Mail Fraud
Because the U.S. Postal Service is part of the federal government, any fraud that happens through the mail system is considered a more serious crime than if it happened without using the Postal Service, and therefore, is subject to higher penalties. Mail fraud uses the postal service to steal money or other valuable items.
There are many ways mail fraud can happen. Non-delivery or misrepresentation of mail-order merchandise is when someone pays for item up front, but never receives it, or receives something of lesser value, or something defective or stolen. Also, this includes being forced to pay for merchandise shipped by cash on demand that was never ordered. Online auction/Internet fraud falls under mail fraud if anything is used to send a request for payment through the postal service.
Impersonation is when false senders request information such as bank account information or details that would reveal one’s identity online but paperwork is sent through the mail. Promotional cheques, which look legitimate but are actually documents that permit particular companies to charge money, or solicitations in the guide of an invoice, that ask for money and look like bills, but aren’t, are two other forms of mail fraud. Get-rich-quick schemes, work-from-home schemes, fraudulent charities and religious donations, and stealing valuable items from the mail itself (“theft from the mails”) also fall under the category of mail fraud.
Our Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense lawyers are available after hours and on weekends. To schedule a free consultation regarding your mail fraud case or investigation, contact us online or call 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 (toll free) today.
There are many ways mail fraud can happen. Non-delivery or misrepresentation of mail-order merchandise is when someone pays for item up front, but never receives it, or receives something of lesser value, or something defective or stolen. Also, this includes being forced to pay for merchandise shipped by cash on demand that was never ordered. Online auction/Internet fraud falls under mail fraud if anything is used to send a request for payment through the postal service.
Impersonation is when false senders request information such as bank account information or details that would reveal one’s identity online but paperwork is sent through the mail. Promotional cheques, which look legitimate but are actually documents that permit particular companies to charge money, or solicitations in the guide of an invoice, that ask for money and look like bills, but aren’t, are two other forms of mail fraud. Get-rich-quick schemes, work-from-home schemes, fraudulent charities and religious donations, and stealing valuable items from the mail itself (“theft from the mails”) also fall under the category of mail fraud.
Our Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense lawyers are available after hours and on weekends. To schedule a free consultation regarding your mail fraud case or investigation, contact us online or call 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 (toll free) today.
