What are common mail and phone frauds?

Identity thieves may send official-looking letters and pose as representatives from Visa, Shazam or financial institutions. If you’re asked to provide your account number or other personal information in a reply envelope or by dialing a number, it could be fraud at work.

How can I reduce my risk of phone and mail fraud scams?

It's important for consumers to know that Visa or Shazam will not call or e-mail or text cardholders to request their personal account information. Visa & Shazam call centers do not initiate outbound telemarketing calls. Consumers should not respond to any e-mails, text messages or phone calls with requests for any personal card information and are advised to immediately report the situation to local law enforcement as well as the financial institution that issued their card. 

You should never give out account or personal information over the phone or in response to a mailing unless you initiated the communication yourself or have positively verified the source. Notify your local post office immediately if you change your address, make sure your mailbox is locked or not accessible to outsiders, and remove delivered mail promptly. On the phone, don’t be afraid to ask questions, including asking for a number to call back.
 

Where can I learn more about phone and mail fraud scams?

When in doubt, consult the Better Business Bureau. For mail, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service can help. For phone fraud, be sure to notify your creditor, phone company, and the Federal Trade Commission immediately.