Have you received an unexpected text or email about a package? It could be a scam! Scammers pose as the United States Postal Service (USPS) to trick you into giving up your personal information or clicking on dangerous links. Protect yourself and your sensitive data by learning to spot these fraudulent messages.
What Is a USPS Delivery Scam?
These scams use fake texts or emails claiming there’s an issue with your package. They might say the package couldn’t be delivered, needs a new delivery time, or has a fee. The messages try to scare you and include a link to track, reschedule, or pay. But this link takes you to a fake website that steals your information.
Example of the Scam
Ethan receives a text message claiming to be from USPS, notifying him of a missed package delivery. The message includes a link to reschedule the delivery, but the link directs him to a fraudulent website that resembles the official USPS site. Eager to receive his package, Ethan unknowingly enters his personal information, including his address and phone number, into the scammer’s website.
Tips for Protecting Yourself
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Verify the source. USPS rarely contacts customers by text or email. Go to the official USPS website or app to track your packages.
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Don’t click on links. Instead, type the official USPS website address directly into your browser.
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Be wary of time-sensitive requests. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly.
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Check for errors. Phishing messages often contain spelling or grammatical mistakes.
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Never give out personal information. USPS will never ask for your personal or financial info via text or email.
If You’ve Been Scammed
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Change passwords. If you entered any passwords on a fraudulent website, change them immediately on all accounts where you use the same or similar passwords. Create strong passwords at least 12 characters long, including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
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Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) whenever possible for added security.
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Monitor your credit. Carefully review your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for suspicious activity. Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service (offered by credit bureaus or third-party providers) to get alerts about changes to your credit report.
We can help you learn more about safeguarding your financial information and securing your accounts. Our experts are here to help! Call us at 1-888-254-9500, come in to your local branch and speak with your personal banker, and view more resources available to you within our Security Center, Articles & Insights For You, and on our FREE Banzai Financial Wellness center!
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