Mail forwarding service scams​ and How to avoid them: Comprehensive guide in 2025

Mail forwarding services are an absolute must have in today’s digital world for businesses, expatriates, and travelers. However, the rising demand has led to an increase in mail forwarding scam services. Being conned by a scam service could mean losing your identity and money, and may also mean dealing with legal problems. This thorough and useful guide to 2025 will describe two of the more commonly known types of mail forwarding scams, along with some tips and techniques to prevent you from falling prey to them.

What Is A Mail Forwarding Service?

A mail forwarding service will act as your intermediary with your mail. A provider receives your mail at a specific address, either scans it or sends it to your desired location. This service is great for those individuals and businesses who want a permanent address or a virtual address scam.

Common Mail Forwarding Service Scams in 2025

Some Common Mail Forwarding Service Scams in 2025 are:

1. Fake Company Websites

Scammers design tempting websites that put forward mail forwarding services at stunningly low prices. Although such sites appear genuine, they just disappear after they have collected your payment and all your personal details. And, victims are then left with no service at all and no way to claim their money.

2. Identity Theft Scams

Fake service providers would typically ask you to provide sensitive documents, such as passports, bank statements, or utility bills. These documents would now be used in identity theft, from opening credit accounts in your name to committing various fraudulent acts in your name. Victims may not trace this life threatening condition until it is too late.

3. Non-Delivery or Disappearing Mail

Some services of sham will keep your mail for you but will never send it to your desired chosen address.That is, Packages are either lost, or other items sent to you receive only partial delivery, are lost, and have no reason known for this. The conditions of customer support leave you with lost items and frustration.

4. Hidden Fees & Unauthorized Charges

Dishonest providers bring you low price plans only to hit you up with hidden fees for basic services like mail scanning or storage. In more serious cases, your credit cards might be used for unauthorized services or charged at secondary inflated prices. 

5. Data Selling Practices

Scams earn money by selling your personal data to entice marketers or cybercriminals. This means that you will start receiving spam, phishing attempts, or even be targeted in future fraud. A legitimate service does not share your information without your consent.

How to Avoid a Scam

1. Be skeptical when someone contacts you: Scammers spoof calls and emails, making them appear to come from different sources, including government agencies, charities, banks, and large companies. Do not share personal information, usernames, passwords, or one time codes that other people may use to gain access to your accounts or commit identity theft.
2. Don’t click unknown links:Whether the link seems suspicious and arrives in your email, text, or direct message, do not click on it unless you are 100% certain that the sender means well. If the message claims the sender is a legitimate company or government agency, call that organisation using a number you find yourself to verify.
3. Be careful with your phone:In terms of spam calls, if you think they are spam, don’t respond or press a button. To be safe, either hang up or ignore the call altogether. If you’re still worried, look up the organisation and call them.
4. Update your device: Software updates may come with important security measures to protect updates for your phone, tablet, or computer.
5. Enable multi factor authentication: Any accounts that allow additional verification would ideally be set up with a means other than SMS to reduce exposure to potentially harmful. SIM swap campaigns.
6. Research companies before taking any actions:Take some time to look into the company before buying or donating anything. Run a web search of its name plus either “scam” or “reviews,” and monetary contributions to charities on Charity Navigator and CharityWatch.
7. Look for suspicious payment requirements: A scam artist will typically want payment in cash, wire transfer, money order, cryptocurrency, or gift cards things that are less traceable and cancellable than other forms of payment, leaving you with no way out. 
8. Create a family password:Set up a family password for all members to use to verify the confirmation of a family member from the phone could be earlier compromised by a deepfake video or cloned voice.

How do scammers execute mail forwarding scams?

Scammers, by using stolen personal information, including credit card details, often impersonate the victim to submit a change of address with the postal service. Once the change has been approved, the scammer has access to the victim’s mail and can use the acquired information for fraud.

How can I protect myself from mail forwarding scams and identity theft?

To safeguard the threats mentioned above, one should open and review physical mails constantly; shred any junk mails that contain personal detail; would close monitor credit reports and financial accounts; keep updating address information to relevant institutions. 

In addition, use a virtual mailbox to reduce the likelihood of falling into a trap of mail forwarding scams. A Liscard Business Center’s virtual mailbox offers secure mail services to those who might want to experience one of these.

How can I report mail forwarding scams and identity theft to the appropriate authorities?

Mail forwarding scams can be reported to your local postal service. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspector or the relevant authority in your country. For identity theft, police should be notified at the municipal level, as well as the FTC, and the credit reporting agencies, to report the incident and take necessary provisions for your protection.

Stay Vigilant and Protect Your Identity

Preventative measures against protecting personal information are critical in an evolving digital and fast paced world. Mail redirection is becoming a sophisticated way, adapted to deceive individuals as well as businesses.Very importantly, ensure that service providers are what they claim; do not share sensitive facts without careful research, and be suspicious of deals too good to be true. Regularly monitoring your financial accounts will also make sure that any possibility of suspicious activities is caught early. You really should stay organised, informed, careful, and trust your service providers regarding everything related to your protection from becoming scams.