# Do I need to do anything about this scam letter I receivede? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021 "2011-09-21T02:07:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021/1 "2011-09-21T02:07:36Z")
I checked today’s mail and had a letter from Malaysia. I double checked the post mark an it is absolutely from Malaysia. It’s a scam letter. ‘You inherited 9.5 million $$ - we can share it - e-mail me!’ Right. So, do I need to do anything? It’s a bit weird to me that some dude from Malaysia took the time to write me a letter, and I do wonder a bit where he got my address; however, my current level of panic is hovering right around zero. Is there any cause for me to be concerned about this? Can I just ignore it or do I need to follow up with someone? If so, who? The ombudsman of Canada Post? ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021/2 "2011-09-21T02:33:53Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > The ombudsman of Canada Post? This one might be interested. In the US, I’d pass it on to the local postmaster. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021/3 "2011-09-21T02:35:30Z")
Don’t you want to send your credentials first to see if it’s legit? … Are you sure someone “took the time” to write to you? Check the fonts, matching a few instances of a letter–it’s probably (WAG) computer-printed to look like an individual’s handwriting (or whatever) as opposed to a mass mailing. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021/4 "2011-09-21T02:41:51Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I checked today’s mail and had a letter from Malaysia. I double checked the post mark an it is absolutely from Malaysia. > > It’s a scam letter. ‘You inherited 9.5 million $$ - we can share it - e-mail me!’ > > Right. So, do I need to do anything? It’s a bit weird to me that some dude from Malaysia took the time to write me a letter, and I do wonder a bit where he got my address; however, my current level of panic is hovering right around zero. > > Is there any cause for me to be concerned about this? Can I just ignore it or do I need to follow up with someone? If so, who? The ombudsman of Canada Post? Into the circular file cabinet. If you respond your address will beome “hot.” Here’s someone we can scam. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021/5 "2011-09-21T14:35:44Z")
> [@Doug\_Bowe](#): > > Into the circular file cabinet. If you respond your address will beome “hot.” Here’s someone we can scam. I agree. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-to-do-anything-about-this-scam-letter-i-receivede/597021/6 "2011-09-21T15:22:36Z")
In the past I have reported these things to the proper authorities. I doubt it has done much good, but it makes me feel better. If enough people did this perhaps they could find the source and deal with it somehow… yes, I live in a dreamworld.