An Post warns of letter scam
ORLA TINSLEY
An Post has warned householders of a sophisticated scam using registered letters that lures people to part with their money through the mail.
The company said some 1,000 fraudulent letters, sent via registered post from outside the EU, are expected to be delivered within coming days. It says it does not know who is behind the letters and is urging the public to be vigilant.
It is believed the letters are part of a scam that asks recipients to send cash or a postal check to a PO Box outside the EU to claim a prize.
“This is a much more sophisticated method by scammers to part people from their cash or to have them win a premium rate line,” An Post spokeswoman Anna McHugh told RTÉ’s News At One today.
However, she cautioned against undue alarm. “Let’s be clear, it’s only a tiny proportion of anybody’s mail, most of us will never receive one of these letters”.
The letters look authentic because they are stamped by An Post, which is required under international agreements to deliver all registered mail even if it suspects it may be fraudulent. “Mail coming from outside the EU, if it’s registered mail, fully paid, fully addressed then it must be delivered.” Ms McHugh said.
Only Gardaí have the legal power to restrict post.