LAKEHURST – While working one day, I received a text that pretended to be from the U.S. Postal Service saying that they had trouble sending a package to me. They wanted to know more information about me – such as my address – in order to deliver the package.
Red flag.
Why would the post office text me? How would they even have my cell phone number?
I did a Google search for “post office text scam” and guess what? It turns out that there’s a scam going around. People are pretending to be from the post office and trying to get personal information. The scam is called “smishing.”
According to the real USPS: Smishing is a scam that involves a text message or phone number. “Victims will typically receive a deceptive text message that is intended to lure the recipient into providing their personal or financial information. These scammers often attempt to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank, or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims.”
Funny name aside, it could cause real problems for you if you click on the link they send, or if you give them any information whatsoever.
The USPS warns that if you get texts with an unfamiliar or strange link, delete it or report it. If you never signed up for a tracking request for a specific package, someone is trying to scam you.
They will try to get your account username, password, Social Security number, date of birth, credit and debit card numbers, PINs, and more. They will use this info to rob from your account or do other financial crimes.
Tips to prevent yourself from being scammed include:
- Never give your personal information to anyone you don’t know.
- Remember that no legal entity solicits information via text.
- Don’t click on links that you don’t know.
- If there’s a real issue, they will contact you a legitimate way. Look up the real phone number and call them.
The Postal Service notes that while they do track specific packages, customers are required to either register online, or initiate a text message, and provide a tracking number. In other words, you would start the process, not USPS. So, if someone is reaching out to you from the USPS, it’s probably a scammer. Also of importance is the fact that the USPS does not charge for these services.
“USPS will not send customers text messages or e-mails without a customer first requesting the service with a tracking number, and it will NOT contain a link,” they said. “So, if you did not initiate the tracking request for a specific package directly from USPS and it contains a link: don’t click the link!”
To Report This Scam
To report USPS related smishing, send an email to spam@uspis.gov. You’ll need to provide your name and a screenshot of the text message, showing the phone number of the sender and the date sent.
Include any relevant details in your email, for example: if you clicked the link, if you lost money, if you provided any personal information, or if you experienced any impacts to your credit or person.
The Postal Inspection Service will contact you if more information is needed.
You can also forward the smishing/text message to 7726 (this will assist with reporting the scam phone number).
