There's a new twist on an old scam you need to be aware of.  Its roots are in the Nigerian letter scam, that has been around for decades.

The new version uses an emotional appeal, using your patriotism and goodwill against you in a scam.

Here's what's happening.  A letter will show up in your e-mail, supposedly from an American soldier who is dying in a hospital in Iraq.  The soldier claims he found $25 million while on duty in Iraq and he wants to do good before he dies by getting that money to the U.S. so it can be given to charities.  He wants you to help.  Don't Fall For It.

The Better Business Bureau has heard from people in the past who fell for this type of scam.  The U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Unit reports that any letter that asks you to help with this kind of a transaction is really an advance fee fraud.

So, your efforts to try to get money to help the less fortunate ends up making you the unfortunate one.  The money won't come to you at all and you'll lose any money you sent.

Don't let your kind heart and sense of patriotism cloud your judgement.  If you receive this letter, Don't Fall For It.

You can find more information about this scam and others like it at www.secretservice.gov.