As many families continue looking for ways to stretch their budgets, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a mail scam promising hundreds of dollars in gas and grocery gift cards.

The BBB has received multiple reports through its Scam Tracker from consumers who received postcards claiming they qualified for valuable gas and grocery vouchers. The mailings often appear official, featuring barcodes, tracking numbers and urgent language encouraging recipients to respond quickly.

One Northwest Georgia resident reported receiving a postcard from a company identified as “AAPP” claiming $309.64 in gas and grocery vouchers was being held in his name. After researching the offer through BBB Scam Tracker, he determined it was likely a scam and avoided losing money.

Others were not as fortunate.

According to the BBB, consumers who called to claim the rewards were asked to pay a small processing fee, often around $5. Several victims later reported unauthorized charges on their bank accounts, while the promised gift cards never arrived.

In one report submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, a woman said her sister agreed to pay a $5 processing fee after receiving a postcard from AAPP. Shortly afterward, an additional $46 was charged to her account, bringing the total loss to $51.

The BBB advises consumers to be skeptical of offers requiring upfront fees, even if the amount is small. Consumers should research companies independently, avoid sharing payment information under pressure and closely monitor financial accounts for unauthorized transactions.

Anyone who receives a suspicious mailing is encouraged to report it through BBB Scam Tracker. Consumers who believe they have been victimized should contact their financial institution immediately and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.