These offers usually promise or guarantee money, credit, or valuable prizes. If you respond to one of these mail-fraud schemes, you're likely to get taken. According to Montgomery, consumers should beware of solicitations that look too good to be true, and toss them immediately. In Ohio, free means free. Magazine subscription offers that ask you to call for information about a contest, prize, or sweepstakes.
Prize offers that require a purchase.
Tickets for international lotteries. It's illegal to buy or sell tickets for international lotteries by mail or phone. Pyramid schemes, or plans that offer commissions for recruiting distributors, not for making sales. In Ohio, pyramid schemes are illegal. Promises to repair your credit history for an advance fee.