Postal inspectors in Chicago target scams with public-access TV show

Imagine that the US Postal Service on Chicago cable access. From the Tribune with a hat-tip to Gaper's Block...

In a bid to counter the growing number of fake-check scams, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago is branching out to a new medium: public-access television.

Inspectors plan to air a new show at least each month offering advice to consumers. "Don't Fall For It" will be hosted by Tom Brady, the inspector-in-charge for Chicago.

The agency launched its new effort this month on CAN-TV, focusing the first show on what investigators say is the leading scam in Chicago. The scams involve con artists sending out counterfeit checks, trying to persuade victims to wire back part of the money before realizing the checks have bounced.

Postal inspectors are producing the show inexpensively at their Chicago headquarters in a studio they typically use to make in-house training videos. They hope to reach a new audience as they try to educate the public.

"Whatever we can do to put the scammers out of business is what I want to do," Brady said.

The postal service Web site supports a link to http://www.fakechecks.org , which has scam-prevention tips

The first cable effort includes an interview by David Colen, assistant inspector-in-charge, of a postal inspector who just returned from Nigeria and will address moves to head off the problem overseas.

The show next airs 8:30 p.m. Sunday on CAN-TV.