How Does The Post Office Detect Money

A government agency has a new alert nearly something we've probably all been told is a no-no at some indicate: sending greenbacks through the mail.

Recent troubling statistics have none other than the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warning people to cut information technology out. Here's the latest alarm on sending cash in the mail.

Sending greenbacks in the post? Here's why that's a bad idea

You lot may exist thinking that nobody puts wads of cash in envelopes, just here's what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says about recent trends regarding cash scammers:

In the terminal 12 months, scam victims have reported losing $41 million compared to $26 one thousand thousand in the previous 12-month period.
25% of people 70 and older report sending greenbacks to scammers.
Of those elderly victims, the median loss reported was $9,000.

Earlier you write these incidents off every bit just something that exclusively happens to older people, Americans of all ages are going through what can all-time be described every bit "tech fatigue," meaning they are resorting to decidedly low-tech ways to get things washed.

One pop short cutting is shipping money, or sending cash in the mail. Many people call up they can slip a $xx or $100 pecker in a folded blank piece of newspaper and send it through the U.S. Postal Service.

Non only do they run the risk of having someone other than the intended recipient taking the greenbacks, but there'south no paper trail to bear witness what was in the envelope.

Alternatives to sending cash in the mail

Ship a check: When y'all mail a check, make sure you track it through the postal service, which can be washed for a nominal fee. That manner, you'll know when it has arrived and you'll take peace of mind.
Apply an electronic payment app: PayPal, Venmo and CashApp are all viable ways to send coin. Just make sure you lot have your security settings locked downwards.
Wire the money: A wire transfer is an alternative, but ever know who you're shipping coin to.

How to finish criminals from stealing your mail service

While you lot should definitely avoid sending money in the mail, criminals are keen on intercepting your incoming mail service, as well. Money expert Clark Howard says mailbox crimes are on the rising these days. A major way to protect yourself is to get a locking mailbox.

A locking mailbox, Clark says in a recent podcast, "works groovy. I don't have to worry about someone pilfering through my mail service, which was a problem earlier I had a locking mailbox. They're easy to install and there's most goose egg to them except the ability to secure the post that yous're receiving."

Here are some more than scam-related articles from Clark.com:

This alphabetic character looks only like a neb — simply it's something much worse
How i Team Clark member stopped a cheque fraud scam
Phony letter threatens to reveal your extramarital affair

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