This small object found in the mailbox should not be used, it is the sign of a scam

You have to keep a close eye on your mailbox, a small object that you should definitely not use may be left there.

If scams abound online, you also have to be wary of what's happening at your doorstep. Fraudulent canvassing, fake city employees, scouting for burglaries, it can take different forms. Sometimes, the scammers don't even need to come and ring your doorbell. Your mailbox may be enough for them. 

Several municipalities, notably in the Gard but also in other departments such as l'a spotted Midi Libre, have called for vigilance in the face of a small object that may be hidden in the middle of your mail. Visually, it looks serious: blue, white, red edges with the inscription “Useful numbers”, mentioning the traditional emergency numbers (police, firefighters, Samu, etc.) and public services (SNCF, police station, etc.). However, there are also numbers for breakdown operators slipped in home. 

Behind these numbers are often unscrupulous companies with unfair methods. This is abusive canvassing, accompanied by misleading advertising. The scammers also put pressure on consumers to buy their services, which are either useless or overpriced.

©& nbsp;Facebook Town Hall of Sommières – Visual of a magnet diffusedé by the Municipality de Sommières, warning of its fraudulent nature

There are, for example, locksmiths who take advantage of the distress of customers stuck & at their doorstep or plumbers who play on the embarrassment of people faced with water leaks. A couple in their eighties who had called One of these numbers for a power cut was given a bill for 1463 euros, when it was simply the circuit breaker that needed to be changed.

These numbers are, in fact, written on a small magnet, deposited in your mailbox. These have not received any approval from the public authorities. It is therefore absolutely necessary not to call these numbers ;eacute;ros. If this magnet can be used for magnetize your shopping list to the fridge, it is rather recommended to throw it away so as never to find yourself, under the effect of ;emergency, to type one of these numbers. In case of scam, it is advisable to report the incident to the Direction d  ;departmental protection of populations, present in each department.