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Mail, Telemarketing Fraud Costs Americans $40 Billion Annually

Aired August 27, 2002 - 12:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Business, it seems -- is much too good, rather, this year at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The reason? Tens of thousands of fraud complaints against marketing or investment scams, many of which target the elderly.
CNN's Elaine Quijano reports on a new campaign to stamp the problem out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It costs Americans an estimated $40 billion a year, and some of the biggest losers are seniors. But now, the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service is pushing hard to warn people over 60 about the dangers of mail and telemarketing fraud.

LEE HEATH, CHIEF POSTAL INSPECTOR: If you are a robbery victim or a burglary victim, usually you don't choose to be a victim, you have no choice in the matter. With fraud, generally you have a opportunity to say no.

QUIJANO: To help teach people how and when to say no, the Postal Service enlisted the help of actress Betty White.

BETTY WHITE, ACTRESS: Protect your financial information, never send money in advance.

QUIJANO: It is a campaign that resonates with 71-year-old Louis Johnson, who lost almost $200 in a telemarketing scam.

LOUIS JOHNSON JR., TELEMARKETING FRAUD VICTIM: Why me? I fell for something like this. Ex-policeman, 32 years of military service. You know, but it happened.

QUIJANO: Postal inspection officials say the amount of fraud is growing. Last year, they responded to 66,000 mail fraud complaints. This year they expect that number to go up to 90,000 complaints.

(on camera): As part of the campaign, the Postal Service plans to send out 3 million of these informational flyers to seniors and their families. They also plan to put up posters at 38,000 post offices nationwide.

(voice-over): Officials say if you get a questionable offer, take your time. Don't give out credit card or account numbers without checking out a company first, and get all information in writing before agreeing to buy anything. In Washington, I'm Elaine Quijano.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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