It's the holiday season and scammers are gonna scam. Yes, there are REAL Grinches in our mist staged to take advantage of your good will. Authorities in Dutchess County recently became aware of one that could cost you and it involves a fake United States Postal Service Survey.

According to Dutchess County Sheriff's Office scammers are reportedly targeting victims in the area by send a disturbingly convincing letter with a bank check, instructing victims to cash it. But that's where the 'too good to be true' aspect really kicks in. You're not getting free money, they're trying to get it from YOU.

The fraudulent letter requests recipients go to their bank and purchase a $50 cashier's check made out to American Cancer Society which would seem legit. But it gets worse. The scammers then want their victims to buy $4000 worth of money orders from their local USPS office and then go outside and text a number for further instructions or to just go ahead and screenshot the money orders and send the via text.

The scammers even instruct the unwitting participants NOT to ask any questions of bank tellers or USPS employees because they don't behave in a 'professional manner'.

See an example made available by DCSO below.

The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office warns residents to be on the lookout for these letters and to contact their Detective Bureau if you receive one at 845-486-3800 or via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE or dcsotips@gmail.com and DO NOT follow the steps listed in the fake letter. Authorities emphasize that it's very difficult if not impossible to get money BACK from scammers after it's in their possession.