              FREEPOST SCAM MAIL
By Email:            scam.mail@royalmail.com
By Telephone:    03456 113 413 (message service only)

Other options
You can contact Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 03454 04 05 06, writing to Citizens Advice consumer service, Post Point 24, Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1UJ

Action Fraud is an organisation run by the National Fraud Authority, a government agency, which provides information about various scams and a 24-hour facility where you can get advice and report fraud. They can be contacted on 0300 123 2040