The U.S. Postal Service is warning customers about a surge in smishing scams, where scammers send fake text messages claiming package delivery issues to steal personal information. The USPS emphasizes that it never requests personal data via text, email, or phone calls. Customers are advised to use legitimate tracking methods like Informed Delivery for package updates.
Carlos GrandaThe U.S. Postal Service is warning customers to be wary of a common text message scam known as smishing.
Millions of greeting cards and gift packages are making their way through the U.S. Postal Service system in the next few weeks. But scammers are taking advantage, and customers need to be on the defensive.The most common message: one informing the recipient that one of their purported packages can't be delivered until the sender of the text message gets more information from them. Don't click the link -- it's fake.The agency is warning about this.
"Those particular types of text messages, those types of correspondences are trying to gain information from customers -- their personal data," said Natashi Garvins of the U.S. Postal Service. She emphasized: "So, again, the Postal Service does not attempt to attain customers' personal information through text messages, emails or phone calls."
But the Post Office does have legitimate ways to track customers' packages -- and it's free. One is byAnother is called Informed Delivery -- where customers receive an email showing their mail and packages as they get scanned. Customers can"If you want to get tracking statuses, Informed Delivery of the way to go. Our text messages that you received from Informed Delivery -- they will not ask you for personal information," Garvins said.
For customers who did happen to click the link in a nefarious text message or give out any personal information, officials urge
Smishing Scam USPS Package Delivery Text Message
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