Here are some things you should know:The internet is full of erroneous  informationOften internet information is far from specific enoughIf you or anyone else offers legal help or advice for any kind of compensation and  are not licensed in the state the recipient is using the information in as an attorney, you/they are guilty of a felonyIf information is presented as educational material as RCG does, there are state specific steps that must be taken to make sure the user also consults a licensed attorney to review any final product.

I will very soon be the recipient of a small windfall (probably about 15-20K). 

At least with post cards, is my thinking, the recipient might read the message before it gets tossed - or kept if there is interest.

The exact steps are a bit more detailed, but it starts with identifying the recipient of the funds. 

They have nothing to lose by lying to the big bad landlord so the poor, hard luck welfare recipient gets an apartment.In the US a certain percent of rent actually is guaranteed by govt.

One thing to consider is: did you only send one letter to each of the 500 recipients?

Ruggieri has secured a career sales volume of over $200 million.Prior to joining Sperry Van Ness, he served as vice president of Ramshaw Real Estate, a full-service brokerage firm, where he remains involved in acquisitions, sales, development, and management of various types of investment properties.Career highlights include being the recipient of Sperry Van Ness’ Achievers Award for outstanding sales, Partner’s Circle Award (the company’s highest sales award), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), and authoring commercial real estate articles for regional and national real estate trade publications such as Units Magazine, MidWest Real Estate News, and Heartland Real Estate Business.Ruggieri is a member and a Graduate REALTOR Institute designee of the National Association of Realtors.

They have responded and informed me that there is no way to do so without "connecting" in BP with the recipient.

I'm getting bored repeating this and to so only to awaken your sensibilities to the issue.I don't take application by email either - - it's obvious that's insecure too.I do take applications by FAX as that goes directly from the sender to the recipient w/o being saved anywhere in-between.

Whether they would need to go after the recipient of the fund or after you as the one responsible for the payout is a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified CA professional.