Most of us are used to getting a lot of junk mail---but here’s something to watch out for: paperwork that looks a lot like a check and claims to be a final notice about your mortgage, asking you to call an 800 number.
Deceptive mailers that mimic checks or official documents are arriving in mailboxes to create a false sense of urgency among homeowners. These solicitations often feature urgent notices about property matters designed to trick recipients into making immediate phone calls.
The mailers frequently use high-pressure phrasing such as final notices attached to fake check documents involving specific properties. Consumer advocates and federal authorities caution that these official-looking communications are designed to manipulate recipients into responding before verifying the sender.
Calls made to the phone numbers listed on these deceptive mailers often connect recipients directly to extended home warranty companies seeking to sell service contracts. Rosario Mendez, with the Federal Trade Commission, warned about the misleading strategies used in these solicitations.
“A lot of times these mailers will take you to a company that really what they want you is to sell you something else,” Mendez said. She added that “scammers and dishonest companies love using phrases like that. They love scared tactics.”
In addition to home warranty solicitations, Mendez noted that deceptive mailings frequently offer fake mortgage relief programs, leading homeowners into financial scams rather than genuine aid.
To protect against potential fraud, consumers receiving suspicious property notices are advised to contact their actual mortgage company directly to confirm their account status. Homeowners experiencing financial difficulty should ask their mortgage lender if legitimate hardship programs are available.
Consumer advisor Clark Howard urges individuals to maintain skepticism when receiving unsolicited mail and to avoid dialing numbers listed on unfamiliar documents. Howard recommends that consumers immediately shred suspicious mailers that appear questionable rather than attempting to engage with the sender.
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